La Lonja de Restábal - Old fish Market
We love visiting monuments when on holiday. I feel sure you would like to discover another Lecrín Valley monument when you visit Restábal. This one is particularly interesting, there aren’t many villages that can boast about their old fish market – La Lonja in Spanish! Look out for it on your way down the Calle Iglesia to the village's lower quarter - "barrio bajo·.
La Lonja at the end of Calle Iglesia. The stone wall is possibly part of an old Nasrid defense tower
Located on the Calle Real, the old road from Granada to the coast, this small building, La Lonja, is something of a mystery. Little is known about its origins, although it is believed it was built as a fish market around 1930.
Looking up Calle Iglesia from inside the old market
However, a recent restoration uncovered what must have been the village fountain. You can clearly see the three holes for what would be the three pipes in the sandstone masonry on the back wall. Above these one can just make out what could have been the royal coat of arms. It is thought that this wall was part of an old Nasrid defence tower. For many years, the Calle Real – Royal Road – was the passage for fishermen and travelling salesmen from the coast to Granada, so it seems logical to find a fish market built by the fountain.
Notice the holes in the wall where the pipes for a fountain would have been
It is very likely that the fountain dates from the 18th century, when noble families from Granada built their summer houses in Restábal. There are several houses in the vllage boasting coats of arms. one of them on Calle Real itself, at number 17, with the coat of arms of the Sáez-Diente family. We found a reference to this house in the ancient land register of the Marqués de La Ensenada in the Historical Archive in Granada.
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The Old Lonja on the Calle Real, now restored
The only fountain existing today in Restábal is very close to La Lonja. Walk down to it on Calle Fuente Baja that leads down from Calle Real.
Read more about the Valle de Lecrín in the official website of the Lecrín Valley Tourist Association – Turismo Valle de Lecrín
Test and photos by Susan Walker
For the best holiday in the Lecrín Valley, remember that on the Lecrín Valley Tourism website you can book your accommodation, your activities or your restaurant directly with the owners. Who better to help you plan everything? And without any commissions!
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