Benamaurel
Benamaurel sits at a height of 723m above sea level, covering an overall area of some 130km2 and spread over a series of gullies, split into Benamaurel and its surrounding hamlets: Puente Arriba, San Marcos, Cuevas de la Blanca, Huerta Real and Cuevas de Luna. Situated on an inlet between the Guardal River and the gorge, the area is reminiscent of Tolkein’s Hobbit landscape, with the majority of caves dwellings carved out of the rock face. It has about 2,500 inhabitants.
History
Benamaurel is divided between its main village and its various outlying hamlets. Located on an islet between the Guardal River and the Cañada stream, it is mostly made up of cave dwellings. There are remains from the Argaric period, as well as vestiges from the Iberian and Roman periods, including the passage of the Via Herculea (later the Via Augusta), and Visigothic remains in the Cañada del Salar and the Silos plain. From the Arab period, there are numerous Almohad caves dating from the twelfth century, the era in which Benamaurel is mentioned by Abi Mohamed ben Rozac in his writings. In the thirteenth century, a castle was built to defend the territory from the troops of Fernando III. More>
Things to see
Casa Consistorial
A former inn of the Casa de Alba, a nineteenth-century building, dating from approximately 1840. It is constructed of brickwork, forming sections filled with rammed earth, originally a single dwelling, it is now divided into two. Its interior has undergone numerous transformations due to adaptations for different uses, making it difficult to imagine its original layout. The façade is structured in three distinct sections separated by cornices. The upper floors each have three symmetrical openings, with balconies on the first floor and windows on the second, both framed.
Both the construction system and the building elements are typical of vernacular architecture, and none of them possess any artistic merit. It is currently the Town Hall. Located in Plaza Mayor.
Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asunción
The church was built in 1520 on the site of a former mosque. It consists of a single nave with four chapels opening onto the left wall through semicircular arches connected in pairs. After the coffered ceiling was lost in a fire in 1837, the church was covered with a wooden structure that it still retains today. Located in Plaza Mayor.
Things to see outside the town
Torre el Torrejó (Torre de Castril)
An Arab-era watchtower, cylindrical in shape and circular in plan, 4.25m in diameter. It is constructed of medium-sized, rectangular stones laid in courses, fitted with flagstones and held together with thick mortar joints of gypsum and lime. No apparent traces of exterior plaster remain. It has a preserved height of approximately 3m, although part of it may be buried. Located north of Benamaurel.
Torre de Cuevas de Luna
A Moorish-era tower with a rectangular floor plan measuring 6.20x4.80m, its longer dimension oriented northwest-southeast. It is constructed with rammed earth walls, 55cm thick, filled with layers of earth and compacted lime. It retains its original face on all four sides, plastered with white lime mortar. It stands approximately 2.50m tall, and some complete remnants of the formwork pins remain. It is very similar in construction characteristics and dimensions to the nearby Torre de Garbín in Baza. Located north of the town.
Ermita de San León
San León has been the patron saint of Benamaurel since ancient times. Already in the Ensenada Cadastre of 1752: a treatise on the general responses of Benamaurel compiled by Don Antonio Montalvo, several properties belonging to San León appear. The Granada Gazette of 1864 places the chapel 1km from the town.
Ermita de la Virgen de Cabeza
In 1880, the chapel which had been rebuilt, had an old sacristy made by Don Ezequiel Cabrera of Vélez Rubio and later restored through the piety of the faithful and with 2,000 reales obtained from alms. It was repaired again in 1885 thanks to the zeal of Father Manuel Sánchez Segura (a native of Benamaurel), Don Juan Burgos Pérez, and Don Miguel Fábrega Castillo, due to an outbreak of Asiatic cholera. The current chapel was built while Father Juan Carrasco Díaz was parish priest of Benamaurel. It was blessed on April 30, 1972, by Bishop Dr. Dorado Soto. Located south of the town.
Countryside Walks
The surrounding area is also alive with nature, being within very close proximity of three Natural Parks: the Sierra de Baza and the Sierra de Cazorla. Also close by is the Negratin lake and the Jabalcon hills, making this one of the most beautiful natural spots in Andalucia and indeed in Europe. There are many lovely excursions on foot, bicycle or by car in the surrounding area:
Senda de Guardal
The Senda del Guardal is a 16km route that takes us into two areas of great ecological value that shape the territorial personality of Benamaurel: the valley of the Guardal River and the sub-arid zone of its ravines and canyons.
Ruta de las Cuevas de Luna
This route allows us to reach the Negratín Reservoir via an alternative path. It is an easy hike, suitable for walking, cycling, or driving. Walkers can admire a beautiful landscape, especially at sunset.
Ruta de las Cuevas de Luna
This route allows us to reach the Negratín Reservoir via an alternative path. It is an easy hike, suitable for walking, cycling, or driving. Walkers can admire a beautiful landscape, especially at sunset.
Ruta de las Cuevas del Negro
The route offers stunning views with the Jabalcón mountain range as a backdrop and can be done on foot, by car, or by bicycle. Along the way, walkers will see farmhouses like Gaitero, Cossio, and Nuevo, along with mills such as the Huerta de Morate mill (still in operation). This area is of great importance to the economy of Benamaurel.
Ruta de los Molinos
An easy route that can be done by bicycle or on foot. Along the way, walkers will see the Guardal River and some of the historic irrigation channels that were built by the Moors and are still used for irrigation today. Further along, the Jaufi Dam, from which all the irrigation channels in the area originate. This dam is situated at the foot of a cliff whose northern slope houses a stunning natural architectural ensemble: the Almohad caves of Las Hafas del Salto. At its eastern end lies the famous dovecote, as well as numerous other archaeological remains.
Handicrafts
In times gone by, farm implements were hand-made and nowadays it is mainly the older generation who make baskets and matting, etc. by hand weaving esparto grass.
Weekly Market
Every Sunday there is a weekly market, selling a variety of goods, local produce and handicrafts. In winter it is held in La Cañada and in summer in Calle Virgen de la Cabeza.
Gastronomy
Home-grown and home-cooking is the basis of the Benamaurel gastronomy. With an abundance of locally produced olive oil, wheat, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and capers, the cooking is as tasty as it is healthy, with many local stews and salads. Try the local pipirrana (based on a cucumber and tomato salad) which is often enhanced with fresh wild capers. Local sweets and deserts are delicious, with specialties such as borrachuelos (a kind of rum baba) at Easter. More about gastronomy.
Festivals
Popular festivals in Benamaurel are Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos, Semana Santa and Fiestas de San León Magno. More>
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Benamaurel to Granada City. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Benamaurel. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Benamaurel is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Benamaurel are Cúllar and Zújar.
Getting to Benamaurel
To get to Benamaurel by car, take the A92 motorway from Granada towards Murcia. After about 100 kilometres you come to Baza, where you take the turn off for Benamaurel, which is about another 10 kilometres. There are buses between Benamaurel and Baza running twice a day both ways (normally leaving at 08:00 and 15:00 and then coming back, leaving Baza at 11:30 and 14:00). The bus company is called Maestra. Ask for more information at the Benamaurel Town Hall. Tel: 958 733 011.