The village of Orce in the province of Granada is my favourite local village. It is situated approximately 950 metres above sea level so lacks the humidity of coastal resorts and has the traditional Andalucian charm of an unspoilt village full of friendly locals.
Orce is surrounded by mountains and has a beautiful town square where you can sit and watch the world go by – from little children being taken out to play to elderly retired men having a change of scenery from their houses and an escape from their wives, sitting chatting animatedly about everything and anything.
The village has around 1,400 inhabitants and is an exceptional place in Europe to study the last four million years of geological history. The most significant find in the area has been a burial area containing the most well preserved remains since the discovery of Otiz the Prehistoric Ice Man found in Northern Italy in 1991. The archaeological museum is of great interest to many visitors.
Orce has everything you could need – shops, a weekly market, wonderful churches, doctor’s surgery, banks and a wonderful spring water swimming pool said to have healing properties… it cured my eczema so I am a great believer! You even have to share with the pool with the local fishes…. you can´t get more eco-friendly and natural than that.
Orce is a wonderful village with a welcoming atmosphere, set like a charming jewel set amongst the stunning mountain ranges of the Sierra Maria.
By Sally Ann Crane