 MONTEFRIO
Montefrío still looks like a small rustic
mountain village, and, indeed, it is situated in a most attractive
part of the province but it also has much more to offer, including
an impressive host of monuments and a backdrop which takes travellers
centuries into the past, toa n Arab era, when the town played an
important part in defending the trade route which led down towards
the coast via Vélez-Málaga. The impregnable Arab fortress
and the village church protrude from among numerous olive groves.
The former, a recognised historical and artistic monument occupies
the site where the old mosque once stood. From it an impressive
panorama can be beheld. |
HISTORY
Archaeological finds in “Las Peñas
de Los Gitanos” show that the colonización of Montefrío
goes back at least to the Neolithic Middle period. The name “Hiponova”
suggest that the village was a Phoenician foundary which was later
inhabited by Romans and Arabs until it was conquered by the Catholic
Monarchs on 26th June, 1486.
By the middle of the XIth century, Montefrío was part of
the Nazarí kingdom of Granada. The Albencerraje dynasty crowned
Ismail III at Las Angosturas. Sadly, much of the village´s
cultural and artistic treasures were destroyed by successive Christian
attacks which caused the devastation of its fortresses and the scorching
of the surrounding land. The geographical conditions of Montefrío,
surrounded by rugged hills and rounded hillocks turned the whole
area into an important fortress. It was a part of the Millenary
Roiute, which started at “Torre del Mar” and “Vélez-Málaga”,
stopping at Montefrío before arriving at the fertile plains
of Cordoba and the Guadalquivir valley. Montefrío was vital
for the defence of the north-western area of Granada. The village,
shielded by its castle, was an excellent defensive bastion, due
to its being protected by a steep gorge. Thus, it defended the route
to Granada. It was from this fortress that many incursions into
enemy territory were made. It also collaborated with Illora in controlling
the main routes which led out of Alcalá la Real.
FESTIVALS
20 th January, festival of Saint Sebastián.
1 st February, bonfires.
3 rd May, celebration of the Cross.
15 th May, Pilgrimage of Saint Isidro Labrador.
Summer festivals, first week of June.
Mid August, festival of the village patron “Nuestra Señora
de los Remedios”.
Autumn festival, 3 rd week in September.
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MONUMENTAL HERITAGE
The Arab fortress, built in the XIVth
century by Yusuf I. the village church can be found inside the fortress.
It is in this church that the Centre of Interpretation of the Las
Frontier of Al-andalus “el Centinela” is presently to
be established.
Church of the Encarnation.
Town Hall.
Trades Guilg.
Hospital of San Juan de los Reyes
Church of Saint Antonio.
Pósito.
Roman bridge.
NATURAL HERITAGE
“La Peña de los Gitanos” beauty
spot situated to the east of Montefrío. The Neolithic dolmens
make this one of the most important archaeological sites in the
province. The gorges, balconies and terraces offer a magnificent
calcareous landscape, interspersed by abundant vegetation.
At “El Barranco de los Molinos” travellers can visit
ruins of Roman mills.
“La Sierra de Parapanda”, situated between the municipalities
of Montefrío and Illora, is the highest point of the area
(1,604m).
GASTRONOMY
Thick soup containing peppers and oranges.
“gachas de mosto”
Typical dish of rabbit and partridge, in the hunting season.
Faggots.
Cakes: traditional cakes made with wine and olive oil.
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