About Albuñuelas:The village of Albuñuelas dates from Moorish times - the name derives from an Arab word meaning abundance - a fitting superlative for the surrounding orchards heavily laden with oranges, lemons, medlars, pomegranites, persimmons, custard apples, avocadoes and vines weighed down with grapes.
Dramatic Views across the Alpujarras and the Sierra NevadaThe village nestles into the hillside above the gorge of the Rio Santo - a spectacular position at the head of the Lecrin Valley. It was on the route of first Arab traders & mapmakers - Leon the African and Al Idrisi. Early last century this village was fairly remote and was not directly linked to the other villages down the valley by anything more than a mule track. Indeed mules and donkeys are still much in evidence as the major form of transport for the campesinos going to tend their orange and olive groves. Some of the most dramatic views to be had anywhere in the valley are to be found here - bordered by the Sierra de Albuñuelas (where fugitives lived after the Spanish Civil War) and the Sierra de Guajar - with wonderful vistas across to the Alpujarras and the Sierra Nevada. This is a beautiful and tranquil environment, with countryside which feels wild and remote almost as soon as you leave the confines of the village. Daily Life in AlbuñuelasThe streets of Albuñuelas are redolent with the Moorish history of the area. Among the flower draped houses in the narrow cobbled streets you will find the remnants of a 14th century Arab tower, communal stone wash houses & elaborately tiled fountains, as well as a 17th century Archbishop´s palace. The 'acequias', or water courses, which have made this valley such a verdant paradise are another legacy of the Moors. Life changes slowly here. The cavernous ground floors of the houses are still used to stable the mules and their friends the dogs, along with rabbits, turkeys, chickens and pigs at various times. The open top floors or 'miradors' are festooned with drying chillies & tomatoes at the end of the summer & hams & chorizo sausages being cured after the matanza - the killing of pigs in January. These jostle for space with bougainvillea and jasmine tumbling over balustrades. On summer evenings neighbours sit on their doorsteps chatting in the moonlight & old men keep alive the craft of esparto grass weaving to make baskets and panniers for the mules. Two bakeries deliver quantities of fresh bread & cakes around the village each day & the fish vendor delivers the morning's catch of fish, fresh from the ocean. |
Bars Restaurants & Shops in AlbuñuelasThere are several bars, which are traditional, local establishments. Bar Careto (on the left as you enter the main part of the village) and Tres Lindes (further into the upper barrio on the right hand corner of the first large square) also serve food, although Bar Careto may require some notice. There are also many other restaurants serving excellent local food in the surrounding villages (see separate list on the Lecrin Valley pages). The Upper Barrio of Albuñuelas (a ten minute walk from Casa de la Puerta Grande) has two small supermarkets: Coviran and Serprix which are both on the main road into the upper barrio. Both will deliver to your house. There is also a pharmacy and local doctor near the school on the main street. On the last Thursday morning in each month there is a full street market just below the Ayuntamiento square in the Upper Barrio which sells different types of olives, dried food, clothes, pots & pans etc. On other Thursdays the market is smaller. |
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