Lanjarón's Fountain of Eternal Youth and Its Water Festival

Published on January 18, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Aerial or panoramic photograph of the white village of Lanjarón, Granada, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. In the foreground, an ancient stone fountain or people participating in a joyful water battle in its cobblestone streets.

The Fountain of Eternal Youth in Lanjarón and Its Water Festival

In the Granada municipality of Lanjarón, known for its waters, a popular tale circulates. A hidden fountain in the village could grant perpetual youth to anyone who tastes its water on the eve of Saint John. This myth, passed down from generation to generation, defines part of the local character and attracts travelers seeking the legendary spring. 💧

Aerial or panoramic photograph of the white village of Lanjarón, Granada, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. In the foreground, an ancient stone fountain or people participating in a joyful water battle in its cobblestone streets.

A Celebration That Mixes Water, Ham, and Tradition

To honor this belief, the village organizes the Water and Ham Festival every year. The main event is a great water war in the streets, where residents and visitors join in an atmosphere of fun. The event combines this game with tasting the serrano ham from the region, uniting the two pillars that give it its name. 🥓💦

Key Elements of the Festival:
  • Collective Water Battle: Everyone participates by getting wet in a playful and symbolic act.
  • Gastronomic Tasting: Local ham is offered, an emblematic product of the region.
  • Cultural Fusion: An ancestral ritual is blended with a modern popular celebration.
"The only immediate rejuvenating effect is feeling like a child again, even if just for a day and with soaked clothes," participants comment humorously.

The Ritual of Saint John's Eve

Searching for the rejuvenating spring focuses on the magical night of June 23 to 24. The tale claims that its properties only work at that precise moment. Although no one claims to have achieved immortality, the gesture represents hope and the place's connection with its mineral-medicinal waters, which are already bottled and sold. 🔍

Characteristics of the Myth and Its Context:
  • Specific Moment: The magic only works during Saint John's night.
  • Symbol of Hope: More than a fact, it is a metaphor for the connection with nature.
  • Real Basis: It is supported by the historical fame of Lanjarón's healing waters.

Myth, Identity, and Tourist Appeal

This oral legend not only endures but is revitalized with the festival. It gives Lanjarón a unique identity and generates tourist interest around the mystery. The celebration allows experiencing the tradition tangibly, where water ceases to be just a resource and becomes the thread of a collective story. The search for the eternal fountain, in short, reflects the human desire for the enduring, celebrated with joy, water, and good ham. ✨