In the small town of Lanjaron in Granada, Spain, a peculiar law has technically prohibited residents from dying for more than two decades. The unusual rule, introduced in 1999 by then-mayor Jose Rubio, was enacted as a tongue-in-cheek response to a very real and pressing issue: the town's cemetery had reached full capacity, and there was no available land at the time to build a new one.
“It is hereby forbidden to die in Lanjaron,” the edict stated.
The directive, though humorous in tone, was issued during a critical time when municipal officials were actively searching for land to construct a new graveyard. Rubio’s message was intended as both a symbolic gesture and a means to underscore the urgency of the problem.
“I am just a mayor. Above me there is God, who is ultimately the one who runs things,” Rubio had remarked at the time. “Everyone has taken the edict with a sense of humour and a strong desire to comply with it.”
The unusual approach appeared to resonate with residents, who appreciated the satirical response to the bureaucratic deadlock. However, it remains unclear whether the issue was ever properly addressed. As of 2025—more than 26 years after the edict was first issued—Lanjaron reportedly still had only one cemetery.
Aside from this bizarre legal relic, Lanjaron otherwise functioned as a normal municipality with a population of approximately 4,000 people. The town, situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Alpujarra region of Granada, is widely known for its mineral-rich springs. These springs have long attracted visitors in search of therapeutic treatments for ailments such as digestive issues and rheumatism. Lanjaron’s historic spa, or balneario, founded in the 18th century, continues to be a key destination for health and wellness tourism.
In recent times, the town has gained popularity among Gen Z travellers, particularly on platforms like TikTok, as a peaceful alternative to Spain’s more crowded tourist hubs like Barcelona and Majorca.
Lanjaron is also renowned for its cultural celebrations, most notably the Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon (Water and Ham Festival). Held annually around 24 June to coincide with the feast of San Juan, the event sees locals and visitors engage in a massive water fight, drenching each other in the streets in honour of the town’s aquatic heritage.
The local economy is largely supported by its water industry, agriculture, and tourism. Lanjaron is known for producing almonds, olives, and grapes, while its wines and hams are considered regional specialities.
Interestingly, Lanjaron is not alone in its “no dying” decree. The town of Longyearbyen in Norway has upheld a similar ban since 1950. In that case, scientists discovered that bodies buried in the region’s subarctic conditions failed to decompose properly. Alarmingly, they were able to retrieve live samples of the 1917 influenza virus from preserved remains. To mitigate the risk of potential disease outbreaks, Longyearbyen’s cemetery was closed to new burials, effectively rendering it illegal to die there as well.
While both towns instituted their respective bans under very different circumstances—one symbolic, the other scientific—the oddity of declaring death illegal continues to fascinate observers and travellers alike.
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