In Cánovas, esparto brings together a distinct cultural focus and a local history dating back to Roman times. The material features in a collection at the local cultural center and in the procession on the afternoon of Holy Saturday. Also of interest are the Ermita de San Francisco de Asís and a named hiking trail. If you would like to plan your stay around cultural interests, these topics offer different points of connection. When planning, practical considerations include the dates of festivals, access to the museum, and trail conditions.

Esparto as a local cultural focus

The Museo del Esparto is located in the local cultural center. It displays around 500 pieces in two rooms covering approximately 60 square meters. The entire collection was made and designed by Cándido García. Esparto works include a donkey with a cart, a Nativity scene, and various Holy Week procession groups. Figurative works are thus displayed alongside religious scenes. If you are planning a visit, check the current access arrangements in advance.

The procession also has a specific connection to the material: on the afternoon of Holy Saturday, procession groups and figures made of esparto by local resident Cándido García are displayed in Los Cánovas. The patron saint festivals in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi take place in early October. Specific dates and programs may vary for both events. So check the dates and the program for each event if you would like to plan your trip around a festival.

Local history and the hermitage

Los Cánovas emerged around the 17th century along the important Vereda from Cartagena to Lorca. The Ermita de San Francisco de Asís in Los Cánovas is a religious building from the early 20th century and is considered the settlement’s first religious building. This provides two distinct historical points of reference: the settlement’s origins along an important Vereda and the much later religious building. Visitors interested in architecture and local religious history will find a specific point of interest in the hermitage, without needing to conflate the two periods.

Trails, landscape, and older traces

The PR-MU 98 route runs from Villa Eulalia to Cuevas de Reyllo. On the way to Cuevas de Reyllo, it crosses the Vereda de Los Cánovas near the houses of Emilia. The named starting point and destination give the route a clearly defined course. Before setting out, we recommend checking the current signage and trail conditions.

The Sierra de Carrascoy lies near Los Cánovas and is considered an area for recreation and excursions. It offers a different landscape experience from the specifically named PR-MU 98: the route runs between two named places, while the Sierra is described as an area for recreation and excursions. When planning, you can therefore decide whether you would prefer to follow a set route or explore the surrounding area.

Roman archaeological sites add to the cultural picture. There are Roman-era archaeological sites in Cueva Pagán near Los Cánovas; other such sites lie near Los Muñoces. Together with the settlement’s history, the hermitage, and the esparto works, this gives the area a historical span from archaeological traces to local religious and craft traditions.

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