Alicún de Ortega
The Battle of the Stones (Batalla de Piedras) took place in Alicún de Ortega in 1486. Christian troops defeated the forces of the Nasrid ruler of Granada and recaptured the town, paving the way for the Catholic Monarchs to reconquer the capital. The town has beautiful natural surroundings, perfect for hiking, such as the banks of the river and forest trails. The town has a population of around 560.
History
Archaeological studies suggest that people have inhabited the area that now constitutes the municipality since prehistoric times. Remains dating back to the Neolithic period, the Argar culture, the Iberians, Roman Hispania, the Arabs and the Castilians have been found. Several sources identify Alicún de Ortega as the site of the Roman villa of Acatucci, mentioned in the Itinerarium Antonini, which describes a Roman road connecting Cástulo and Acci. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that this route is described in several historical accounts. The Umayyads followed it from Mengíbar to Tíjola passing through Tíscar and Guadix during their campaign in the heart of Tudmir, as did Alfonso VII in 1147 en route to Almería. More>
Things to see
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación
The church dates from the end of the sixteenth century. Andrés de Ortega completed the building work in 1593, using part of the previous structure — a medieval church, which in turn was built on the site of a mosque. The church has a two-section nave with two windows on each side and four Renaissance-style niches. Only the ties remain of the original Mudejar coffered ceiling. The main chapel has a square plan and is covered by a dome on pendentives. It is separated from the nave by a lowered arch with a carved panel. The original Renaissance-style altarpiece is partially preserved. The church contains carvings of the Nazareno, the Virgen de los Dolores, San Juan Evangelista, San Roque and the Virgen de Fátima, all from the 18th century and made of polychrome wood. A sixteenth-century canvas depicting Ecce Homo also stands out. Located on Calle Cristo Rey.
Things to see outside the town
Castillo de Alicún
The castle is an interesting Nasrid-era fortress whose importance is associated with its position on the border. Alicún was first captured in May 1316, following the Battle of Peñas Bermejas, where the Christian troops led by Infante Don Pedro Ortega Fernández triumphed over the forces of Muslim leaders Ozmín "el Bueno" and King Ismael. During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the fortress was successively conquered and reconquered by both Christian and Muslim troops. Finally, in 1464, the castle fell into Christian hands and became the property of the Constable in 1465, playing a key role in the conquest of Granada. In 1498, it was demolished alongside other castles in the area. It was declared a Property of Cultural Interest with the legal typology of a monument and is thus listed in the BOE dated 29 June 1985. Located south of the town.
Natural areas
El Picón y Las Yeseras
The ancient sawmills, where many of the town's inhabitants lived, are still preserved today. The religious monument at the top of the hill is also notable. It depicts Christ, and it should be noted that the current sculpture is not the original, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. An anecdote from long ago tells of a strong electrical storm during which the sculpture's hand was struck by lightning, causing it to break. It is now preserved in the town hall.
Handicrafts
Handicrafts from Alicún are based around handmade esparto grass baskets, made by elderly locals in the town.
Bus Services
There is a bus service from Alicún de Ortega to Granada. More>
Gastronomy
The local cuisine is characterized by the simplicity of its recipes and the use of local products. The most famous dishes are hormigos (potato and chorizo stew), andrajos (pasta stew), migas (fried bread crumbs with chorizo) and gachas (savoury porridge). For something sweet, try roscos de vino (aniseed biscuits), alfajores (biscuits filled with caramel) and tortas de leche (sponge cakes).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Alicún de Ortega are Fiestas en honor a San Roque, Romería en honor a la Virgen de Fátima and Semana Santa. More>
Weather forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Alicún de Ortega. More>
Tourist office
The tourist office of Alicún de Ortega is located in the Town Hall. More>
Villages Nearby
The neighbouring villages to Alicún de Ortega are Dehesas de Guadix and Alamedilla.