Válor

Válor

by Saskia Mier

 

Válor has a popular festival dating from the sixteenth century known as Moros y los Cristianos, and is one of the most famous in Spain. As one of the last regions to harbour the Moors, the Alpujarras is one of the best places to watch these reenactments, the other villages here being Trevélez and Pampaneira. It has a population of around 700 inhabitants.

History

Although archaeological sites suggest that there have been human settlements here since the Bronze Age and there are also vestiges from the Roman era, the truth is that Válor was born as a population centre during the time of Islamic domination and almost completely preserves its appearance from that time, with narrow streets and typical Alpujarra houses. It had its moment of splendour in the Arab-Andalusian period, when the whole of the Alpujarra was an important agricultural emporium specialising in silk production. During the Nasrid period it belonged to the Taha de Juviles. More>

Things to see

Puente de la Tableta  
Bridge of Arab origin built over the Válor River, on the royal road that linked Almería with Granada. It is built with red brick and stone, and consists of a single pointed arch spanning a considerable distance between the two banks.

Casa de Abén Humeya 
Residential and domestic building dating from the sixteenth century, once belonged to Fernando de Córdoba y Válor, Abén Humeya, who was the first leader of the Moorish rebellion of the Alpujarra (1568 - 1570). It is located on Calle Carretera del Puente.

Ermita de la Virgen de Lourdes 
The chapel is closed to the public due to its serious deterioration. It is a simple building, with a whitewashed façade and a tiled roof. Access is through a semicircular arch, and the complex is crowned by a Spanish arch. Located on Calle Real.

Iglesia de San José
This sixteenth century church with an interesting Mudejar style coffered ceiling inside, as well as a beautiful image of Cristo de la Yedra and Inmaculada created by an artist from the school of Alonso Cano. Throughout its history it has undergone several reconstructions and restorations, but its original structure has always been respected. It has a rectangular floor plan with three naves separated by arches supported by pillars, a separate main chapel and a transept, with side naves lower than the central one, covered with plaster vaults. On the outside it has brick walls and masonry boxes. The church was destroyed by a fire during the Spanish Civil War, saving the tower and part of the dressing room of the Cristo de la Yedra, a modern sculpture copied from the one that disappeared at that time. Located in Plaza de la Iglesia.

Things to see outside the town

Castillo de Válor
The castle may have had more than one enclosure, as is apparent from the remains of a small circular construction and a long wall, just under 1m thick, which is preserved in the valley to the north of the hill. The large dimensions of this enclosure and its location in relation to the castle suggest that it was a place to shelter livestock or the population in case of danger, known as albacara. It is suggested the castle may date from the sixteenth century, during the Moorish rebellion. The castle has a triangular plan, of which its perimeter can be seen, although few remains have been preserved, such as those of a large corner wall that may have been part of a defensive tower. Located south of the town.

Iglesia de la Virgen de la Antigua
The church dates to 1504, when the first work was started. In 1569 it was vandalised by the Moors, leaving it in a poor state, later rebuilt at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The data seem to indicate that it was completely rebuilt, although it could be that only its roof was worked on; in fact, the news of its work, from 1604 to 1610, only mentions Juan Alonso (carpenter). In 1615, Martín de Aranda made a coat of arms for Archbishop Castro, Miguel Cano a tabernacle, and Diego de Riaño and Juan García Corral a canopy for its altar, as was common in these churches. It has a single nave covered by a roof, to which chapels were later added at the head, and a choir at the foot. It has a simple main door in Tuscan style at the foot, well moulded, with an upper oculus, and a tower at the head. Located in Nechite.

Iglesia de San Antón
Also known as Purísima Concepción, the church was built at the end of the fifteenth century and is dedicated to the patron saint, San Antón. With an elongated rectangular floor plan and a gabled roof, it has very simple architectural lines with characteristic exposed brick walls and masonry boxes on its exterior. It has a simple doorway at the foot, with an access opening finished in a semicircular arch, and a tower attached to the head, with a square floor plan, and a hipped tiled roof. Located in Mecina Alfahar.

Countryside walks

Sendero Válor-Cuesta Viñas-Yegen-Sendero de la Salud
A semicircular path coinciding with stage 13 of the GR-7 and the Sendero de la Salud.

Sendero de los Castaños
A circular route designed with enough height to allow hikers to contemplate the Válor River on the southern slope of Sierra Nevada.

Sendero del Agua
A circular trail running alongside the GR-7 (stage 14) through fields of almond trees and oaks, through Nechite, Mecina Alfahar and Válor.

Sendero de la Launa
A circular trail through the village to Fuente Bajona and its wonderful traditional washing place. It connects with the GR-7 path and the PR-A 480.

Other popular routes to explore are Sendero de Aben Humeya and Ruta de las Margaritas.

Bus Service

There is a bus service from Válor to Granada and Ugíjar. More>

Gastronomy 

Typical dishes to try in Válor are potaje de pencas e hinojos (fennel and thistle stew), perdíz en escabeche (vinegar-cured partridge), mojo de aceitunas y bacalao (baked olive and cod) and migas (fried breadcrumbs with pork). The most popular sweet treats of the town are spolillos de almendra (almond meringues) and turron de almendra (almond nougat).

Festivals

Popular festivals in Válor are Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos, Semana Cultural, Baile de Ánimas, Virgen de la Asunción and Santiago Apóstol. More>

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for the next few days for Válor. More>

Tourist Office

The tourist office of Válor is located in the Town Hall. More>

Nearby Places

The neighbouring villages to Válor are Yegen and Ugíjar.

Hotels in and around Valor