POLÍCAR
by Shenai Martínez Fernández
Polícar dates back to the time of the Lower Roman Empire, but its narrow streets and peculiar architecture bear history of the period of Islamic domination.
The monuments of interest in this town are mostly Mudejar in style, such as the 16th century parish church of San Antonio de Padua and the hermitage of San Antonio.
Polícar's handicrafts include esparto grass work by the elderly, who use it to make baskets, fruit bowls and even egg cups, not for trade but for their own consumption or as gifts.
The local gastronomy includes dishes such as gachas, rin-ran, potaje de Bolones, choto al ajillo, conejo frito con ajos, migas, olla de San Antón and olla matancera.
The patron saint fiestas of Polícar are held on 13 and 14 June in honour of San Antonio, with open-air dances in the village and two processions during the day and one at night.
Also important are the festivities in the third week of August, in honour of the Virgen de Fátima, as well as the festivity of San Marcos, in which roscos and cheeses are distributed and a procession through the countryside takes place.
The traditional chiscos are held on 16 January and 1 and 2 February in honour of the festivities of San Antón, Candelaria and San Blas, respectively. This celebration is very popular and consists of spending a day in the countryside collecting firewood to make bonfires in the streets of the municipality in the evening.
Polícar is located some 69 kilometres from Granada, from where it can be reached via the A-92 motorway in the direction of Guadix, taking exit exit 288 we reach Purullena.
