Lobras is on a small hill, and the village’s church square stands on the summit, some 936 metres above sea level. Both the church itself and the town hall are located in this square. Of all the villages in the municipal district, Tímar is the furthest north. It is built around the curves of the hillside beneath the Cerro El Fuerte, at 1,070 metres above sea level. Los Morones is a collection of scattered farmhouses, mostly in shady areas, set amidst a group of streams which flow into the Río Gua-dalfeo. The houses are all between 750 and 1,300 metres above sea level.
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 16th 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 19th century.