Zafarraya: Karst Landscape, Nature and Culture

Nature and Karst

The Polje de Zafarraya is a closed, flat-bottomed karst depression; in its two directions, it extends approximately 10 km from east to west and 3.5 km from north to south.

The two measurements describe the basin’s different dimensions: its longer axis runs from east to west, while the shorter one extends from north to south. The approximate figures preserve the character of a spatial orientation rather than that of an exactly surveyed boundary.

The water in the Polje de Zafarraya is absorbed by one or more ponors, that is, natural sinkholes. The karst depression thus defines a landscape in which water disappears underground.

The ponors mark the transition between the visible depression and the underground watercourse. Their function is therefore directly related to the geological description of the Polje de Zafarraya and explains its designation as a karst landscape.

At the Mirador del Polje de Zafarraya, there is a car park and an information board about the Polje de Zafarraya. The viewpoint offers views southwest across the karst basin.

The car park, information board and view across the basin are all part of the same local facilities at the viewpoint. The view is explicitly directed towards the southwest and relates to the karst basin.

Access to the Sumidero Antoñico is open and free of charge. The sinkhole lies next to a paved local road.

This describes both the access status and the location of the sinkhole: the Sumidero Antoñico is not situated away from an unnamed area, but next to a paved road at the local level.

Up to seven bat species occur in the ZEC Sierra de Loja. The protected area of Sierra de Loja, designated as a ZEC, extends across the municipalities of Loja, Salar, Alhama de Granada and Zafarraya and offers, among other things, opportunities for hiking.

Hiking in El Llano

The “Paseos por el Llano” route uses a dense network of rural paths. This network provides access to various areas of El Llano.

The circular walk is therefore connected to several rural paths within El Llano, rather than mentioning only one named section. Its geographical reference remains El Llano with its various areas.

The Camino de Lucena is part of the “Paseos por el Llano” circular walk. The Pozo de los Muertos can be visited on the way to the cemetery of Zafarraya.

The Camino de Lucena and the Pozo de los Muertos name two further established designations within this network of paths. The Pozo is located on the way to the cemetery of Zafarraya.

San Marcos

Hornazo and Roscos de San Marcos are typical foods associated with San Marcos. On 25 April, there is a communal outdoor lunch attended by the residents of El Llano.

The festival thus combines the foods mentioned with a communal meal outdoors, in which the residents of El Llano participate.

Other places in the same wider area include Pinos Puente, Juviles, Huétor - Santillán, Albuñuelas, Benalúa De Las Villas, Brácana, Guájar-Fondón and Gorafe.

History and Historic Sites

The Centro de Interpretación del Terremoto del Poniente shows how the severe earthquake affected the Poniente de Granada. The earthquake occurred on 25 December 1884 at 9:08 p.m.

The exterior area of the Iglesia Vieja is freely accessible.

For the wider travel overview: Granada.