The Valley of the Eternal Father: A Haven of History…

The Valley of the Eternal Father: A Haven of History and Nature
The Valley of the Eternal Father is not a valley in the traditional sense, but rather a sheltered crevice in a majestic mountain. Its history is steeped in Arab influences, evident in the Cerro Negro irrigation channel – the most central of the three – in the Arab mill wheel still present in the watercourses, and in the layout of the altar in the old chapel, which resembles that of a mosque.
What makes this place unique is its development as a natural forest where life thrives in syntropy. Following a sudden exodus in the 1960s, the valley fell into neglect. However, the new settlers, inspired by the liberal ideals of the time, decided to cooperate spontaneously with the wild nature that was emerging. Decades later, part of the Valle del Padre Eterno has been transformed into a forest of native species, whose seeds were dispersed and nourished by the system of irrigation channels.
The absence of roads and cars, as well as of metal fencing between the farms, allows wild animals to move freely, enriching the ecosystem. Humans, essential for their work in irrigation and maintenance, blend into their surroundings in a symbiotic symphony of plants, mycelium and animals.
This diverse community, like the forest that unites it, is enriched by its diversity. The local residents call them ‘cats’, possibly because some of the irrigation takes place at night, and the early settlers, without torches, would have developed some sort of ‘superpower’. According to the saying, “those who irrigate using the surplus water from the Cachariche irrigation channel receive water from the moment the evening shadow reaches the junction with the Bubión road until dawn”. What happens when it’s cloudy? It’s a mystery. What is certain is that this place still needs people to maintain it and ensure its prosperity. It is one of those jobs that are nowadays described as “resilient to artificial intelligence” and impossible to mechanise.