Posted on 09/08/2025 4:12:12 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The town where death is not allowed
The town of Lanjaron where the villagers were not allowed to die. Photo credit: Saiko3P/Shutterstock
Situated 659 m above sea level at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in Granada, the village of Lanjaron is famed for its mineral-rich water sources, which have long been believed to promote youth and good health.
The town also has historical and cultural significance, having attracted visitors for centuries, including the renowned poet Federico García Lorca, who visited the village annually from 1917 until 1934. The people of Lanjaron are affectionately known as the Cañoneros (Gunners), a nickname that dates back to the Napoleonic Wars, when locals reportedly used artillery to defend their town. Ironically, centuries later they were given a different kind of notoriety with a decree issued in 1999 that officially forbade residents from dying adding a humorous twist to their enduring reputation as “undying” in spirit.
The unusual ban was introduced by then-mayor José Rubio after the local cemetery reached full capacity and expansion plans were delayed. With no space left for burials, Rubio’s measure was intended as a tongue-in-cheek protest to draw attention to the problem, instructing locals to “take the necessary measures to avoid death.” While the decree was satirical, it quickly became a headline-grabbing story. Lanjaron had long been regarded as one of the places with the eldest population in Spain, making the ban on death both ironic and striking.
At the time, Lanjaron was known for having one of the eldest populations in Spain, which made the announcement of a “no dying” law all the more ironic. In an interview for Euro Weekly News Marcos Simón, who has lived in Lanjaron all his life, recalls the confusion and frustration it caused: “The law was invented as kind of like a publicity stunt. It was very poorly done. Many of the villagers were extremely upset and frustrated because they had believed they had to find other areas where to bury their deceased. And even though it is true that Lanjaron didn’t have much space in the cemetery at the time and the law was a way of making fun of that, in some cases people were having to enlarge the family tombs that they were already using. But the ‘no dying’ rule created a lot of frustration and worry amongst the villagers, especially the elderly who didn’t understand it was a joke.”
His words reveal the unintended consequences of the decree. Families explored burial options in neighbouring towns or expanded existing tombs to prepare for the inevitable.
Lanjaron’s measure was not entirely unique. Similar symbolic bans have been used elsewhere in Europe when small towns faced full cemeteries or shrinking populations. In France, Le Lavandou prohibited residents from dying in 2000 to draw attention to cemetery space shortages, while Sellia in Italy issued a similar decree in 2015 as a protest against demographic decline. What distinguished Lanjaron’s case was its longstanding reputation for longevity, making the ban both humorous and newsworthy. The decree brought attention to a broader issue affecting many rural towns in Spain: infrastructure challenges in communities with ageing populations. The overcrowded cemetery in Lanjaron was emblematic of how practical problems can quickly become cultural talking points when highlighted creatively.
People collecting water from the springs
People come from all over Spain to get water from the springs that are said to be the key to longevity. Photo credit: Joserpizarro/Shutterstock The cemetery shortage was eventually resolved, but the “no death” decree remains a defining anecdote in the town’s history. Today, it is remembered with a mix of amusement and historical curiosity, a story that has become part of Lanjaron’s identity alongside its celebrated waters its Balneario and annual water festival. Comparisons with towns like Le Lavandou and Sellia show that humor is often used by local leaders to protest bureaucratic delays or draw attention to demographic issues.
These symbolic bans are not meant to be enforceable but serve as gestures to push authorities into action. In Lanjaron, the decree succeeded in making international headlines and highlighting a local problem, while also becoming part of the town’s lore. As Marcos sums it up: “Now the cemetery has space and it’s been expanded around the gardens, but at the time, many of us were angry and anxious due to the uncertainty. Now, years later, we look back and realise it became part of our story, and whether we like it or not, it made Lanjaron famous.”
So what is the penalty for breaking the law?
Execution, what else?
If I knew I was going to die in Jersey, I’d just never go there.
I would just never go there.
Sounds like a Twilight Zone episode. As long as residents never leave the village, they don’t die. How long would you want to live there?
Amen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.