Salar
Salar is a small municipality in the Poniente Granadino region of western Granada Province, Andalucía. Situated about 50km west of Granada City. The village is around 540m above sea level and has a population of approximately 2,580.
The municipality sits beside the Río Salar, which flows down from the Sierra de Alhama, and is surrounded by olive groves, rolling hills, and limestone landscapes typical of inland Andalucía.
Salar is the source of the Bañuelo thermal springs and is also home to the Monea Caves featuring stalactites and stalagmites. From here, visitors can experience amazing panoramic views.
History
The name appears to derive from the Roman word "Sall", which comes from the Latin "Sallere" (meaning ‘salt flat’). Evidence of human occupation in various parts of the Salar region dates to the Late Neolithic period, with Acheulean artifacts found in some nearby caves. Later Roman occupation is evident at the Gabino ruins, where numerous coins, fibulae, and small ornamental statuettes from the Late Roman period, probably dating from the 3rd or 4th century AD, have been discovered. More>
Things to see
Castillo Fortaleza
The Castillo Fortaleza de Salar (also known as the Torre Castillo de Salar or Torre Mora) is a 13th century Nasrid fortress located in the centre of Salar, in front of the Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Ana. Hernán Pérez del Pulgar, captain of the Christian armies that fought in the War of Granada, later conquered the fortress in 1486. The Catholic Monarchs appointed him warden and entrusted him with repopulating the area. The structure features a bulky, well-preserved medieval tower complete with original battlements, windows, and loopholes. It remains largely unchanged, along with an attached palace that served as a residence for the Marquises of Salar until the early 20th century. Located in Plaza de García Lorca.
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Ana
The Parish Church of Saint Ana was built in 1501 under the direction of its patron and benefactor, Hernán Pérez del Pulgar. It replaced a mosque of which only the minaret was preserved and rebuilt. By the end of the 18th century, the growing population required a larger church. Its layout consists of a central nave in the shape of a Greek cross, whose arms are covered with barrel vaults and, at their intersection, with groin vaults. Originally, the church was known for its riches, including polychrome sculptures, valuable paintings, grilles, pulpits, and an organ. It also housed the well-known "Salar" or "Fortuny Vase". This Nasrid-period vase was used as a baptismal font and is now in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. Today, the church stands out for its simplicity and luminosity, especially at the high altar, where an image of Saint Ana with the baby Jesus is displayed. Located in Plaza de García Lorca.
Plaza de Doña Pura
The Plaza de Doña Pura is a public square located directly behind the Iglesia de Santa Ana. Named in memory of Purificación Rivas Castro (Doña Pura), a dedicated teacher from Granada who taught in the village for 26 years. In 1929, she received a special award for her contributions to education. In September 1936, during the Francoist occupation (Franco rule 1939-1975), she was falsely accused of helping a soldier join the Republican side. On 26th December 1936, facing imminent arrest, Doña Pura threw herself from the second floor of her house, dying instantly.
Fuente de la Iglesia
The historic Fountain of the Church is a stone monument that was built in 1795 to coincide with the completion of the Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Ana. Over the years, the fountain, crowned with a cross, has been renovated several times, most recently in 1881. Water for the Fuente de la Iglesia flows continuously from the Fuente de la Noguera, a natural spring, collected in the stone trough. Although some of its original decorations have been lost, it still retains its five copper pipes and basins, worn smooth by continuous use. Located in Plaza de García Lorca.
Villa Romana
This archaeological site, with its magnificent mosaics and architectural remains, offers a fascinating insight into Roman life and culture. It is one of the region’s most important archaeological treasures. Dating from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD and the 4th to the 6th centuries AD, this luxurious complex features rich mosaics and building materials and likely belonged to a wealthy trader or public official.
Excavation and evaluation of Villa Romana continue today, aiming to identify the site and confirm the area's importance in the province, as well as the town's value during the late Imperial period (1st to the 3rd century AD).
Things to see outside the town
Torre de Cerro Gabino
This Roman-Republican tower was built as part of a defensive network. Its structural remains reveal a very solid quadrangular structure, built with walls approximately 1m thick. These walls were constructed with two layers of ashlar masonry, and correspond to a specific tower model. The central structure appears to have an adjoining platform next to its northwest face. The remains of walls surrounding the central structure on three sides are also preserved. The surface materials show a chronology spanning from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. Located north-west of the town.
El Bañuelo
This semi-thermal spring originates from a branch of the Alhama springs. Residents formerly used it for bathing and washing. The name bañuelo means “small bath” and is commonly used in Andalucía for public fountains, springs, or communal washing places. In 2018, during archaeological work, researchers discovered several sculptural pieces, most notably a well-preserved marble statue of Venus Capitolina, found buried face down. The statue is exceptional because very few original Roman examples of the Venus Capitolina type survive. Many comparable sculptures have been found decapitated or heavily damaged, whereas the Salar example preserves its head, facial features, hairstyle, and much of its original form. Archaeologists described it as one of the finest examples discovered in Spain. This sculpture is currently undergoing study and conservation work. Located south of the town.
Bus Service
Bus services run from Salar to Granada City, Moraleda de Zafayona, Villanueva de Mesía, Huétor Tájar, Venta Nueva, and Loja. More>
Gastronomy
Olive oil is very important in Salar, and it’s used in dishes such as remojón (cod and orange salad), olla de San Antón (chickpea stew), potaje de hinojos (fennel stew), sopa de espárragos silvestres (wild asparagus soup), olla con cardillos (thistle stew), caracoles con caldo (snails in broth), and gazpacho caliente (hot gazpacho). Homemade sweets include borrachuelos (liqueur sponges), gachas de mosto (grape porridge), magdalenas (muffins), mantecados (lard almond cakes), tortas de aceite (olive oil torts), and hornazos (honey pastries).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Salar are San Antón, Candelaria, San Marcos and Fiestas Patronales de Santa Ana. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Salar. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Salar is in the Oficina de Turismo. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Salar are Huétor Tájar and Loja.