Castril
By Saskia Mier
Castril is one of the six villages which make up the Huéscar region set at an altitude of 890m and has been officially recognized as a place of historic interest. The Sierra de Castril is very popular in summer for outdoor sports such as canoeing, etc on the Bolera and San Clemente reservoirs. There is also caving, rock climbing, horse riding and mountain biking all within close proximity to the village. It has about 2600 inhabitants.
History
The history of Castril dates back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds in the area. During the Iberian period, the region was inhabited by the Bastetani tribe, who built a fortified settlement in the area known as “El Castellón”. This site was used by both the Bastetani and later the Romans as a strategic position due to its location on a high hill overlooking the Castril River. More>
Things to see
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
The church was built in the basilica style with three naves, constructed of ashlar masonry, resting on cruciform pillars separated by semicircular arches that run the length of the church. More>
Conjunto Histórico
In 1982, thanks to the preservation of its urban layout, Castril was declared a Site of Historical and Artistic Interest due to its historical, artistic, and scenic value. Its Peña (rock formation) has been listed as a Natural Monument in the inventory of the Regional Government of Andalusia since 2001 and is located within the town itself. More>
Castillo Nazari
The castle masterfully exemplifies the architecture of border castles during the Islamic period in Spain. Its strategic location on the rocky outcrop highlights the influence of the topography on site selection. Its structures, such as towers, walls, and gates, have been precisely adapted to the rocks, slopes, and promontories of the surrounding terrain. More>
Centro Andaluz del Vidrio
The Andalusian Glass Center is an initiative of the José Saramago Foundation Center in Castril. Following its mission to promote culture, it has taken on the challenge of reviving the town’s glassmaking tradition, which disappeared at the beginning of the nineteenth century, by creating the only center for artistic glass in Andalusia. Located on Calle Perea.
Antiguo Pósito
Also known as, Casa del Sol, the Antiguo Pósito houses the Municipal Tourist Office. From here, you can arrange guided tours of the castle and the Sierra de Castril Natural Park. You can also obtain information about accommodations, restaurants, and activities to discover and enjoy the area’s attractions. The same building also contains a small Ethnographic Museum and a room where you can watch an interpretive video about Castril Castle. Located on Calle Iglesia.
Centro Cultural José Saramago
The José Saramago Cultural Center originated as a foundation established in 2004 by José Saramago, Pilar del Río, the Town Hall, the Granada Provincial Council, and the University of Granada. More>
Natural Areas
Monumento Natural Peña de Castril
The Peña de Castril is a significant geological formation of remarkable singularity and beauty, rising almost 100 meters above the river to reach an altitude of 955m. It is listed by the Geological and Mining Institute as a Site of Geological Interest (AND321) and is included in the Andalusian Inventory of Georesources. It also possesses great cultural and historical significance. For all these reasons, it was declared a Natural Monument in 2001.
Reserva Natural Fluvial Río Castril
The Castril River Nature Reserve is representative of the Mediterranean mountain rivers of the Guadalquivir River Basin District in the province of Granada. The Reserve has a permanent pluvionival hydrological regime, generally exhibiting a high degree of naturalness. It flows mainly through a deep, narrow valley, with some sections where it widens, forming a narrow and discontinuous floodplain. The riverbed has a steep gradient in its upper reaches, while in the middle and lower reaches it is moderate. Furthermore, the river’s longitudinal structure is predominantly rapid and continuous.
Ermita de la Virgen de Fátima
Originally called the Ermita de la Acequia, it later became known as the Ermita de la Virgen Fátima, as it is known today. It is estimated that it was built around 1947 from donations obtained by villagers who went from house to house, asking each family to contribute what they could. Some donated materials, others money, some grain, and others their own labor on the church, and so on until its construction was complete. Located north of the town on Calle La Solana.
Sierra de Castril Natural Park
Designated a natural park in 1989, this rugged and spectacular limestone mountainous region in the north of Granada province, adjacent to the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park and part of the Sierras Bética, is exceptional for its geological features, with a dramatically eroded landscape of gorges, vertical cliffs, waterfalls and, below ground, numerous caves. It has abundant water, with an average rainfall of 700mm on its highest points, while many watercourses drain the area. There are also numerous springs and lots of waterfalls. The park has a total of 14 habitats, which means that it supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its altitude rises from 900m to over 2,000m.
Countryside Walks
Ruta Circular Sendero de la Cerrada del Rio Castril
This short but spectacular trail offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family. The trail begins in the town center and descends to the old hydroelectric power station, carved into the rock face of one of the riverbanks. The path is designed with a walkway built on old railway sleepers, embedded in the rock face, ensuring a safe and exciting experience. However, it’s important to take extra precautions with young children to avoid any possibility of falls or accidents.
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Castril to Granada City. More>
Gastronomy
When visiting Castril, try local dishes such as sopa de maimones (garlic soup), tallarines con conejo (rabbit stew), guiso de trucha (trout stew) and lomo de orza (roast pork). For something sweet, try magdalenas (muffins), roscos de vino (aniseed biscuits) and mantecados (almond and cinnamon lard cakes).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Castril are Santa Lucía, San Antón, Candelaria, Fiestas de Virgen de Fátima and Fiestas Patronales. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Castril. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Castril is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Castril are Huéscar, Pozo Alcón and Cortes de Baza.