BOLINCHES AREA

Bolinches is an ancient hamlet belonging to Valdeganga, situated at the confluence where the Valdemembra River meets the Júcar, forming the picturesque Charco Azul (“Blue Pool”). A landmark of great local significance is the La Teja spring; historically, it was vital for the community, serving as a source of drinking water, a communal laundry, and an irrigation supply for the market gardens that stretch 10 km downriver to Puente Torres. At its height, Bolinches supported 200 families, many of whom resided in traditional cave-dwellings carved into the cliffs.

Beyond its natural charm, the site reflects industrial heritage with a dam built to power the Bolinches hydroelectric plant. Adjacent to the dam, there is a fish farm managed by the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha.

The area is also a treasure trove for history enthusiasts. On the high ground overlooking the river lies the “La Morra” archaeological site. Dating back to the Bronze Age, excavations here have recovered artifacts such as bowls and pottery, now displayed in the Albacete Provincial Museum. Further remains from the Iberian period have also been identified, marking Bolinches as a site of continuous human settlement over millennia.