Vélez de Benaudalla: Jardín Nazarí, Castillo de los Ulloa and Routes

In Vélez de Benaudalla, the Jardín Nazarí is catalogued as a historic garden among the cultural heritage assets of cultural interest of the Junta de Andalucía. The complex combines a residential building arranged around a central courtyard with a garden consisting of three orchards. An irrigation channel from the Paseo del Nacimiento runs through the Jardín Nazarí and supplies both the orchards and the mill.

Culture and History

The Castillo de los Ulloa was rebuilt as a military complex in the 16th century. Its layout is irregular and heptagonal. In 2003, the castle was opened to the public as the Vélez de Benaudalla Cultural Heritage Interpretation Centre; it houses a permanent exhibition. The town’s church is an 18th-century Neoclassical church. It was designed by Ventura Rodríguez and completed in 1778.

The Fiestas de San Antonio de Padua have their main celebration day on 13 June. The festivities include a performance of Moros y Cristianos. A craft tradition is also associated with the town: the leaves of the palmetto plant were traditionally used in Vélez de Benaudalla to make brooms.

Paths and Walks

The Ruta Las Torcas is a 5-kilometre circular route with a low level of difficulty and can be walked year-round. The Ruta la Haza del Señor is also known as the Sendero de las Minas and, by contrast, is a 20-kilometre linear route with a high level of difficulty; it too can be walked year-round. The Ruta de los Molinos is considered a walk of approximately two and a half hours.

The Ruta del Nacimiento passes by the Lavadero del Alambique and the Nacimiento spring. It then follows the irrigation channel. The Ruta la Explanación-Río Guadalfeo leads to the Explanación, also known as Playa de Vélez, which is considered a recreational area for swimming and families.

The Ruta del Barrio Árabe is a walk through the narrow, whitewashed streets and small squares of Vélez de Benaudalla. The Ruta de los Molinos leads to the Molino de Abarca. The associated cortijo is considered to have been restored and was formerly equipped with a bread oven.

Nature

The route to the Fuente del Algarrobo leads after approximately 2 kilometres to the Barranco del Algarrobo on the western side of the Sierra de Lújar. The municipal route to the Fuente del Algarrobo reaches the spring via an uphill path after crossing a national road. Speleology is practised in the Tajo de los Vados area, including at the Sima Redonda and in the Cueva del Barranco de Iñate.

Geographical Location

The A-44 motorway runs above Vélez de Benaudalla. It has two access roads to the town.

Other Places

Other places in the same destination area: Purullena, Ugíjar, Alcudia De Guadix, Quéntar, Pinos Genil, Bubión, Alfacar, Cónchar

For the overarching travel overview: Granada.