Caniles
By Saskia Mier
Caniles is 911m above sea level and sits on the edge of a plateau, between the north face of the Sierra de Baza Natural Park and La Hoya de Guadix. The overall municipality stretches across some 220km2, and along with Caniles also comprises of nine hamlets: Balax, Cantarranas, El Francés, El Pertiguero, Estación de Hijate, La Juaca, Las Molineras, Los Gallardos, Los Olmos, Rejano and Valcabra. It has about 5000 inhabitants.
Things to see
Iglesia de Santa María y San Pedro
This sixteenth century church, completed in the seventeenth century (1642), stands on the site of Caniles’ former main mosque. Following the Re-conquista, two parishes were established; Santa María de la Anunciación in the upper part of town and San Pedro in the lower part, the latter now defunct. These two parishes merged in 1792, leaving only Santa María, now dedicated to both Santa María and San Pedro. In 1642, two side aisles were added to its single central nave. The central nave and main chapel are notable for their splendid Mudéjar coffered ceilings. The main portal is made of marble and flanked by columns. The exposed brick façade, typical of Granadan Mudéjar style, was plastered and painted in 1914. This church is a direct witness to the “Robo del Santo”, one of Caniles’ main festivals. Located in Plaza de España.
Centro de Interpretación Micológica
Opened in 2013, this interpretation center offers an engaging introduction to the importance of the Fungi kingdom and mycology as a science, highlighting both the ecological and gastronomic value of mushrooms and truffles, as well as the numerous applications of fungi in diverse fields. In addition to providing information about the fungi and mushrooms of the region, the “museum” organizes excursions to discover the mycology of the Baza region firsthand. Located on Calle San Sebastián.
Opening Times:
Monday-Friday
8:00-15:00
Tel:958 71 09 03
Ermita de San Sebastián
This chapel, built in the eighteenth century and situated on the site of a former Islamic cemetery, is Mudéjar in style, with a single nave. It served as a meeting place for the city councils of the nineteenth century. Recently renovated, it enhances the beauty of the Plaza de la Constitución, where it stands next to the Town Hall.
Mirador de San Marcos
Situated on the small promontory overlooking the Gállego River and the fertile plains below, its massive perimeter walls accentuate its role as a natural balcony offering beautiful views of this part of the municipality. Located on Bo. San Marcos.
Plaza de los Caños
The square has a fountain with water spouts emanating from it and collect in a large basin. The fountain has been transporting water from its source to Caniles since 1910, and for many years its inhabitants filled their jugs here to supply their homes, while the animals quenched their thirst at the basin. Located on Calle Rambla.
Pósito
Built in the eighteenth century, this building is notable for its main façade, which features a segmental archway at the entrance, decorated with the coat of arms of Carlos III, who commissioned its creation from a single piece of white marble. Over time, this building has served various purposes, including as a theater, a school, and the headquarters of the National Wheat Service for grain storage. Located on Calle Pósito.
Things to see outside the town
Torre del Moro
This watchtower, dating from the Moorish period, is cylindrical in shape with a circular base 5m in diameter. It stands on a square platform and is constructed of masonry, using large and medium-sized stones, and also features stone courses. It is 8.5m high and retains its exterior plasterwork and, above it, sgraffito decoration with circular motifs, perhaps created during the Christian era. The entrance is 5m high, with a semicircular brick arch. It has two embrasures opened after the tower’s construction. The chimney, which provides access to the terrace, is located to the southeast. The masonry vault covering the tower and the plasterwork of the interior walls are also preserved. Next to it, to the northwest, is a large pool. Located north of Caniles.
Fabriquilla del Oro
The building was used by the Arabs to wash and decant the gold they extracted from a mine with water brought through tunnels from Rejano. Between 1855 and 1866, Caniles experienced a period of great activity, fueled by a veritable “El Dorado” craze. At that time, several mining companies were formed, bringing together a large number of gold claims, of which the mining records for 477 have been preserved in the case of Caniles. Located south of Caniles.
La Azucarera
The “Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes” sugar factory in Caniles opened in 1901, following the expansion of the sugar industry in Spain after the colonial disaster of 1898 and as a consequence of the promotion of national industry. It remained in production until 1972-1973, at which point it closed after a failed industrial restructuring. Located north of Caniles.
History
The earliest evidence of human presence in the area dates back to the Paleolithic period, some 5,000 years ago. Various remains from this era were discovered in the early twentieth century in the Cueva de la Pastora (Shepherdess Cave) and at the prehistoric settlement of Los Montones de Piedra (The Stone Piles).
However, significant occupation of the territory began during the Roman period, when the gold resources of the Morax River were intensively exploited and the construction of canals for agricultural use in the valleys began, marking the emergence of the original settlement. This early village became the center of numerous villae, or rural estates, that utilized the area’s water resources to develop intensive agricultural activity.
During the Muslim period, the exploitation of gold resources continued, and the irrigation systems created by the Romans were expanded and improved, eventually forming one of the largest networks of irrigation canals in the former Kingdom of Granada.
In 1488, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Huéscar, Orce, Galera, Benamaurel, and Cúllar, and the Muslims of Caniles along with Abulcacin Haçeni, the town’s warden, peacefully surrendered the castle and town of Caniles to Íñigo López de Mendoza, Count of Tendilla, on June 13, 1489.
The nineteenth century began with the first minutes of the Town Hall meetings, dated 1832. This was a difficult time due to various epidemics that decimated the population. However, it was also a time of major public works projects, such as the construction of a gold-bearing sand settling plant on the banks of the Morax River, the railway line, and the sugar factory project.
In the early years of the twenty first century, new infrastructure has modernized Caniles, and the town that was home to emigrants in the 1960s has seen how in recent times it has been attracting people from other places, especially Latin Americans and Eastern European countries, in search of a better future.
Natural Areas
In the northeast of Granada province adjacent to neighbouring Almeria is the sparsely populated 53,649ha Sierra de Baza Natural Park, part of the Cordillera Penibética. Its steep slopes are mainly pine-clad, up to the more barren, rocky ground over 2,000m. Its central part is made up of remote, jagged limestone peaks, which can be snow covered for some of the winter and are inhabited by majestic birds of prey, like the golden eagle and another nine species of raptors.
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Canniles to Granada City.
Gastronomy
When visiting Caniles, try local dishes such as gachas (savoury porridge), gurupina (chorizo stew), fritá con setas y conejo (wild cep and rabbit stew), potaje de acelgas (chard stew) and gurullos con liebre (pasta and rabbit stew). For something sweet, try borrachuelos (liqueur sponges) and roscos de vino (aniseed biscuits).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Caniles are Día de San Sebastián, Carnaval, Semana Santa and San Antonio.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Caniles.
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Caniles is located in the Town Hall.
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Caniles are Baza and Escúllar.