Lanjarón’s cultural heritage consists of its fiestas, monuments, urban design and fantastic cuisine. The municipality also has its own water museum, the Museo del Agua, a collection which takes on a particular significance given that the village of Lanjarón has developed, to a large degree, thanks to spa tourism and the commercial exploitation of water.

Typical Cuisine

The most notable dishes in Lanjarón include: potaje de castañas (sweet chestnut purée), ajopollo (a dressing made with oil, bread and almonds), jayuyo (a sort of flat bread eaten with ham and oil) and puchero de hinojos (fennel stew).

Historia

The first settlers in the municipality may have ar-rived as long ago as the Neolithic Period, when the people who lived on the coast travelled up the river valleys to find pasture for their livestock. There is also some evidence that the Romans were present in the region, and they may have been drawn to the area because iron was available here. It is possible that chestnut trees were first grown here at that point, like in many other places. Chestnuts are now a quintessential part of the landscape of Lanjarón. However, there is no clear evidence of human occupation of the area until the 13^th century, when a group of Berber colonisers settled here. They may have been the ones who gave the village of Lanjarón its name, which is almost certainly a castilianisation of the Arabic word Al-lancharon, which means “place of springs”.

Lanjarón continued under Moorish rule until the Kingdom of Granada fell into the hands of the Christians, although the Moorish settlers were allowed to remain here after that. The fact that they stayed here was actually the cause of some of the most turbulent events in the area’s history, during the Morisco Revolt. There was further upheaval at the end of the 19^th century, but due to natural causes, namely earthquakes and cholera epidemics, which devastated the municipality for some time.

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There are many specialities here, including migas de harina (fried crumbs), cocido (a characteristic type of stew), choto con ajillo (goat meat fried in garlic), all sorts of stews, pipirrana (a salad of tomatoes) and gazpacho (a cold soup of tomatoes, cucumber and peppers). Following the matanza, the slaughter of the pig, you could try an asadura de cebolla – a dish prepared with lots of spices, morcilla (a sort of black pudding), longaniza (cured sausage), pork loin and chops in a spicy sauce, and many other pork products, as well as dishes prepared from game. Sweet delicacies include buñuelos (sweet fritters) with honey, arroz con leche (rice pudding), and pastries and sweets such as borrachi-llos, and dulces de leche, all of which make up the rich culinary heritage of Turón. The most prized culinary element in Turón is its figs, eaten fresh or dried, and which are used in making pastries and fig bread.

History

Turón was established as a settlement during the Roman Empire, when it was known as “Turobriga” and was renowned for its lead mines, which are nowadays abandoned. It was part of the district of Taha del Gran Cehel under Moorish rule, when it was a prosperous and peaceful village, safeguarded by the protective hills which surround its urban area. The municipality of Turón was one of the few places where no violent acts were perpetrated against the Christians when the Rebellion of the Moors took place. Instead, the Morisco inhabitants of Turón, in spite of the fact that they joined in with the uprising, protected and accompanied their 18 Christian neighbours as far as the bridge at Adra in order to save their lives. Even so, this noble gesture did not prevent them from being slaughtered, and when the troops of Philip II arrived, the Moors were put to the sword. Following the Muslim defeat, this municipality was virtually abandoned, and was repopulated by settlers from other parts of Castile.

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Cultural heritage in the municipality is reflected in its monuments and urban heritage, its highly valued typical food and drink, its fiestas and its folklore. It is the birthplace of the trovo, traditional poetical songs composed by the “troubadours”, and you are sure to hear many of these improvised verses accompanied by stringed instruments in the festival celebrations in Murtas, which from the depths of time have provided entertainment at gatherings.

Typical Cuisine

Murtas boasts one of the most famous and delicious local specialities in the region, conejo al colorín, which is a dish of rabbit cooked with garlic, dried peppers and olive oil.

Historia

The name Murtas comes from the Mozarabic term “mirtos”, which refers to the myrtle tree. Axes and other archaeological remains from the Bronze Age allow it to be ascertained that there were human settlements in this land from as early as the Neolithic period. During the Nasrid Kingdom, Murtas belonged to the district Taha de Sahill. Following its conquest by the Catholic Kings, the Morisco population put up a strong resistance to pressure from the Christians, and an uprising took place under the command of Abén Humeya. This Revolt led to the banishment of the population which had rebelled, and the subsequent depopulation of the area. Christians from Andalusia, Castile, Galicia and Asturias were sent to resettle these lands. In the 19^th century an industry based on wine and silk grew up and flourished in the district.

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Ugíjar’s cultural heritage can be seen in its monuments, folklore, fiestas and typical cuisine. Jorairátar is also home to the Museo Histórico de La Alpujarra, the largest collection of historical objects in the whole of the Alpujarra.

Typical Cuisine

The food in Ugíjar is best eaten accompanied with a good local wine. Arroz liberal is a popular dish, made with rabbit, garlic, tomatoes, rice and almonds. Cabrito al ajo cabañil is made with goat kid, garlic, chillies and olive oil. Desserts include turrón, a sort of nougat made in the traditional way by a turronero, one in a long line of turrón-makers in the same family, who take their products from market to market to sell.

History

It is believed that Ugíjar was mentioned as long ago as the 1^st century, by Homer in his epic poem Odyssey. As the sediment in the river was rich in gold, the Greek philosopher and historian Strabo believed that Ugíjar could have been the city of Ulyssea, where a temple dedicated to Athena was built. During one of his journeys, Odysseus
(Ulysses) is thought to have left his shield and the battering rams from his ships in the church as an offering to the Greek goddess. Some historians believe that Ugíjar was a settlement during the Roman Empire, and that it was called Hortum Sacrum, which means “Sacred Garden” in Latin. Certainly, the village is mentioned for the first time in the 11^th century, in the chronicles of Al Udri. 

During the Nasrid period, it belonged to the taha (administrative district) of the same name, and it was declared a city in 1493, when Boabdil, the last Nasrid monarch, moved to the region after Granada was handed over to the Catholic Monarchs. At that time, it was a prosperous municipality with a flourishing agricultural sector. It was defended by a fortress in Cherín. However, this boom period was cut short by the Rebellion, when the Moors were driven out of the area.

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The village’s name comes from the Arabic word al-jub, meaning “water well”. It stands at 1,160 metres above sea level, and is both the smallest and highest village in the municipality. It is beautiful to look at, nestled amongst lush vegetation.

Laroles

1,015 metres above sea level. The village’s name comes from the Latin word laurus, meaning “laurel” or “bay tree”. The whole village fans out around three squares. Its hundred-year-old Fuente Cantarina, and the image of the Virgen de la Fuente (Our Lady of the Fountain) that stands on top of it, are of particular note. The village provides all of the facilities that visitors may need, with modern touches that continue to respect the Alpujarran heritage passed down from older generations.

Mairena

1,082 metres above sea level. The village’s name is clearly derived from the Latin name Marius, which may have been the name of some Roman landowner. It is thought of as the “Balcony of the Alpujarra”, as the viewpoint by the shrine provides fantastic views of the Ugíjar Valley, the Cerrajón de Murtas, and the Sierra de Gádor. The legendary Piedra de los Tiempos (“stone of the times”) is found on the outskirts of this village. 

Picena 

Picena stands at 750 metres above sea level in the valley of the Río Picena, which becomes the Río Adra further downstream. The village’s houses are built in tiers, and its streets are maze-like.

Culture

Nevada’s rich cultural heritage is seen in its urban design, monuments, agriculture, traditional fiestas, folklore and delicious cuisine.

Typical Cuisine

Nevada’s cuisine is centred around the area’s crops and animal products. Traditional dishes can be found in each village. Lindo de Laroles is a type of salad which is given a different name in each village (cilimoje, in Picena). It is made with dried tomatoes and peppers, black olives and cod. Olla de nabos is a stew typical of Júbar, made with white beans, morcilla, turnip and potatoes. Sweet rosetas de las cuatro tazas (“four cup popcorn”) is made in Mairena, using a cup of corn, a cup of sugar, a cup of oil and a cup of water.

History

Settlers first came to the municipality very early on, and it is said that the people were very resistant to the arrival of the Romans and, centuries later, the Berbers. However, its current location and layout is clearly of Moorish origin, and still shows traces of the administrative system of the Nasrid Kingdom, with tahas as municipal districts containing a number of different villages. The Casa Consistorial (old town hall) was built in Laroles. Because of its strategic position, the area played a key role in the Moors’ guerrilla war during the Moorish uprising, when Philip II was on the throne. This meant that repression was felt here very acutely, and the area was almost completely abandoned after the rebels were driven out.

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Válor’s cultural heritage is reflected in its monuments, agricultural elements and villages, as well as in its fiestas, folklore and delicious cuisine.

Typical Cuisine

Traditional recipes in the municipality use locally-grown produce and have been passed down from generation to generation. One of the most famous dishes from Válor is hinojos al ajillo, made with fennel, almonds, garlic and dried peppers. The locals also make a typical dessert of Moorish origin, soplillos, a sort of meringue made with eggs, almonds, sugar and lemon.

History

Although evidence of Bronze Age and Roman settlers has been found in the municipality, the village of Válor was established in the period of Moorish rule, and its shape and layout is almost exactly the same today, with narrow streets and typical Alpujarran houses.

It belonged to La Taha de Juviles and be-
came very prosperous through the production of silk in the area. Válor was the birth town of the most notorious Alpujarran of all time, Fernando de Córdoba y Válor, more commonly-known as Abén Humeya. Crowned King of Andalusia in 1568, he urged the Moors to revolt, and led the Moorish Uprising, until he was overthrown by his cousin, Abén Aboo.

Abén Humeya was a member of a famous Moor-ish family which converted to Christianity after the Conquest of Granada in 1492. He renounced that religion to become a Muslim again, and started to fight against the repression of the Moorish faith and customs, and the Christians’ failure to adhere to the Capitulations of Granada. The Revolt lasted three years and extended throughout the whole of the Kingdom of Granada, but it was violently controlled and repressed by Philip II. After the Moors were driven out of the region, Válor became home to Christian resettlers from Jaén. Archaeological sites found in the municipal district show that other human settlements were also founded here. These sites include the Yacimiento del Barrio Garzón, underneath the current districts of Barrio de Cantarranas and Barrio del Portel, or Piedras de la Cárcel, where villagers say that a church and a prison once stood.

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Along with its annex El Golco and the group of farmhouses of Montenegro, this village is located 114 km from the provincial capital, Granada, and lies at an altitude of 1,136 metres above sea level. In 1973 it merged with the municipality of Yegen, creating what is today the municipality of Alpujarra de la Sierra. The total population is approximately 1,300 inhabitants, concentrated almost entirely in Mecina Bombarón and Yegen. Set deep in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Natural and National Park, it enjoys privileged views of the Sierra de Gádor, the Sierra de Lújar and the Contraviesa, and on clear days you can see as far as the sea. 

Nestled on the slopes of the most deep-set peak on the Iberian Peninsula, Mecina Bombarón was the birthplace of Abén Aboo, an active defender of the Alpujarra of Muslim times. It is a picturesque village, with various districts, and is characterised by its unusual traditional architecture, its terraced hillsides, and surrounded by ancient chestnut trees. The Barrio de Arraíces district in Mecina Bombarón is remarkable for its excellent state of conservation, and it is a fine example of typical Alpujarran architecture.

Yegen

On a gently sloping mountainside, alive with the colours of fruit trees and poplars and criss-crossed with streams, Yegen is located in a particularly beautiful spot. Here you can appreciate its well-preserved traditional architecture, as well as a whole host of elements of cultural interest, such as the Mudejar church, the ruins of the Moorish fortress “el Peñon del Fuerte”, and numerous natural caves.  

The village is also well known on an international level thanks to the English a uthor Gerald Brenan, who was without a doubt one of the greatest authorities on this area, where he lived for several years. He was captivated by the simple spontaneity of the people, the sounds, the hustle and bustle and goings on of life there, the beliefs, customs and folklore, and he monitored and recorded it all in minute detail, publishing the fruit of his efforts, Al sur de Granada (South from Granada), in 1951. Thanks to this novel, the culture of Yegen has been broadcast in various document-aries such as Aguas Pasadas filmed with Brenan in the summer of 1973 for channel TVE by Alfredo Amestoy, La mirada de Brenan, mostly filmed on location in the village, and also in the feature film by Fernando Colomo, Al Sur de Granada, which recounted the years spent by Brenan in this area.

El Golco 

This lies on the same side of the river and below Mecina Bombarón. It is home to one of the oldest churches in the area, which dates from the 16^th century, and which may be a former mosque which has been consecrated as a Christian place of worship.

Montenegro

This is a small townland composed of an old cortijo (farmhouse) which sits on a hill, with various others spread out around it. The group of farmsteads which comprise Montenegro also belonged to Abén Aboo, and is home to a shrine, the Ermita de la Virgen de Fátima.

The Municipality

The relief of the municipality is mountainous and uneven, and altitudes range from 700 to 2,750 metres. The land is scored by a network of gullies and gorges, the largest of which forms the river bed of the Río Mecina.

In terms of traditional buildings, in Mecina Bombarón and Yegen you will see that most houses have two or three storeys, and have a certain noble influence, being entirely built with stone masonry (the majority with pointing) and having flat tiled roofs. The houses, which bear a remarkable resemblance to Berber buildings, are scattered somewhat anarchically over the hillsides. Like the steps of some giant staircase, the flat roofs and terraces of some are also the paths to and from others, and the slender chimney columns rise up out of these. 

The passage between dwellings is facilitated by one of the most unusual elements of architecture in the Alpujarra, the “tinaos”, or traditional roof terraces.

The combination of all of the characteristics of the architecture, culture and landscape make this municipality a delightful holiday destination.

Culture

Expressions of culture in Alpujarra de la Sierra are mainly found in its fiestas, its folklore and in its rich cuisine. In addition, there are two museums of photography in the area. The Museo Fotográfico de la Alpujarra is in Mecina Bombarón, and holds a collection of more than six hundred photographs which reflect the cultural heritage of the different villages in the region. The photographs portray the architecture, typical food and drink, folklore, culture, legends and many different people from the various towns and villages which comprise the region of The Alpujarra. The Museo Fotográfico de Van Hannsen in Yegen possesses a large collection of photographs which are exclusively of the village and its inhabitants. Here, you can see the living history of the village from 1959 to 1989, which is the result of a labour of love by Mr. Van Hannsen, who came back to visit Yegen year after year, until he became much more than just a visitor.

Typical Cuisine

The cuisine in Alpujarra de la Sierra, as in the rest of the Alpujarra, is based on the variety and richness of local products, such as fruit and vegetables, cereals, goat kid meat, almonds, corn, garlic, fennel, honey and green beans. It is simple, natural and tasty. Some dishes include migas de papas, featuring breadcrumbs and made with potato, garlic and olive oil, and ajo quemao, featuring garlic and made from tomatoes, dried peppers, roasted peppers and maize flour. In addition, you can try olla de hinojos (fennel stew), gachas de “ajo quemao” and gachas de caldo colorao (both dishes made from flour), guisaillo matancero (a type of casserole), potaje de castañas (a dessert made from chestnuts), and buñuelos (sweet fritters), as well as a great variety of exquisite sweet pastries of Moorish origin. Alongside such local specialities, pork is a very symbolic product, and the popularity of the ritual of the matanza, the slaughter of the pig, in the Alpujarra demonstrates the importance of the production of local jamones (hams) and other cured pork products.

History

Alpujarra de la Sierra enjoyed a significant boom under Arab rule, and two settlements were de-veloped: Mecina Bombarón, which was composed of eight barrios including the district of El Golco, which had its own mosque and grain store, and the village of Yegen, with a further two barrios. Mecina Bombarón was the birthplace of Diego López (Abén Aboo), the cousin and successor of Abén Humeya (whom he assassinated), who took up arms against Philip II in 1568, leading the Revolt of the Moriscos in The Alpujarra. 

The municipality has a large number of very old sites, such as “Altalazora”, the “Castillejo de Golco” and the “Cueva del Reyecillo” (Cave of the King), although few examples of such remains have been discovered or investigated in The Alpujarra in general. 

The first settlers were Neolithic tribes, which gave way to other cultures such as the Romans. The Middle Ages left traces such as the medieval bridge and the road between Mecina Bombarón and Yegen. These lands experienced their heyday under Islamic dominion, and some Muslin inventions from that time still remain which continue to function today with the same effect as in days gone by, such as the irrigation system provided by the network of channels called acequias.

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A wide range of many different elements combine to form the cultural heritage of the municipality of Cádiar, including its streets, fiestas, cuisine and folklore. There are several cultural associations, including Cadiarte, the Asociación de Troveros (Trovo Singers Association), Amigos de la Fuente del Vino (Friends of the Fountain of Wine) or the Círculo Cultural Agrícola y Comercial (Agricultural and Commercial Cultural Circle), the oldest association in the municipality. Cádiar is also home to a number of artists who work in various different fields, such as Enrique Morón, Manuel Martín, Paca López or the band Alpujarra Libre, not forgetting the local marching band, set up more than one hundred years ago.

Typical Cuisine

Cádiar’s cuisine is made using local products, washed down with delicious local soups and stews. Potaje de puñaíllo (“handful stew”) is a particularly interesting stew. It is made with a handful of chickpeas, a handful of beans, a handful of campion, a handful of rice, garlic, onion and potatoes. Minchos can be sweet or savoury, and are made with water, milk, eggs and oil.

History

The name of the municipality is derived from the Arabic al cadí, which means “the judge”. In the 15^th century, it was made a villa (royal borough), but there was a mass exodus after the Moors were driven out of the area. Later, new settlers came from other parts of the Kingdom. During the Al-Andalus period, Narila was the permanent resid-ence of the chief judge of the Eastern Alpujarra. 

In the Muslim period, the municipality was made up of five districts and two annexes. During the Morisco Revolt, in Philip II’s time, it was the
homeland of Abén Xaguar, uncle of Abén Humeya, and the man responsible for his election. The first rebel chief was crowned King of Andalusia in an olive grove near Cádiar. 

Archaeological sites in the municipality include the settlement on the Cerro de la Tinaja, which dates back to the end of the Bronze Age, and the Yacimiento de Narila, an archaeological site on a mountain peak standing some 1,500 metres above sea level, where the remains of a settlement dating from the Early Middle Ages have been found (the pottery found is from a period prior to the Moors’ arrival in the area).

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Culture

Lobras’s cultural heritage is the result of a com-bination of its urban design, houses, monuments, farming, fiestas, folklore, and delicious cuisine.

Typical Cuisine

Oil, almonds and maize are all produced in Lobras. The local people also make their own wine to drink at home. One of the most typical dishes is the fritadilla de San Agustín, which is traditionally eaten on the feast day of St Augustine, and is made with chopped lamb or pork, green peppers, aubergines, tomatoes, roasted peppers and extra virgin olive oil.

History

Lobras was founded in the first few years of Islamic rule, although the old mercury mine suggests that an earlier settlement may have been founded here prior to that. It endured the changes that took place during the Morisco Revolt, and the repression by the armies led by John of Austria. The people were driven out and later replaced by Old Christians. However, since the depopulation in the 16^th century, it has never been a large village.

The name Tímar may be derived from the Latin word timen, meaning “the fearful one”, alluding to the fear that the old El Fuerte fortress would have aroused amongst settlers in the surrounding area. In the past, Tímar has been famous for its textile mills, silk and mercury mines. There are two important mines in the municipality, the Minas de Tímar and the Minas de los Casarones, which both date from the second half of the 19^th century.

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Las manifestaciones culturales en Bérchules se muestran, principalmente en el patrimonio monumental, agrícola y urbano, tanto como en las fiestas, folclore y exquisita gastronomía.

Patrimonio monumental y urbanístico

El patrimonio monumental que más resalta en Los Bérchules, reside en su arquitectura popular y su urbanismo con sus fuentes, lavaderos y cuevas, sin olvidar sus iglesias:

Iglesia de Bérchules: Del siglo XVI y XVII, edificada sobre una antigua mezquita, permite conocer la ampliación del templo como consecuencia del aumento de población en la Edad Moderna.    

Iglesia de Alcútar: La primitiva Iglesia, del siglo XVI, fue saqueada por los moriscos durante la Rebelión de Las Alpujarras. Su diseño se muestra como uno de los más racionales de la comarca promovidos por el Consejo de Castilla en la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII.

Escudo de la Calle Cantera y el Escudo de la Casa Claudio, en Bérchules.

Cueva de Abén Aboo: Cueva utilizada por Abén Aboo durante el hostigamiento de las huestes cristianas. Finalmente fue traicionado por sus propios partidarios a cambio del perdón de sus vidas. Situada frente al núcleo de población de Bérchules.

Cuevas Tajos de Cortes: Cuevas artificiales en las que la población medieval guardaba los cereales convirtiéndose así en cuevas-silo. Gracias a estas cuevas y tras el asedio de las tropas de Juan de Austria, los moriscos consiguieron resistir en su territorio. Ubicadas bajo el Tajo del Reyecillo.

Tajo del Reyecillo: Una de las escasas manifestaciones rupestres que jalonaban las vías ganaderas locales en la comarca. Grabados prehistóricos, esquemáticos y muy sencillos, realizados con objetos romos. Ubicado en la Junta de los Ríos.

Fabriquilla de los Moros: Restos de una antigua fortificación construida durante la sublevación de los moriscos en el siglo XVI. Localizada al noroeste de Los Bérchules, en la Junta de los Ríos.

Fuente Agria de Bérchules: Fuente de aguas ferruginosas y carbonatadas de estimadas 

cualidades curativas. Situada en la margen derecha del Río Grande de Bérchules, en una frondosa zona de castaños y álamos.

Fuente de las Carmelitas: Fuente de pequeñas dimensiones adosada al muro de una terraza. Una leyenda asegura que toda persona soltera que beba de sus aguas encuentra pareja poco tiempo después. Situada a unos 200 metros de la entrada del pueblo de Bérchules.

En cuanto a lavaderos en el municipio de Los Bérchules, cabe señalar el Lavadero de Bérchules, con una curiosa entrada a modo de ojo de cerradura, y el Lavadero de la Calle García.

Patrimonio agrícola

Las eras constituyeron una pieza de capital importancia en la economía de subsistencia de la localidad. Destaca la Era Platera, en Bérchules, de apreciables dimensiones que en su margen este presenta un muro de tres metros. Magnificas vistas sobre el municipio, el valle del Río

Guadalfeo, el Cerrajón de Murtas y la Sierra de la Contraviesa. La Era Majuelo de Alcútar, de pequeñas dimensiones, también ofrece unas vistas espléndidas de la zona. Situada junto al cementerio.

En dirección a Fuente Agria, bajo el núcleo de Bérchules, se sitúa la Balsa del Ocharillo, de pequeñas dimensiones y emplazada entre cuatro castaños de gran tamaño.

En lo que se refiere a los antiguos molinos se distinguen: el Molino de la Carraca,  ubicado en dirección al Camino de la Junta de los Ríos, en un barranco de gran belleza, en el que se encuentra perfectamente integrado. El Molino de la Canchuela, situado junto al Río Grande de Bérchules y el GR-7. Y el Molino de las Marinas emplazado junto a la Fuente Agria.

Fiestas

San Marcos: 25 de abril. Se hace una romería entre Bérchules y Alcútar, en la que participan todos los animales domésticos de la zona y en la que se reparten roscas de pan a los asistentes. Antiguamente, la romería acababa en la Era Nueva, donde se pueden observar las “cinco garras del diablo”, grabadas en una laja.

San Pantaleón en Bérchules: 27 de julio. Los habitantes del pueblo encalan y engalanan sus casas para sus fiestas patronales. Hay una procesión y animadas verbenas nocturnas.

Nochevieja de Agosto: Primer sábado de agosto. Esta fiesta surgió en 1994 a raíz de un apagón que provocó que los berchuleros, esa Navidad, tomaran las uvas a la luz de velas y candiles. Así surgió este peculiar festejo muy conocido a nivel nacional. 

Cristo de la Misericordia de Alcútar: Primera quincena de agosto.

Gastronomía

Como parte del patrimonio de La Alpujarra, las recetas tradicionales de sus platos, hechas con productos de la tierra, han pasado de generación en generación.

En el municipio de Los Bérchules destacan “Las Sopas de Pimiento Tostao”, a base de pimientos choriceros, ajo, cebolla, almendras, “La Sobrehusa” con collejas, almendras y ajo. En repostería sobresalen “Los Peñascos Berchuleros”, elaborados con azúcar, huevos, almendras y agua.

Historia

El origen del nombre de Bérchules puede provenir del árabe “berchul”, que significa “vergel”, a colación de  la abundancia de fuentes, la fertilidad de sus tierras y a su agradable temperatura, aún encontrándonos a más de 1.300 metros sobre el nivel del mar. 

El poblamiento en Los Bérchules es al menos de origen mozárabe, siglo VIII, aunque es con el reinado nazarita cuando alcanza mayor esplendor y riqueza, principalmente por la producción de sedas que llegaba incluso a competir con las de Oriente.

Espacios

Los Bérchules comprenden una importante extensión del Parque Nacional, Parque Natural y Reserva de la Biosfera de Sierra Nevada.

Cerro del Gallo: Se encuentra en el límite norte del municipio de Los Bérchules. Cumbre importante dentro del Itinerario Integral de Sierra Nevada. Con abundante flora endémica alcanza una altitud de 2.913 metros sobre el nivel del mar.

Hoya de las Víboras: Con 2.200 metros de altitud, se sitúa en la Loma de Enmedio, al norte del municipio, entre los barrancos del Río Chico y del Río Grande. 

Río Grande de Bérchules: Río de alta montaña que discurre por tramos apreciablemente encajonados, con encinar en ladera y vegetación de ribera. Es la cabecera del Río Guadalfeo.

Turismo

Adecuación recreativa de Fuente Agria: Adecuación recreativa que se encuentra en la margen derecha del río Grande de Bérchules. Cuenta con un camino enlosado con lajas de piedra metamórfica. En la margen izquierda del río se encuentra una piscina de medianas dimensiones. Se localiza a unos 200 metros bajo el núcleo de Bérchules, en dirección este.

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