Among the many special places that Gata de Gorgos has, there is a place called the Font de la Mata area. Its more than ten centuries old and the nature that surrounds it create a perfect atmosphere to be a site worth visiting, especially at Easter.
What is
The Font de la Mata de Gorgos area consists of a natural space in which there is a stone fountain with six steps in the shape of a well. The cistern has dimensions of 11 meters long and 2,8 meters wide, and has two curved arches at each end, which provides a special characteristic to this place due to its historical and architectural value.
This fountain is surrounded by the element that gives its name to the place, the mata (lentiscus pistachio). There are two of these trees in the area and they emerge from the rocks at the top of the construction. Experts believe that these are the oldest bushes in the Valencian Community (they are about 600 years old) and possibly one of the oldest in Spain.
Location
The main route to access the Font de la Mata de Gata de Gorgos, of low difficulty, begins in Olivereta del Moro and has a distance of 3,5 km. Next to the fountain, hikers will find an old ruined farmhouse, owned by the same family that built the cistern.
If you follow the path that goes down to the source, you reach the place, which is set up as a recreational area, since it is frequently visited by families.
Furthermore, the route stands out for being on the itinerary of different routes by bike or on foot, which cross the Gata de Gorgos mountain ranges.
History
The fountain was built during the period of Al-Andalus in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically dating from the end of the 19th century. The family that lived in the farmhouse in the area built it to supply themselves with water.
For years, there has been a tradition in Gata de Gorgos for families to take their little ones to the Font de la Mata de Gorgos to eat the Easter cake there.
