HISTORY
The town is located in the southernmost part of the Sened, at the point where the Mediterranean and Atlantic watersheds meet. Rainwater from the former flows to the sea via Almería, while rainwater from the latter flows to the ocean via the Fardes and Guadalquivir rivers. Thanks to its abundant water and significant mineral wealth, its strategic location has played a prominent role since prehistoric times. Evidence of human settlement dates back to the Argar period, as demonstrated by the discovery of numerous artefacts and graves in the local area.
However, the town's name originates from the Arab period and refers to the breaking up of the ground and
subsequent flow of water. During the Islamic period, the town was characterised as a fortress, and a castle called Reniha or Guenichea was built. Boabdil notably stayed in the Huéneja farmsteads from 27 September to 3 October 1490.
Due to its peripheral location in the Sened, it was not always included in the Zenete. During the
Reconquista, the Catholic Monarchs took control of the area in 1491. On 20 June 1492, King
Fernando granted the town to the governor of Fiñana, Don Álvaro de Bazán.
The Catholic Monarchs made another grant to Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar y Mendoza in
recognition of his services during the Granada War. This was a momentous occasion for the area,
as it restored the political and administrative unity that the area had enjoyed under Muslim rule.
Due to its peripheral location in the Sened, it was not always included in the Zenete. During the Reconquista, the Catholic Monarchs took control of the area in 1491. On 20 June 1492, King Fernando granted the town to the governor, Don Álvaro de Bazán. The Catholic Monarchs made another grant to Don Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar y Mendoza in recognition of his services during the Granada War. This was a momentous occasion for the region, as it restored the political and administrative unity that the area had enjoyed under Muslim rule. Following the Morisco rebellion, in which the inhabitants of Zenete played an active role, the subsequent expulsion of the population led to a significant loss of population and the abandonment of some highly profitable traditional activities. As in the rest of the Marquisate, the population declined sharply after increasing steadily from the mid-eighteenth century onwards. However, a significant migration of inhabitants occurred in the 1960s, reducing the impact until the 1990s.