Haunted hotel in the old sanatorium of Sierra Espuña?

The former tuberculosis sanatorium in Alhama could be converted into a leisure and rural accommodation centre

Plans have been made public this week to transform the former tuberculosis sanatorium in the mountains of Sierra Espuña into a hotel, although many would think at least twice about spending the night in a building reputed to be one of the most haunted in the Region of Murcia.

Two years ago Murcia Today published a selection of the spookiest locations in the Region and the old sanatorium was placed at number 1, reflecting the fame (or infamy) it has acquired since it was built over 100 years ago. Throughout the western world in the early years of the 20th century many sanatoria were built to house and treat orphans, people suffering from mental illnesses and those with tuberculosis, and many of them have been the focus of eerie stories since they fell into disuse.

One of these was the Sanatorio de Sierra Espuña, which was built in the mountains of Alhama de Murcia in 1913 to offer a rest cure for sufferers of TB and even leprosy. In 1963 it became an orphanage and then later on a youth hostel, but its doors were closed in 1995 and it has remained empty since (despite plans announced in 2019 to convert it into a hotel).

During the intervening years, though, the sanatorium has been surrounded by rumours of a paranormal nature, with various unexplained sounds and sightings of ghostly figures in the building itself and the weeds around it. Reports include the experiences of guests at the youth hostel, who were terrified by doors opening and closing “on their own” and by the sight of a woman abruptly appearing and disappearing in the corridors.

The sanatorium is close to the village of El Berro, in the foothills of Sierra Espuña (click here for map).

We wrote in 2023 that “the reputation of the building would surely make any hotel chain think twice before venturing into business here”, but this week it seems that some people at least have overcome their trepidation and view the opening of a hotel as a viable option!

On Thursday the Committee for Industry, Employment, Trade and Toursim in the regional government unanimously approved a motion presented by PSOE member of parliament Lola Jara to rebuild and refurbish the sanatorium with the aim of using it for leisure and rural accommodation purposes. Sra Jara says that the “iconic building” deserves a new life in keeping with its privileged natural surroundings.

If this initiative goes ahead it will mark the end of a long period of inactivity at the former sanatorium. The shutters finally went down over 30 years ago albeit it was under vigilance until 1997, and although in 2008 there were proposals to turn it into a hotel complex that plan never flourished. It remains to be seen whether this latest move meets with more success, but in the meantime that it should be demolished.

And how many intrepid guests a would be tempted by a night in what would inevitably be known as the “haunted hotel” of Sierra Espuña!

For more information about Alhama, including news and upcoming events, visit the local tourist office or go to the home page of Alhama Today.