Palacio de Jacarilla - Sundial - Sundials on Waymarking.com

The sundial is just one of the many ornate features, adorned with ceramic tiles, to be found within the palace gardens. Unfortunately, the indicator is missing from the dial - it is hoped it will be replaced along with the refurbishment of the palace.

It was Don Bartolomé Togores, a nobleman closely linked to King Jaime I, who became Lord of Jacarilla in the latter part of the fifteenth century, that we have to thank for putting this agricultural settlement on the map. But in the early nineteenth century succession fell to the Marqués de Fontalba.

In the 1920s The Marqués de Cubas was Francisco de Cubas y Fontalba, who married Encarnación de Urquijo. The Marqués commissioned a grandioso palacio, a stately home with 28 bedrooms surrounded by over 20,000 m2 of exotic gardens with palm trees, hibiscus and other shrubs, together with the beautiful lilac Jacaranda trees. As with many stately homes, there is a grotto made of sea rocks dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena.

The Fontabla family were noble land owners who owned most of the land in the village for centuries. After his death in the 1930’s his daughter married and moved away. In 1947 the land was divided up and sold to the workers, bringing prosperity to the village. The main source of income has always been agriculture, especially citrus fruits, oranges and lemons. The gardens contain neoclassical style statues, with elements of Arabic and Renaissance styles also.

Alongside the house lies the magnificent church constructed in the neo-gothic style and dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Belén/ Our Lady of Bethlehem. There are fountains and small arbors to enjoy the gardens and to sit awhile and relax in the beautiful surroundings.

The large fountain is also Waymarked and there is a Geocache here too with others in the area.