Zagra
Zagra is a small rural municipality in the Loja district of western Granada Province, located around 65km from Granada city. Olive groves and rolling countryside surround it. It has an important archaeological site with numerous remains from the Prehistoric, Neolithic, and Roman periods. It has a population of approximately 840 inhabitants (2025)
HISTORY
Zagra has a history spanning more than 6,000 years, with evidence of human settlement from prehistoric times through the Neolithic, Iberian, Roman, Late Antique and Islamic periods. Archaeological remains include flint arrowheads, Neolithic axes, rakes, ceramics, coins, and rock-cut tombs, towers, and settlements. More>
Things to see
Parroquia de San Lorenzo
The Parroquia de San Lorenzo is Zagra's principal church and is dedicated to Saint Lawrence (San Lorenzo), the town’s patron saint. The original church is believed to date to the mid-16th century, shortly after Castilian settlers arrived following the Christian conquest of the area. More >
Castillo Árabe
The Arab Castle of Zagra was part of the first defensive line of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. However, archaeological evidence suggests the site was occupied for several centuries earlier. The castle of Zagra stands on a rocky limestone outcrop (peńa) at an altitude of 805m above sea level. The peña provides a natural defence, as well as providing extensive visibility of the surrounding territory, making it an ideal location for a frontier stronghold. More >
Ermita de Santa Bárbara
Don Antonio Cañizares, then Archbishop of Granada and later Cardinal Primate of Toledo, inaugurated the Ermita de Santa Bárbara in September 2000. The local council built the present chapel on the ruins of an earlier hermitage at the northern end of Zagra, at the top of a steep hill known as El Calvario. More>
Things to see outside village
Necrópolis and Los Algarbes
The Archaeological Complex of Los Algarbes lies southeast of Zagra, around the Cortijo del Algarbe, in an area of rocky limestone and sandstone formations containing numerous natural caves and rock shelters. The name Algarbe derives from the Spanish word “Algar” (meaning cave), reflecting the many caves and graves excavated in stone. More>
Fuente Alta
Fuente Alta (High Fountain) is a small rock-cut necropolis located southeast of Zagra, near the Fuente Alta Spring. Dating from the 6th to the 7th century, it contains double rectangular graves carved directly into the limestone. More>
La Atalayuela
La Atalayuela (Little Watchtower) is a visible, well-signposted archaeological site southeast of Zagra, containing an early-Medieval necropolis dating from approximately the 6th to 8th centuries AD. More>
Natural Areas
Embalse de Iznájar
The reservoir is the largest in Andalusia, and, when constructed over ten years during the 1960s, the dam was was the largest in Spain, requiring 1.4 million cubic metres of concrete. More>
Bus Service
There are bus services from Zagra to Granada City and Algarinejo. More>
Handicrafts
While Zagra is not known for a specific handicraft tradition, local fairs and markets often showcase traditional handmade products and rural crafts that reflect the village’s agricultural heritage and way of life.
Gastronomy
Olive groves are widely cultivated in the fields of Zagra, and locally produced olive oil plays a central role in the village’s traditional cuisine. Local dishes to try in Zagra are caldereta de choto (stewed goat with garlic), sobrehúsa (fish stew) and porra (similar to gazpacho). Sweet treats include rosquetes (aniseed ring-shaped biscuits), roscos de viento (choux pastries), roscos de San Antonio (lard cakes), piñonate (pine nut and marzipan cakes) and borrachuelos (liqueur sponges).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Zagra are Fiestas Patronales de San Lorenzo, Feria Grande, Romería de San Antonio and Semana Santa. More>
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Zagra. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Zagra is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Zagra are Algarinejo and Loja.