Molvízar: History, Hiking Trail and Choto Tradition

Culture and History

Molvízar is home to the parish church of Santa Ana, whose construction was commissioned by Charles III in 1785. The church is a neoclassical work by the architect Ventura Rodríguez. The parish church also contains a 16th-century crucifix. Thus, three clearly identifiable historical points of reference come together in one place: the commission to build it in the 18th century, the architecture of Ventura Rodríguez and a sacred work of art from a significantly earlier period.

La Compañía is also part of Molvízar's history. The estate was formerly owned by the Society of Jesus. Its historical status is part of its significance: La Compañía refers to former ownership and not to a current ownership arrangement.

Another historical trace can be found in the megalithic complex of Loma del Cerrajón. The archaeological site dates from the Neolithic and the Copper Age and is of particular importance for Andalusian prehistory. The documented history at this site therefore reaches far back before the construction of the Church of Santa Ana and before the Roman period.

Archaeological Traces and Viticulture

The Roman villa of Loma de Ceres in Molvízar existed from the 1st to the 4th century AD. It was not a single residential building without any wider context, but an agricultural complex used for wine production. Its commercial use included the manufacture of amphorae. The site therefore combines a long Roman period with agricultural use and the vessels produced for marketing its products.

The three aspects of the villa – its Roman date, its agricultural character and its wine production – belong to the same archaeological trace. The amphorae add the aspect of marketing to this context. Loma de Ceres thus represents both the chronological classification of the site and its surviving production and trade connections.

Hiking and Landscape

The Sendero Sierra del Chaparral can be started at the entrance to Molvízar via the Río del Pueblo path. This path begins behind Molvízar's municipal cemetery. Both details form part of the starting point of the route described: the Sendero can be reached via the Río del Pueblo, and the path begins behind the municipal cemetery.

The Sendero Sierra del Chaparral passes through a landscape characterized by limestone geology and dense scrubland. Its route also includes walls and paths elaborately built from the available stones. These stone elements should not be viewed separately from the trail, but as part of the hiking experience, which consists of the route through limestone geology and scrubland as well as the walls and paths.

The available stones shape the walls and paths of the Sendero. Their elaborate construction is documented just as the landscape features of the trail are. Thus, the route refers both to the geological surroundings and dense scrubland and to the stone-built structures.

Local Tradition

At a competition, participants prepare choto according to the traditional recipe of the municipality of Molvízar. The preparation is therefore tied to a competition and to the municipality's traditional recipe. The culinary choto tradition in Molvízar attracts dozens of visitors every year.

Molvízar also has a living tradition with a history of more than 135 years. This time span represents the tradition's long history in Molvízar. Together with the choto competition and the municipality's traditional recipe, it forms part of the town's local cultural references.

More Destinations

Other places to explore in Andalusia include Sorvilán, Ogíjares, Láchar, Diezma, Darro, Cijuela, La Taha and Dúdar.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Granada.