What is happening in this parched Catalan town is symbolic of the way Spain is slowly drying up. Tourists would come here to relax in its spas because it was believed the water contained magnesium and was of medicinal value. Ironically, L’Espluga de Francolí, about 120km (75 miles) south of Barcelona, was once famous for its water. Now, even a genius might struggle to solve Spain’s climate problem. Up to 10 water trucks arrive every day, each carrying between 12,000 to 29,000 litres (3,170-7,660 gallons), to bring relief to a town where the underground aquifers have run dry.Īlbert Einstein visited the town 100 years ago during a tour of Spain. She stores water in basins to clean the dishes when running water is not supplied. Juanita Pérez in the kitchen of her bar, “Els Caçadors”.
We must adapt to our situation,” she told Al Jazeera. People didn’t always have running water in their houses. Juanita Pérez stores water during the day so she can clean the house or flush the toilet at night. Luckily, they have showers at the factory,” said Manuel Navas, who works in a paper mill. “I must get up to go to work at 5am so I cannot have a shower before leaving home. Spaniards eat late, so this affects many.ĭuring the day, villagers collect water in bottles or buckets to have enough for daily essentials. Like hundreds of towns across Spain, this municipality in the hills of Catalonia has had restrictions placed on the water supply.Īuthorities turn the tap off between 10pm and 7am (20:00 to 05:00 GMT), making it impossible to take a shower, clean, wash plates or put on the washing machine.
In past centuries, the town carried the original statue in procession to ask for rain. Father Antonio Rosario poses in the Old Church of Saint Michael next to a copy of the Holy Trinity. However, in this town, where no rain has fallen for more than a year, it is the people who are desperate for any sign of drops. Spaniards have a saying that during droughts, the trees chase after the dogs. Our need is so great,” Father Rosario told Al Jazeera. “I have already said prayers at Mass to ask for rain but this will be a ceremony, in which we will take an of the Holy Trinity from a hermitage outside the town and call for rain. The priest is to lead a special procession with an effigy of the Holy Trinity, reviving a tradition in L’Espluga de Francolí dating from the 18th century. L’Espluga de Francoli, Spain – Father Antonio Rosario will call on the Lord next month to open the heavens and bring some desperately needed rain to his parish.
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