Juviles – Historic Paths and Mountain Landscape

Townscape

Juviles is laid out as a linear village along the provincial road. The village is divided into the clearly distinct districts of Barrio Alto and Barrio Bajo. The town centre of Juviles and the land below it belong to the Historic Site of La Alpujarra.

You can access other places via these direct links: Fuensanta, Gójar, Bácor, Pinos Del Valle, Laroles, Freila, Villanueva De Las Torres and Zagra.

Getting There

The route to Juviles follows the A-4132 from Órgiva to the Portichuelo de Cástaras, and then continues along the A-4130.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de Juviles is a rural Mudéjar church building dating from the mid-16th century. It was extended in the 18th century. The Torre e Iglesia de Juviles is designated as Area 27.

The archaeological site of El Fuerte in Juviles is designated as Area 30. The site contains scattered prehistoric and Roman remains, with traces of wall paintings and cisterns. It also preserves the remains of water basins, wells and several channels within a possibly fortified complex. El Fuerte is the ruin of a Mozarabic fortress built in the 8th century. The historical traces visible at the site therefore range from prehistoric and Roman remains to the ruins of a Mozarabic fortress.

The Ermita de las Ánimas de Juviles is located 300 metres from the town centre. It is the only hermitage in the municipality. The Lavaderos de Juviles are a representative architectural monument of traditional life in the region.

Paths

The Camino Viejo between Juviles and Tímar is designated as Area 9. It is approximately 3.5 kilometres long. The path is mostly paved and historically served the movement of people, livestock and carts.

The Ruta Medieval is documented in the 16th-century land survey books. Section Tramo 4: Nieles-Juviles is 6.5 kilometres long; a duration of two hours is given for it. The GR-7 long-distance trail continues in the direction of Juviles. The historic paths are thus characterised both by their documented use and by their differing route lengths.

Landscape

At 2,299 metres above sea level, Pico de Fuente Fría is the highest peak in the municipality of Juviles. From Pico de Fuente Fría, you can reach the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The Barranco de los Molinos is a scenic gorge with holm oak vegetation, riparian woodland and scrubland.

Festivals and Cuisine

In Juviles, the Fiestas de San Sebastián are celebrated on 20 January. The Fiestas de la Virgen del Rosario take place in August without a fixed date and include, among other things, a procession. The traditional performance Moros y Cristianos, which recalls earlier battles, is still held.

Juviles cuisine is particularly distinguished by its air-dried hams.

For the higher-level travel overview: Granada.