The Minas del Agua of Torreperogil, located in the La Loma region of Jaén, have opened their doors to the public for guided tours during July and August. The local municipality is organizing these events to showcase the rich history of this underground site.
With roots dating back to the Roman era, these mines, accidentally discovered in 2009, have served various purposes over the centuries. Their complex structure, featuring multiple spaces and nooks, demonstrates how they were repurposed. Originally, they supplied water for nearby crops and homes, and during the Spanish Civil War, they were used as air-raid shelters.
The site preserves traces of its past, such as hollows for lamps that lit the galleries and remnants of brickwork used for reinforcement in the 19th century. The Santa María mine is notable for its impressive 800-meter long gallery, a silent witness to the history beneath the town's current houses.
Beyond their historical significance, the mines are home to unique fauna associated with subterranean environments, including gallipatos, small amphibians similar to salamanders, whose presence indicates the purity of the water still flowing through the galleries.
Guided tours will take place on July 11, 18, and 25, and August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, with morning (9:30 AM and 12:00 PM) and afternoon (6:00 PM) slots. The price is 28 euros per person and includes the guide. Registration is available through the Tourist Office at 621 15 68 05.
Visitors are encouraged to share their experience on social media using the hashtag #viajealcentrodelatierra to promote this unique underground aquatic paradise.
