Yes, Fuente Agria’s Back! Actually, the name should be a bit of a give away (Bitter Spring), because the much-loved water that flows from this much-loved spring has a very metallic taste – the locals swear by it, nevertheless.

I remember when I first came out here a Spanish family took me up into the Alpujarra and made a point of stopping there. “What do you think? Great, isn’t it,” asked my enthusiastic guide. Actually, my thoughts were, “Wierdo,” but I just winced and agreed instead.

Anyway, reminiscing apart, the point is that the spring was rendered unserviceable, thanks to the persistent winter rains, but after long-awaited repair work, it is now accessible again.

The Pórtugos village council spent 35,000 euros from the Central Government’s Plan-E funds, not only on restoring it, but on improving it, as well; more waterspouts, for instance, have been added.

“It’s the most visited place in the Alpujarra. We have improved access by widening the stone steps and making each step lower,” explained, glowingly, the Vice-Mayor, Javier Vázquez.

The reason that this spring – tucked behind the Ermita Virgen de las Angustias, and a little way off from the Chorrerón – is so popular is because its mineral-loaded waters are considered medicinal.

[mappress]Back in 1790, the parish priest for Pórtugos sent several letters to the Madrid-based geologist, Tomás López, requesting him to carry out a geographical and historic survey of the Alpujarra. In one of these pesky letters he mentioned Fuente Agria, which he praised for its health-producing waters – he died shortly afterwards… Nah, just kidding!

Anyway, the persistent priest claimed that, “People from all across the kingdom, and even from abroad come to partake of its wonderfully salubrious water.” In short, the priest, Father Antonio Pérez Barquero, claimed that it cured everything from flatulence to heretical thoughts, bless him.

The fact remains, though, if you can get over its taste, which is similar to ‘sucking on a copper penny’ then Fuente Agria is just the ticket for a spot of healthy slurping.