The charming little European village where locals were once told to leave to avoid death

Europe has many well-known spa towns offering treatments to help with all kinds of health problems, as well as places to rest for anyone feeling tired or stressed.

Some of the most famous and historic include Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO site known for its hot springs and lovely buildings, and Budapest in Hungary.

The Hungarian capital is often called the “Spa Capital of Europe” because it has so many thermal baths.

But both of these places can get extremely busy because of their huge popularity. Anyone wanting a quieter and calmer setting might want to look at Lanjarón in Spain instead.

Set in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Granada, the village sits at the entrance to the Alpujarra region. It is also well known for its mineral-rich water and its long-established health spa, the Balneario de Lanjarón.

The village became widely talked about after a strange rule was introduced in 1999, telling residents they were not allowed to die.

This unusual ban was brought in by the mayor, José Rubio, after the local cemetery became full and plans to extend it were repeatedly delayed.

With no space left for burials, Rubio created the rule as a light-hearted protest to draw attention to the problem.

quickly spread through the news. At that time, the village was known for having one of the oldest populations in Spain.

Even though the rule was meant as a joke, many families were upset and started looking at burial options in nearby towns.

Local man Marcos Simon said the decision was a “publicity stunt”, although it did upset some people, and told Euroweekly: “Many of the villagers were extremely upset and frustrated because they had believed they had to find other areas where to bury their deceased.”

The cemetery issue has now been sorted out, but the “no death” order is still one of the most memorable stories in the village’s past.

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