PolÍcar
Polícar dates back to the Lower Roman Empire, though its narrow streets and distinctive architecture clearly reflect its history under Islamic rule. Today, the village has a population of around 230 residents.
History
This place appears to have originated as a population centre in the late Roman Empire, although it reached its greatest development during Islamic rule. It has retained its narrow streets and distinctive architecture. During the Nasrid Kingdom, it was a farmstead dependent on Beas de Guadix, then called Beas de los Cautivos.
The town was re-conquered by Fernando ‘El Catolico’ in 1489, and after the rebellion and subsequent expulsion of the Moriscos, it was practically uninhabited and was occupied years later by settlers, mainly from Castile.
The village belonged to one family for centuries, being one of the last large estates to be sold to its inhabitants. In 1977, the estate was purchased for 29 million pesetas, and the land was subsequently distributed among its residents. The deeds to the land were drawn up in 2006.
Things to see
Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua
After the re-conquest of 1489, the area was a farmhouse without any kind of place to worship, suggesting it has been built after 1500. The Synod of Don Martín de Ayala made it obligatory for the clergyman of Beas to go to the farmhouse to say mass at least once every two weeks. This situation persisted until, after the expulsion of the Moriscos in 1570, it was decided to build a real temple, which would become the current one. The interior of the church appears almost bare, perhaps very similar to what the mosque that originally existed would have looked like. Of particular note in the church, is a large painting that the owner of Polícar donated to the church. It is a single-nave church with a rectangular floor plan, a bell tower, a choir stall, and a wooden coffered ceiling. On the main altar, the altarpiece has been replaced by two niches housing images of San Antonio and Nuestra Señora de Fatima. On June 18, 1923, a meeting of the parish priest of Beas, the mayor, the town’s residents, the archpriest, and the most excellent cathedral chapter, agreed to create a parish church, restoring the chapel. It is located on Calle Andalucia.
Ermita de San Antonio
A small shrine that shows the image of San Antonio de Padua, the town’s patron saint. Before this shrine, there was another small shrine whose only source of light was candles, which a person was responsible for keeping lit. When there was no electricity in the town, locals say that this was the reference point for people arriving at dusk or in adverse weather conditions. It is located on Calle Ermita.
El Centro Vitivinícola
An Interpretation Centre created in 2006 by the Town Hall. Initially, it was intended to be a museum where visitors would learn how wine was made, with a wine press, but now it hosts the “El Mirador del Fin del Mundo” employment workshop. It offers courses on vines, including which ones to plant and how to do so. It also covers how to harvest and make wine using the best machinery for the desired type. The employment workshop has already held open days, where it has been used for an exhibition detailing the work carried out by the employment workshop. It’s very spacious and has a location that boasts beautiful views of the town. It is located on Calle Eras.
La Cruz del Tío Serafín
In ancient times, there was a belief that every village entrance should have a cross to protect it. According to local residents, Tío Serafín, said he had to place a cross on the Camino Narváez (Narváez Road), since the “La Cruz de los Caídos en la Guerra” was located at the main entrance. In 1959, Tío Serafín engraved the initials ‘Sagrado Corazón De Jesús’ on a plaque and placed it on a stone mound crowned with an iron cross. Today, the stone structure has disappeared, and in its place stands a pedestal whitewashed with lime. It is located on Camino Narváez.
Handicrafts
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.
Gastronomy
Local dishes to try when visiting Polícar include gachas (savoury porridge), rin-ran (cod salad), choto al ajillo (garlic stewed goat), conejo frito con ajos (fried garlic rabbit), olla de San Antón (chickpea stew) and migas (fried breadcrumbs served with pork). For something sweet, try the potaje de Bolones (chestnut pudding).
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Polícar is located in the Town Hall. More>
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Polícar to Granada City using the bus company, BAM. More>
The bus station in Polícar is on Paseo Sierra Nevada.
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Polícar are Beas de Guadix and Lugros.