Melegís among orange groves and cultural heritage

Melegís lies on the left bank of the Río Torrente, surrounded by orange and lemon groves. The village brings together religious architecture, a river landscape, viewpoints and regional festival traditions in its prominent landmarks.

Other places: Baúl, Almuñécar, Trevélez, Otura, Sorvilán, Moraleda De Zafayona, Escoznar and Orgiva.

Culture and history

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Evangelista in Melegís is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The church was built in 1560, combining Renaissance and Mudéjar stylistic elements. The preserved roof structure dates from 1599 and was made by the carpenter Alonso López Zamudio.

The building history therefore encompasses both the year the church was built and the later roof structure that has been preserved. Both dates are among the recorded features of the building, whose full name is Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Evangelista.

The complex therefore contains different chronological references: the construction in 1560 was followed by the roof structure from 1599, which has survived to the present day. The building elements also combine the aforementioned Renaissance and Mudéjar features with the craftsmanship of Alonso López Zamudio.

Views and landscape

The Mirador de las Alvirillas overlooks the Béznar Reservoir as well as Restábal and Pinos del Valle. Alongside the reservoir, this viewpoint therefore names three clearly identified destinations within its field of view.

The Mirador de las Alvirillas houses sculptures by the artist Elena Vicente. The works commemorate emigrants who left their homeland.

The Loma del Cementerio offers a panorama of the villages in the lower part of the Valle de Lecrín and of the entire Béznar Reservoir. The viewpoint therefore faces the lower valley area and the reservoir in its entirety.

The banks of the Béznar Reservoir and its confluence with the Río Torrente can be reached via paths. Another local landmark is the El Baño thermal spring below the cemetery, about 2 kilometres from Melegís.

Festivals and cuisine

At the Fiesta de la Naranja held in Melegís in March, Remojón is the main dish. It is prepared by women from the village together with the festival organisers.

In the Valle de Lecrín, including Melegís, preparing Remojón is customary. The salad consists of orange, onion and olives; fried cod and pieces of sun-dried tomato are also among its ingredients.

Traditionally, Remojón was prepared in winter. The Feria del Cítrico takes place in Melegís every year during the week before Semana Santa.

The festival traditions link the village with citrus fruit: the Fiesta de la Naranja is celebrated in March, while the Feria del Cítrico takes place every year during the week before Semana Santa. At the first festival, Remojón is the central dish, with ingredients including orange, onion, olives, fried cod and pieces of sun-dried tomato.

For the broader travel overview: Granada.