BUSQUÍSTAR
Busquístar is located in a picturesque setting, nestled alongside the Trévelez River on the edge of the Sierra Nevada National Park. It was previously known as 'el paraíso escondido de los mozárabes', meaning 'the hidden paradise of the Mozarabic'. The entire village centre retains the typical Alpujarra architectural style, notably the 'terraos de Launa', with their narrow, flower-filled streets and 'tinaos'. From the village, you can walk to the Mosque (an archaeological site), where you can admire the ancient Tahá de Ferreira. The village has a population of around 350.
HISTORY
The exact origins of this village are unknown, but evidence suggests that it dates back to the 13th century. During the period of Muslim domination, Busquístar belonged to the 'yuz' of Ferreyra, and then to the Taha of Ferreyra. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, it belonged to the Tahá of Ferreira and, indirectly, to Granada. By the 19th century, it had passed from the jurisdiction of the judicial district of Albuñol to that of Órgiva. Busquístar was made up of several hamlets and a large number of farmsteads, all of which were densely populated. Its iron ore mines were in operation until very recently. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia Parroquial de San Felipe y San Santiago
The exact origins of this village are unknown, but evidence suggests that it dates back to the 13th century. The parish church of San Felipe and Santiago consists of a thirty-one-metre-long, six-metre-wide nave with six altars and some interesting statues, such as those of St Anne and the Virgin Teaching. About 150 metres from the church lies the Albaicín neighbourhood.More>
la Mezquita Hill
Near the town, on a hill known as La Mezquita, lie the ruins of an ancient settlement whose origins date back to the Visigothic period. From the summit, we can now enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding villages. In the mid-19th century, there were the walls of a mosque measuring twenty-four metres in length by four and a half metres in width at its summit.
Mines of Conjuro
The Minas de Conjuro was an opencast industrial mining complex located in the Sierra de la Contraviesa, spanning the municipalities of Busquístar and Almegíjar. Evidence of mining in the area dates back to the Muslim period, as demonstrated by the discovery of an Arabic oil lamp. Mining operations ceased in 1974. This led to a significant exodus of the population from Busquístar.
During their heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, the mines were the area's main industrial driving force, employing hundreds of locals. Iron ore was extracted by opencast methods from these mines and the ore was transported via an 18 km aerial cableway and wagons to the Rules Station, and from there by truck to the Port of Motril for the blast furnaces in Avilés. The site is currently listed as industrial heritage and lies in ruins. The Minas del Conjuro lie to the east on the other side of the River Travelez valley from Busquístar on the A-4130. (GPS 36.932195, -3.283706)
NATURAL AREAS
Sierra Nevada National Park
The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibética. The protected central area of National Park encompasses 85,883 ha of snowy summits, torrential rivers, sheer-sided gorges, stony scree slopes, glacial lakes. An outer protection ring denominated Natural Park of 86,335 ha between the National Park and the foothills such as Alpujarras in the south featuring cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables. Popular activities in the parks include skiing, hiking, mountain biking and summer camps. One can simply travel and discover its fauna and flora, see its lagoons and have an adventure in this vast area of land.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Visitors will find the area an ideal location for hiking or adventure sports, 4x4 routes and mountain climbing.
HANDICRAFTS
In Busquístar, ceramics are the typical craft, made by hand. Workshops exist here with potters who have worked in the trade for years; visitors can attend and create their own ceramic souvenirs.
BUS SERVICE
There are bus services from Busquístar to Granada and Alcútar. More>
GASTRONOMY
The typical dishes of Busquístar are cocido de hinojos (fennel stew), migas de sémola (fried semolina with pork rinds and sausage) and gachas con caldo de pescado (savoury porridge made with fish stock). Sweet treats include peñascos (almond sweets) and leche frita (fried custard).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Busquístar are Fiestas de San Felipe y Santiago, Fiestas en Honor a San Pedro y San Pablo, Semana Cultural and Festival of Jazz & Blues. More>
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Busquístar. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Busquístar is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Busquístar are La Tahá and Trevélez.
DIRECTIONS
Busquístar is 77k from Granada city. Take the A-44 (direction Lanjarón), then the A-348 and finally switching to the GR-421.