In the Vega de Granada, between high peaks, streams and springs, the town of Güéjar Sierra welcomes us, popularly known as Andalusian Switzerland and where rural tourism is the perfect complement to a visit.
It is located in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, extending on the slope of Cerro del Calar, an ideal place for those who enjoy mountain routes and their landscapes.
Some of the most beautiful routes that can be done in Güéjar Sierra are the Circular Route of Cortijo del Hornillo - Vereda de la Estrella, which crosses the Barranco de Guarnón and is especially beautiful in autumn, or the route of the Lavaderos de la Reina, which runs through the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada, offering an impressive view of the thaw if visited during the spring.
Although one route must be highlighted, it is the Sierra Nevada Tram, a railway line that was active from 1925 to 1974 and which has now become a Greenway.
Shall we delve a little into its history? Well, although it is probable that Visigoths and Romans already populated this environment, its past is closely related to that of Muslim culture as it was once called it Qaryat Walyar.
These were the three neighbourhoods that made up the region and that currently remain the same: Alquería Alta or Barrio del Fuerte, Alquería de en Medio, also known as Barrio de la Fuente, and, finally, Alquería Baja, known as Barrio de la Moraleda or del Peñón.
Among its streets, in some of the neighborhoods, we can see a traditional mountain architecture, while if we look at its monuments, we have some of Arab origin and others by the Christians that were erected after the reconquest.
During Arab times, there were two fortresses. On the one hand, there is the one known as El Fuerte, which no longer exists, and another called El Castillejo or Castillo de Linza, of which part of its structure, originally from the early 8th century, is preserved.
Already, during the Christian reign, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was erected, which dates back to the seventeenth century and is in the Renaissance style with a beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling inside.
Other points of interest are the Fuente de los 16 Caños and the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Nieves.
Have you worked up an appetite during the tour? Nothing better than to remedy it by enjoying the dishes of typical gastronomy, with specialties such as potatoes migas, spicy porridge, baby garlic with red potatoes ‘a la pobre’ or the pork roast in the Güejareño style, which will make you salivate with its aromas .
Sausages and artisan bread also have a prominent place, while in desserts, we can sweeten ourselves with milk fried with sugar and cinnamon or with anise rolls.
Regarding its economy, in Arab times, its most relevant activity was the production of threads and silks, which led it to be a very flourishing town, and later, the main activities were agriculture and livestock, which, at present, are still maintained.
Over the years, the tourism sector has been increasing with momentum in recent times, thanks, in large part, to Güéjar Sierra being such an ideal destination for rural tourism.
