Ugíjar: Cultural Heritage and Routes of the Alpujarra

Culture and History

The Franciscan Convent of San Juan Bautista de Ugíjar was effectively founded on September 5, 1646. The Franciscan Convent of San Juan Bautista is the only surviving example of conventual architecture in the Alpujarra of Granada.

The Centro de Patrimonio Cultural de La Alpujarra displays an ethnographic collection. The items in the collection include examples of beekeeping, carpentry and metalworking. Other areas of the collection are textiles, basketry and pottery. Agriculture, viticulture and livestock farming are also represented. The collection thus encompasses both craft activities and areas of rural production and daily life.

The Centro de Interpretación de La Alpujarra addresses geography and history. The cultural and ethnographic heritage of the Alpujarra is also included among its subject areas. Alongside the church in Pitres, the Iglesia Ntra. Señora del Martirio is one of the few surviving churches with a Gothic-Mudejar structure in La Alpujarra.

Routes and Landscape

The Sendero SL-A 205 Ugíjar–Cuesta Viñas crosses the Río Ugíjar. As it continues uphill, it passes through the Barranco del Diablo in the Terrera de la Cará. The Cueva de la Muela can be seen there. The route therefore combines the river crossing with the ascent through the ravine and the visible cave space in the Terrera de la Cará.

The Sendero SL-A 205 Ugíjar–Cuesta Viñas leads to Cuesta Viñas. This area has mineral medicinal waters.

The medieval Cuevas-Silos de la Cará were used by the Moriscos. They were used during the Alpujarras War of 1568. They served for defense, as a hiding place and for supplies. The three stated functions – defense, hiding place and supplies – are part of the historical use of these artificial structures.

The artificial Cuevas-Silos de la Cará are visible from Ugíjar. They are located about 200 meters from the town. Ugíjar lies in the heart of the comarca, where the routes of the Sierra meet those of the Alpujarra Baja and the coast.

Festivals and Traditions

ExpoAlpujarra takes place every year during the long weekend of the Immaculate Conception in December. The event showcases tourism, handicrafts and traditional products of the Alpujarra.

The traditional Fiesta de la Parva on the threshing floors of Cerro de Ugíjar includes bringing in barley and wheat. The festival also includes threshing and winnowing. Traditional music and homemade tapas are likewise part of the fiesta.

The Feria y Fiestas Virgen del Martirio in Ugíjar has been celebrated as an annual festival since 1606. It is held in honor of the Virgen del Martirio.

Further Destinations

Other directly linked destinations include Iznalloz, Zafarraya, Los Balcones, Lanjarón, Huéscar, Trevélez, Loja and Alfacar.

Bodega Dominio Buenavista offers tours year-round. These tours are intended for at least 15 people. They take place by prior reservation. The year-round availability, minimum number of 15 people and prior reservation are conditions of these tours.

To the main travel overview: Granada.