Marchal is located in the Hoya de Guadix, in a fertile plain watered by the rivers that descend from the North slope of Sierra Nevada, physical space declared Natural Park, whose limits are very close to it. This small town surprises by the spectacular scenery that has in the background the snow-covered summits and a singular town centre, with many houses excavated in caves.
Of clear medieval origin, it was known during centuries as El Marchal. The patrimony of this town is its main tourist attraction, the Parochial Church of Our Lady of the Announcement and the Palace of the Gallardo family or the Pink House stand out. Another alternative is the rural tourism. A way to enjoy it is to rent a rural house or to sleep in a tourist accommodation in caves.
Its district was part of the Gallardo Estate and included in its jurisdiction some places very near, today more important, as it is the case of Purullena, which remained long time under its dependency. But apart from being the capital of the district, Marchal lost decades ago the article of its name, coinciding with the parcellation of its land that ended with the previous state of large estate.
Numerous archaeological rests found in the area testify the settlement of prehistoric civilizations. Its origin as population is in the Middle Age, from a cortijada created by the Muslims. It also suffered warlike confrontations and operations of harassment during several centuries, until its definitive conquest at the end of the XV century. It seems that the last Moorish were based on its pagos. Part of them could hide or return after the expulsion and inhabit the caves.
Varied orchard products that are combined with the derivatives of cereals, almond trees and olive trees can be tasted In Marchal. Its wines, as popular as artisan, always accompany the table of this town.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
