Calicasas
Calicasas is also known as La Campana Granadina (Bell of Granada) because the bells ringing in the Alhambra Palace in Granada could also be heard in Calicasas. The village has narrow streets, and the Arroyo Bermejo (Bermejo River) runs through it. It is an ideal destination to explore the countryside. Calicasas has approximately 600 inhabitants
History
There are signs of the passage of different civilisations in Calicasas. It is acceptable to suggest that some of these civilisations, whether settling or just passing through the old Iberian Peninsula, left their mark on the land and contributed to its history.
The discovery of a tomb inscription in Latin confirms the existence of Roman settlers, and what is now known as Calicasas began as the ancient Roman town of Calicatro. During the Moorish period it was named Quarynat-Al-Qannar, together with the place name Galiqayay, which in Arabic means Houses of the Rooster. It was after the expulsion of the Moors that it was called Cal y Casas, referring to the numerous lime kilns that existed in its jurisdiction. The fountain of Vitar, the source of the ravine of the same name, formerly supplied water to the population.
Things to see
Acueducto Árabe
The Acueducto Árabe (Arab Aqueduct) preserved remains are in two segments. Built of medium-sized masonry, the extent of this hydraulic conduit covers a total length of about 120m, with a height of just over 5m and a width of approximately 1.5m. There is a well-preserved semicircular arch in one section, which is believed to have been created in the first half of the 17th century to carry excess water from the Acequia de Morox de Cogollos to the lands of the Chaparral farmhouse in Albolote, which belonged to the monastery of La Cartuja. The area is known locally as Los Arcos (The Arches).
Antigua Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
The Antiqua Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario (old church of Our Lady of the Rosary) was built in the 16th century in Mudejar style and corresponds to a typical rural church construction, characteristic of eastern Andalucía. It had a rectangular floor plan, a single nave covered with a trough-shaped framework of Moamares limes, quadrants in the corners, and admirals at the end of each side, with three paired braces on corbels. As a small church, it appeared as a rural dwelling, with a simple, whitewashed access door to the interior with sparrow-beaked eaves and finished with an Arabic tile roof. The robust tower, three stories high, was attached to the temple with semicircular openings where the bells were housed. Today, this tower is the only thing remaining of the original church. However, what was formerly the main nave has been converted into an original central square for the town and the location for the new church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Located on Calle Granada .
Natural Areas
Sierra de Huetor Natural Park
Designated as a natural park in 1989, the 12,128ha Sierra de Huétor is only a few kilometres northeast of the provincial capital of Granada, so it is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers. The mountainous area has dramatic geological features characteristic of limestone areas, with narrow ravines, steep cliffs, springs, and caves, such as the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave). The most famous spring is the Fuente Grande (the Fountain of Tears) or Aynadamar, according to Arabic terminology, in Alfácar. The Moors cleverly used the spring as a water source for the Albaicín town in Granada, transported via an irrigation channel.
Cueva de los Cañones
The Cueva de los Cañones (Cave of the Cannons) is located northwest of the town and was built to house cannons and weapons during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Estanque del Coronel
The Estanque del Coronel (Colonel’s Pond) is a reservoir built by a former resident of Calicasas, who was a colonel in the army. It is located northwest of the town and supplies water through drip irrigation to hundreds of olive trees in the area.
Los Pinos
Los Pinos (The Pines) is a green area of mainly pine trees planted by residents of Calicasas decades ago. Near Los Pinos runs the Bermejo River, which flows into the Cubillas reservoir. In the past, around the river and in Los Pinos, the pilgrimage (a gathering that takes place on the last Saturday in August) was celebrated, commemorating the patron saint festivities of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Located northwest of the town.
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Calicasas to Granada City .More>
Gastronomy
When visiting Calicasas, try local dishes such as potajes de garbanzos y trigo (chickpea and wheat stew), costillas de cerdo con setas (pork ribs stewed with wild ceps), chuletas de cordero (lamb chops), granadinas de vaca y rodillos de ternera (beef stew) and ajoblanco (chilled garlic and almond soup). Sweet treats include tarta de manzana (apple pie), tarta de almendras (almond tort), leche frita (fried custard), roscos de huevo (doughnuts), and flan con bizcocho (egg custard with sponge cake).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Calicasas are Corpus Christi (Body of Christ), Día de la Patrona (Day of the Patron Saint), and Fiestas en Honor a Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Festivals in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary). More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Calicasas.More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Calicasas is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Calicasas are Güevéjar and Cogollos de la Vega.