Campotéjar: History, Festivals and Trails

At Plaza del Cristo de la Expiración stands the Pilar de Campotéjar, a fountain built in the 16th century. It was constructed when the Catholic Monarchs granted a royal livestock trail. An old inscription, six spouts and the coat of arms of the Marquises of Campotéjar characterize the structure. At the fountain, architectural history, the royal livestock trail and the memory of the marquises come together in a distinctive local landmark.

More local pages: Lanjarón, Zagra, Churriana De La Vega, Alquife, Las Gabias, Castilléjar, Murchas, Salobreña.

Culture

The history of the Iglesia del Cristo de la Expiración dates back to the 16th century; its construction took place in 1546/47. It was completed around 1754. The building is designed in the Mudéjar style and has a single nave, a side chapel, a bell tower and four altars. The structure thus combines its origins in the 16th century, an approximately dated completion and characteristic architectural elements.

In the last week of April, Campotéjar's patron saint festivities are held in honor of the Virgen de los Remedios. During the three-day Tiradores ritual, the Alabardero, the Tamborilero, the Tiradores with their carbines and the standard-bearers parade through Campotéjar, fire powder salutes and protect the Virgen de los Remedios during the procession. The festival week and ritual thus bring together religious devotion, a procession, defined roles and the route through the town.

In the wider region around Campotéjar are the Palacete de la Hilandera palace, the Palacio Del Cuzco palace, the Peña del Altar peak, the Peña de la Cruz mountain, the Fortaleza de la Mota fortress and the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación monastery. The palaces, peak, mountain, fortress and monastery represent different cultural and landscape reference points in the wider regional surroundings.

Nature

Cerro Castellón is home to a gypsum deposit and a prehistoric cave that is not open to the public. The ascent of Cerro Castellón is steep but considered safe, and the summit offers extensive views across the landscape. The gypsum deposit, prehistoric cave, steep ascent and expansive landscape views come together here in a shared mountain setting, while the cave remains closed.

Hiking

The Sendero Cerro Castellón Umbría Camino Basurero is a freely accessible local hiking trail for hiking as well as mountaineering and climbing. Its municipal section is 9,130 meters long. The trail thus combines a clearly named local route with hiking, mountaineering and climbing.

The Sierra del Trigo mountain lies in the vicinity of Campotéjar, as does the Alta Coloma mountain. The wider regional surroundings also include the Peña del Altar peak and the Peña de la Cruz mountain. The landscape references thus range from the mountains near Campotéjar to other peak and mountain destinations in the region.

History

Since 1758, Campotéjar has been located on the route connecting Madrid with Granada and Almería.

For the overarching travel overview: Granada.