The first recorded evidence of this town dates from the Al-Andalus period, documented by the twelfth century geographer Idrisi, which inscribes it within the Urs al-Yaman region as one of the twenty castles in the territory. At the time of Al-Andalus, the town was located in a higher area than its present situation, called lugarejo. The author, Jorge Lirola, says that Íllar comes from the Arabic word al-Aliya, meaning “the high”.

The Tourist Office is located in the Town Hall of Terque, opening from Monday to Friday.

Festivals in Terque are Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa, Fiestas de la Santa Cruz, Romería de San Isidro, Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol, Jornadas de Oficios Antiguos, and more.

The first cultural settlement of Terque is likely to have been prehistoric, evidenced by the millenary cave town found by the occupants of the Millares, heirs of the Neolithic culture. However, Terque was formerly known as Marchena.

The Tourist Office is located in the Town Hall of Santa Cruz de Marchena, opening from Monday to Friday.

Festivals in Santa Cruz de Marchena are Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa and Fiestas Patronales en Honor a San Agustín

Santa Cruz de Marchena originated in the Al-Andalus period. It was known as Haratalgima, which translates as “mosque district”, due to the location of the high mosque. Together with Bolodu, it made up the Area of Alboloduy. With the Christian conquest, it was one of the first mosques to turn to the Christian faith with the name of Santa Cruz (Holy Cross).

Santa Cruz de Marchena is one of southern Spain’s typical whitewashed villages, surrounded by plots of orange trees and vines. The Plaza Durcal and its neighbouring areas offer the most interesting historical and artistic heritage in the village. It has about 210 inhabitants.

Found on the banks of the Andarax River, Rágol is surrounded by large eucalyptus trees and is famous for its grapes and raisins. It has about 315 inhabitants. The origins of the town are difficult to determine, although some 20 castles were established in the ninth century to colonize the Marchena area.

This simple model of a Mudejar church, with a single nave drawer plan, was not always so minimalistic. Built in 1530, it managed to survive the Moorish rebellion, various fires and an earthquake, until it was moved to another location. However, during this journey, it lost the back section of the sanctuary and the main chapel, and was reduced to this simple temple.

The Tourist Office is located in the Town Hall of Rágol, opening from Monday to Friday.

Festivals in Rágol are Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa and Fiestas en Honor al Patron San Aguapito.

This Almeria part of the Alpujarras is less well known than the Granada Alpujarras to the west. Both parts share the same characteristics and historical origins. They are the sheltered southern facing slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Walking through the streets of Terque, visitors should look out for the bourgeois houses that were the product of mining in the Sierra de Gádor and the exportation of dessert grapes. It has about 370 inhabitants.The first cultural settlement of Terque is likely to have been prehistoric, evidenced by the millenary cave town found by the occupants of the Millares.

Paterna del Río is the home of the unique recreational areas of Fuente Agria and Guarros, also known as the Baños de Santiago, the thermal waters of which are said to be particularly effective on skin complaints. It has about 370 inhabitants. The name of Paterna seems originate to in Paternum or Paternus, although the remains of Iberian swords found in the Gaviarra mines cast doubt on this assumption.

Although small, Padules offers many highlights including an exciting natural environment to explore and its whimsical church, which features armchairs made from the trunks of chestnut trees. Visitors to Padules shouldn’t leave without trying the rosé wine made from a traditional recipe. It has about 410 inhabitants.

Ohanes was the residence of the Catholic Monarchs when Boabdil (the last King of Granada) was overthrown by the Christians. It has about 580 inhabitants. The first evidence of human presence in the area dates back to the Neolithic era, in the so-called Culture of the Caves, where the Nieles and Almecena caves particularly stand out. Ceramic and imprint remains from the fifth millennium BC have been discovered.

Instinción is a former Arabic village situated on the south bank of the Andarax River, midway along its course. It has about 450 inhabitants. The name Instinción is believed to be of Latin origin, dating from the time of Augustus, in Romanized Hispania. However, is has also been argued that Instinción was the name of a Muslim Princess from the Nasrid family.

Once a major producer of dessert grapes, the agriculture of Íllar is now focused on citrus fruits. The town has around 390 inhabitants. The first recorded evidence of this town dates from the Al-Andalus period, documented by the twelfth century geographer Idrisi, which inscribes it within the Urs al-Yaman region as one of the twenty castles in the territory.

Huécija is a typical alpujarreño village with notable features including the Convento de los Agustinos and its beautiful tower. It has about 480 inhabitants. The origin of the village’s name is not known with any certainty, however, it is thought to be either Latin or Arabic. During the Arab-Andalusi period, the town was called Guacimora, Güecixa and Güecija.