SUFLÍ
Suflí is famous for its fritá, made using tomatoes and peppers which are roasted in the traditional way before being bottled in a local factory and sold. This products is the basis of the Suflí economy. The village has around 200 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Sfloy, Sofli and Suflí are all toponyms of Arabic origin that mean “those below”. Like all the towns in the region, the main settlement of the village was formed in the Al-Andalus period, and affected by the fifteenth-century Christian conquest, the sixteenth-century Moorish uprising and the subsequent expulsion of the Moors from the Kingdom of Granada.
The population of the village is likely to have peaked at the beginning of the twentieth century, however, since then it has undergone a gradual decline, with mass emigrations during the 1930s, 50s and 60s.
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia Parroquial
The parish church is situated at the highest point of the town. Its existence is recorded as early as the second half of the sixteenth century in historical documents. It consists of a large central nave with high walls divided into two spaces by means of a series of columns that define a lower aisle with a lower ceiling that connects the entrance door of the church with the sacristy. At the front and bottom of this central nave is the main altar, presided over by the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Right in front of the main altar, at the opposite end of the nave we find the small spiral staircase that goes up to the church tower, passing before the gallery which holds the church organ. All the light of the church comes from the high windows located on the main altar and the gallery. In 1911, an important reconstruction of the church took place that changed, among other things, the situation of its tower. The façade and roof of the church were also restored during these alterations. Located in Plaza de la Constitución.
Ermita de San Roque
The chapel is situated on the cusp of the small hill that presides over the entrance of the town. Its location reminds believers of the need to rise above the material miseries of Earth, seeking the purity of heaven. The construction took place at the end of the eighteenth century. The building consists of a large central nave fronted with an image of San Roque. Located on Calle Valle del Almanzora.
Ermita de la Santa Cruz
The chapel is situated in the western vertex of the south side of the town, on the so-called “Rambla de los Yesares” , at the beginning of the newly opened “Las Yeseras” trail of Suflí. It is a simple building, but still holds a picturesque appeal. Inside the hermitage, there is a bare cross, which is veiled on the 2nd May and is surrounded by amazing bouquets of flowers. Equally unique is the small door of the chapel, crowned with adobe bricks arranged in an arch. Located in Plaza la Cruz.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Mirador de Sulfí
This spectacular viewpoint offers panoramic views over the Almanzora Valley. Located off the A-334.
NATURAL AREAS
Paraje de las Yeseras
Here, visitors can find a disused old gypsum quarry that has now become a tourist attraction. Next to the quarry are the furnaces where the stone of the plaster was cooked to turn it into a building material. According to older locals, the entire quarry was a single bell-shaped cave where workers could carry out their work sheltered from the inclement weather. However, this old bell arrangement disintegrated with the collapse of the entire roof. Inside that ancient cave, there are other caves which, although smaller, are still of considerable magnitude. Located 1km south of Suflí, off the Camino del Suflí a Tahal y Almería.
Balsa de la Zanja
Most of the irrigated water for surrounding land comes from the Balsa de la Zanja. Next to it is the recently restored lavadero (laundry area) intended solely for recreational purposes. Located east of Suflí.
HANDICRAFTS
Marble is the centre of the arts and crafts community of Suflí – but, as throughout the Almanzora district, it also forms a central part of the local economy.
GASTRONOMY
However, Suflí’s fritá is the undoubted main attraction of the village. This tomato and pepper dish is available canned or bottled in the local shops. It can be eaten by itself or as an accompaniment to any of the other local dishes including migas (fried bread served with pork) and olla de trigo (wheat stew). Sweet treats include roscos de naranja (orange biscuits), suspiros (meringues) and roscos de anís (aniseed biscuits).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Suflí are San Luis, Cruces de Mayo and Semana Santa. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Suflí are Purchena, Sierro and Armuña de Almanzora.