The municipality of Letur covers about 265km sq. of varied landscape and environment, in the extreme south of Castilla La Mancha. Along with 11 others towns and villages it makes up the Association of Sierra del Segura de Albacete.

    History and heritage. Along with a variety of pre-Roman settlements, the existence of caves and rocks outcrops with ‘Levatine art’ cave painting indicates the level of human activity in this area, the settlements having been facilitated by the abundance of water in the streams and tributaries of the river Segura plus the mild climate of the eastern Mediterranean.

The limestone outcrops above a base of clay, and the close proximity to springs and the surrounding fertile plains have made Letur, the main town in the area, such a strategic place for continuous settlements.

    The legacy of 800 years of Arab settlement has clearly left its mark in the resulting medieval street pattern. Several successive waves of resettlement and the final re-conquest by the Christians in the 15th and 16th centuries gave rise to the typical ‘Portalicos’, water channels, fountains, market gardens and view points – all of which contribute to the character of Letur and ultimately result in it’s declaration as an Area of Historic and Artistic Interest.

    Within this wide variety of popular and individual architecture several buildings stand out. For example, - the Church of our lady of the Ascension (‘la iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción’), completed in 1526 in the late gothic style with a renaissance façade; the Town hall (‘Ayuntamiento’) of the same period; and the ‘Hermitage del Alto’ with a beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling, located in the ancient Jewish quarter which is believed to be a former synagogue. 

    Several other places also stand out in the region, such as the enclaves and pretty villages like ‘Riópar veijo’, Ayna, the cave paintings of Nerpio, the turrets and castles such as those found on the Nerpio Estate (‘la Dehesa de Nerpio’) and in Yeste, - also the churches and monuments of Lietor and Yeste.

     Countryside, flora and fauna.Given the overall extent of this area the variety habitat is significant. Elevations range from the lowest level of 400m by the river Segura to the highest part in Peña de Águila (Eagle Heights) at 1,307 metres above sea level, near the borders with Murcia.

    Riverine vegetation dominates not only the two rivers Segura and Taibilla but also the many streams of the area around the La Dehesa, La Abejuela and Letur village areas, with Poplar, Wild olive, Walnut trees and an abundance of pine from the Mediterranean mountains. There is also a strong presence of holm oak and the indigenous Sabina albar (Juniperus thurifera) which uniquely inhabits the ‘La Fuente de Sabina’ area.

    The whole area is blessed by the combination it’s climate and variety of elevations that result in a continual staggered progression of flowering and fragrant plants throughout the year, with near complete range of aromatic herbs, beginning in March with rosemary then following on with thyme, lavender, marjoram and sage through the season until autumn.

    The growing variety of fauna is a result of protection by the authorities. Otters are found in abundance, along with numerous species of fish in the rivers such as trout and barbell and a great variety of squirrels on the banks. Meanwhile, in the mountains we find mountain goats and the greatest density of wild boar in the area, and above us in the skies, a great wealth of birds of prey especially eagles.

     A photographic tour of the area shows us the great beauty of the area from variety of notable positions such as ‘El Regaliz’ or El Llano de la Vida’ from where we can fully appreciate the confluence of the Letur stream with the river Segura and views of the village. The slopes of El Collao Blanco dominate the areas of ‘La Abejuela’ and the stretches of the river Segura.  ‘La Sierra de Zacatín’ has a wide view of the whole area of La Sierra with a dominion of one hundred-year old native (autochthonous) trees. ‘La Sierra del Tobar’ with a view of the beautiful area of ‘La Dehesa de Letur’ and it’s places of special interest.
    

    Activities and sports. You will find a complete range of outdoor sports in the Letur region, - all surrounded by stunning landscapes and natural beauty. 

    Outdoor group sports. Walking and rambling along numerous paths and tracks and routes of varying grades of difficulty, fishing in private river reserves and general fishing in rivers and lakes, hunting, horse trekking, mountain biking, caving and cave diving, canoeing, swimming in the natural lakes or the municipal pool, and a variety of sports at the sports centre including basket ball, indoor football, tennis, ‘frontón’ and ‘frontenis’ .

    The tradition and cultural heritage, the gastronomy and tranquillity are the signatures of this area. The first things to sample are our many civil and religious fiestas of the town and area, - the precessions, the fairs and the bull running.  Meat and produce from the land united by Moorish flavours in ‘toñas’ (local pastries), macaroon biscuits or meringues.  Everywhere peace and tranquillity surround our reading, music, conversations and thoughts.

   This is truly a place of refuge from where you can take tourist or cultural visits through this varied Mediterranean corner of Spain, Andalucia and central Spain.