El Angel picnic and recreation area in the Sierra Espuña
This is opposite the Sanctuary of La Santa
One of the most popular picnic and recreation areas in the Sierra Espuña natural park is that of El Ángel, opposite the sanctuary of Santa Eulalia, or the Santuario de la Santa.
The Sierra Espuña natural park covers an area of 17,804 hectares, of which 25,000 is in a central forested zone, spreading across the municipalities of Aledo, Alhama de Murcia, Totana, Pliego and Mula, and was replanted in the latter part of the 20th century, work beginning in 1889. The park was designated as a regional park in 1992 and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, some of which is protected, hence its ZEPA status as a designated protection area of birdlife and its LIC status.
Lighting fires within the regional park is strictly forbidden other than in specific, designated areas, of which this recreation zone is one.
The period during which the designated BBQ cooking points can be used varies from year to year, and they are generally closed off some time after Easter, re-opening in the autumn once the first rains have fallen.
El Ángel is easily reached from the roundabout in front of the sanctuary and is designated by the sculpture of an angel pointing uphill towards the viewing point above. This is by sculptor Nicolas Martinez, and points the way up the hill to a series of pieces by his son, Anastasio Martinez Valcárcel, who sculpted the Vía Crucis, which culminates in the monumental nine metre high Sagrado Corazón de Jesus dominating the surrounding countryside.
This is a stunning collection of curvaceous, sensual and elegant pieces, portraying the emotional story of the last days of Christ, set in the natural surroundings of the Sierra Espuña.
Although they were created in the 1960's, the works are fresh and contemporary and in spite of the marked contrast with the rocks and pines of the hillside, are at one with nature, their flowing lines complementing the smooth rocks and twisting roots, flowers and mosses which immerse them, rising from the foliage to project their message, then disappearing back into the landscape as the onlooker continues on the same journey followed by Christ in the last week of his life.
The first pieces of the sculptural trail can be seen amidst the picnic area, set between the trees and provide a picturesque backdrop for a picnic.
The walk up to the viewing point is just over one kilometre, and there is also a circular walking route up to the viewing point and around the back of it which covers around two and a half kilometres, both starting and finishing in the car park.
There is plenty of parking in this recreation area, but no services.
This recreation point is also extremely popular during the annual romería of La Santa, during which the image of Santa Eulalia is first carried down into Totana before returning to the sanctuary, accompanied by thousands of local residents who then partake in a family meal in both the Ángel and Grifo recreation points.
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