Montefrío: Churches, Fortress and Archaeological History

Architecture and History

The Iglesia de La Encarnación in Montefrío was built between 1786 and 1802. Its circular floor plan was inspired by the Pantheon of Agrippa, while the dome measures 30 metres across.

The Fortaleza Árabe was built in the 14th century on the orders of Abu Abdallad Yusuf as part of the Nasrid fortifications on the northwestern border of the Nasrid Kingdom. Today, a tower, cisterns and sections of the Islamic wall remain above the modern fortification.

The Antigua Iglesia de la Villa was built in the 16th century over the remains of the Arab fortress. As a Gothic-Renaissance church, it belongs to the churches of the “Siete Villas”, all of which are works by Diego de Siloé.

The former Iglesia de la Villa houses the Centro de Interpretación de la Última Frontera del Al-Ándalus, also known as El Centinela. Using audiovisual materials and information panels, it presents Montefrío’s medieval border history, including the last Muslim outpost in Granada and the region’s almost two-hundred-year conflict.

The Colección Museográfica Arqueológica de Montefrío in the former Casa de Oficios provides an overview of the prehistoric, protohistoric and ancient history of the province of Granada as a whole and, in particular, of the municipality of Montefrío.

The Pósito de Montefrío is a neoclassical grain storehouse built around 1795 and now houses the town’s cultural centre. The Iglesia de San Antonio, also known as “La Panera”, was built outside Montefrío’s city walls between 1737 and 1763. Its exterior façade is made of limestone ashlar blocks; the square tower has four sections separated by cornices and a pointed top finished with glazed roof tiles.

Archaeology and Trails

The privately owned megalithic necropolis of Peña de los Gitanos is accessible as part of guided tours. The Peñón de los Gitanos archaeological site documents settlements from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.

The Conjunto Arqueológico Peña de los Gitanos is a natural and archaeological area and a site of cultural significance recognised as an archaeological zone since 1996, a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). About five kilometres from Montefrío lies the Peña de los Gitanos archaeological complex with the prehistoric settlement of Castillejos; the area is suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding.

The municipal route programme lists PR-A 246 “Arroyo de los Molinos” as a 13.63-kilometre hiking route with an estimated duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes.

A viewpoint outside Montefrío on the road to Tocón offers a view of the Iglesia de la Villa, situated on a prominent rocky outcrop above the remains of a fortress, as well as the Iglesia de la Encarnación.

Montefrío is one of the most significant attractions on the Ruta de Washington Irving.

More Destination Pages

You can find more destination pages under Lanteira, Huétor Tájar, Cáñar, Huétor Vega, Alpujarra De La Sierra, Lecrín, Ugíjar and Orce.

Festivals and Regional Cuisine

“Ventolera” is a festival featuring various styles of wind music, held in the second week of July. The programme includes performances with participatory and educational activities, as well as gastronomic events and activities promoting the cultural and landscape heritage.

Montefrío’s Semana Santa includes the “Los Recaícos” procession on Good Friday. During it, the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno whispers a message to Saint John, who passes it on to Our Lady of Sorrows.

At the Noche de las Lumbres, various types of meat and local sausages are sampled in the light and warmth of the fire. During a celebration with traditional Candelaria songs, people dance around the fire and sing these songs.

Dishes visitors can try in Montefrío include sesos al mojeteo, remojón de San Marcos, choto con ajos, lomo de orza, as well as tortillas with local herbs and vegetables such as collejas or wild asparagus.

The olive oil from Montefrío has its own Denominación de Origen. Traditional local cheese is made from goat’s milk or blends of goat’s and cow’s milk.

The Centro de Interpretación Museo del Olivo provides information about olive cultivation in the province of Granada, as well as about the ethnography and characteristics of this form of cultivation, which is important to Mediterranean culture.

To the main travel overview: Granada.