Júbar
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.