VALLE DEL ZALABÍ
by Saskia Mier
The Valle del Zalabí area was formed in 1973 from the towns of Alcudia de Guadix, Exfiliana, Charches, and Rambla del Agua. The area has several cave-dwelling tourist accommodations and a population of around 2,300.
HISTORY
The history of Alcudia de Guadix dates back to the indigenous settlements that first appeared in the Zalabí area during the Argaric period. However, the town's most recent origins date back to the 8th century, when the Yunds from Syria settled in the nearby plain under Caliph Walid. A new settlement was established between the tenth and eleventh centuries..More>
THINGS TO SEE
Lavadero (Charches)
At one time, the public wash area served as a water supply for the town, a laundry and a source of irrigation for the surrounding valley. However, a nearby well had to be drilled due to the decrease and irregularity of the water flow, which ultimately led to the drying up of this historic fountain. It is located on Calle Sainz Pardo
Recinto Amurallado del Zigüeñí
The Zigüeñí archaeological site contains an area that must be studied individually due to its characteristics and layout. This is the upper plateau sector, which shows signs of medieval occupation. Various structural remains have been found here, including a section of wall that is thought to be a rampart. This human settlement was a fortified farmstead, where the rear walls of the dwellings formed the defensive wall and there was a single entrance gate. This repetitive pattern is similar to that of Castillejo de Los Guájares. The site was declared a Site of Cultural Interest with the legal classification of Monument, and was thus registered in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 29 June 1985.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Exfiliana)
This church has undergone so many transformations that only the traditional brick walls and masonry, as well as the adobe caissons, remain of its Mudéjar architecture.Significant reconstruction is evident both inside and outside the building, as can be seen in the masonry of the walls and the way the various rooms overlap.More>
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación (Alcudia de Guadix)
Construction of the church began in 1545, when Francisco Heredia demolished the old mosque. Francisco Roldán was entrusted with the work on the new church and was assisted by Ambrosio de Bonilla and Baltasar de la Hoya in opening the trenches and laying the foundations.More>
Iglesia de Santa María de la Piedad (Rambla del Agua)
The church is estimated to date back to the early nineteenth century. Built on the highest part of the village, it stands on a raised platform above the other houses, reflecting the aesthetic and religious standards of the time. Not only was the church a religious site, it was also a constant symbol of morality and faith. Facing north-south, the architectural complex consists of a two-storey plaza. The church is entered through a gate framed by a semicircular arch. The central nave is rectangular and divided into two levels. The altar is elevated above the rest of the building and contains a niche for the Virgin. Behind the altar is the sacristy, which also served as the parish priest’s residence in the past. The baptismal font is located on the right at the entrance to the church. The interior is supported by solid pine beams, each 10 metres long, which support a rustic pine coffered ceiling. The exterior is also gabled and covered in red tiles. A bell tower, notable for its purity of form and sobriety, crowns the architectural complex. The church is located in Barrio Rambla del Agua.
Ermita de San Buenaventura (Alcudia de Guadix)
In ancient times, a castle stood on the hill where the chapel now stands. Later, a cross was placed here. Around the year 1500, Alcudia was hit by a plague known as "tabardillos". The Saint was carried in procession to the hill where the cross stood and prayers were offered to him, after which the epidemic miraculously ceased. A chapel was built on the site of the cross in 1920. This remained there until 2002, when the Town Hall renovated it. The restoration project was designed by three priests from the town: Rafael and Manuel Varón Varón and José Mª Ortiz Valero. The chapel was blessed and inaugurated on 14 July 2002. The chapel is located in Barrio San Buenaventura.
Plaza de Toros (Alcudia de Guadix)
Bullfighting events are always included in the programme of major festivals, and, in exceptional cases, a bullfighting festival is held. Traditionally, these events were held in portable arenas and presided over by the authorities, the queen and the ladies-in-waiting of the festivals. Finally, in 1985, a bullring was built at the request of the then mayor, Juan José Fernández Martínez "Piropo", and the works councillor Torcuato Valenzuela Ruz "El Tato", with all the workers coming from the town. Measuring about 30 metres in diameter, it has capacity for around 3,000 spectators. The bullring is located on Avenida José Fuentes. Benalúa de Guadix. The three bullfighters triumphed, taking home the top trophies to the sounds of the Municipal Band. It is located on Avenida Jose Fuentes.
Museo Etnológico (Rambla del Agua)
The Ethnological Museum displays all forms of life in La Rambla de Agua and other areas of the Sierra de Baza, along with utensils, clothing, tools from various occupations, photographs, and more, as unique examples of mountain culture. This museum emerged as a result of a Pedagogical and Cultural Innovation Project, approved by the Regional Government of Andalucía and in accordance with the objectives contemplated in the new organisation of the Education System.More>
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Ermita del Zalabí y de la Virgen de la Cabeza
The chapel is a site with vestiges of the El Argar culture, a place where municipal lands were demarcated between some villages of the Marquisate and those that make up the Zalabí Valley. It is also a border area for dividing waters. The west wall, once the entrance to the chapel, is made of tapiar (mortar), and the remaining walls are whitewashed brick, which are newly built. The roof is made of unworked wood. In times past, it had a coffered ceiling. Next to the chapel, there is an esplanade of approximately 1,750m2, surrounded by pine trees to the north and west, and overlooking the valley to the south and east. It has two entrances: one for those coming from the valley, from Exfiliana and Alcudia, and another, behind the chapel, for those coming from the plains of the Marquisate. Next to the chapel runs a water channel whose waters, for some, are considered miraculous and for others, waters of exquisite quality. It once owned a small piece of land cultivated by the sanctuary worker for personal gain, along with an olive tree. This produced oil directly, serving to keep the lamps of the sanctuary of the Virgin alive. The chapel was restored 25 years ago and has been expanded, with the disappearance of some rooms, such as the sacristan’s quarters, where his family resided. It is located southwest of Alcudia de Guadix.
NATURAL AREAS
Tejea del Zalabí
If there is one determining factor that has allowed different cultures to settle historically in this municipality, it has been water, as historical accounts show. This culvert dates back to the eleventh century, during the Andalusian period, consisting of a hydraulic structure constructed using stones and chipping, until sufficient water was found to irrigate a spring or fountain.
Cuevas de los Anteojos
The troglodytic complex is situated on the left bank of the Guadix River, on the cliff where the plain and the valley break, opposite the town of Exfiliana. The complex, excavated in the cliff, is composed of several structures, including a troglodytic watchtower located at the northern end, and the Covarron-Refugio de los Anteojos, built on three levels. The doorway is raised about 2m, and is currently accessible through notches drilled into the wall, serving as a ladder. Once through the door, we find ourselves in a narrow, elongated room that, like a ramp, provides access to two tunnels connecting the rooms on the second level. The one on the right leads to a quadrangular room with various layouts. The one on the left, like a ramp, leads to another elongated room. Both are open to the outside. Towards the middle of this ramped tunnel, on the left side, there is a cat flap in a corner that leads to a trapdoor in the floor of the room on the third level. This space served as a refuge and a machicolation room to protect the entrance to the complex. The state of preservation of the monument is quite good, allowing for easy reading, although it is currently partially filled with debris from unfinished renovations.
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Valle del Zalabí to Granada City. More>
HANDICRAFTS
The craftsmanship of this town has historically been based on the work of esparto grass to make material for the animals, but as there are hardly any animals any more, the activity has declined enormously.
GASTRONOMY
Local dishes to try when visiting Valle del Zalabí include sopa con papas (potato soup), sopa de panecillos (broth with giant croutons), fritá de conejo (fried rabbit), ajillo de conejo (garlic rabbit), arroz con conejo (rice and rabbit) and rin ran (orange and cod salad). Sweet treats include buñuelos (dumplings), roscos fritos (aniseed doughnuts), borrachillos (liqueur sponge) and manjar blanco (cinammon custard).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Valle del Zalabí are San Antón, El Zalabí, San Marcos and Virgen del Rosario en Alcudia.More>
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Valle del Zalabí. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Valle del Zalabí is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Valle del Zalabí are Albuñán, Guadix and La Calahorra.