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There's a place in the hills of Jaén province that locals call the Bath of the Gods, and once you've seen it, the name makes perfect sense. The Amurjo pool in the municipality of Orcera is claimed to be the largest natural swimming pool in Europe, and it's the kind of discovery that makes you wonder why you haven't been before.

 

Fed by the waters of the Amurjo River, the pool stretches over 85 metres in length with depths ranging from a paddling-friendly 80 centimetres to a more substantial 2.30 metres, making it genuinely suitable for everyone. It can accommodate around 1,250 people, so even on a busy summer day it doesn't feel cramped.

 

The setting is what really elevates it. The pool sits within the Amurjo Pine Forest, surrounded by dense vegetation and tall pines, and the combination of cool natural water and woodland air makes it feel entirely removed from the heat of the day. Hiking trails and viewpoints are close by, and the surrounding Sierra de Segura mountains offer plenty to explore for those who want to make a full day of it.

 

On certain days during the summer, something rather special happens. A floating open-air cinema appears on the water, and you can watch a film from inside the pool itself. It's one of those ideas that sounds almost implausible until you're actually there doing it.

 

Entry is pleasingly affordable. Adults pay €4, children up to 12 and seniors pay €3, and the pool is open from midday to 9pm Monday to Friday.

 

It's the kind of place that tends to become a summer ritual once you've discovered it. Worth planning well ahead for the cinema nights in particular, as those tend to draw a crowd.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Amurjo