Four towns form the Nevada district, the most Eastern and elevated of the Alpujarra: Júbar, Laroles, Mairena and Picena. Although the four are equally typical and spectacular, each one of them has outstanding peculiarities that make them worth a visit. Their places conserve the quietness and natural beauty of their forests and rocks, in which it is possible to contemplate to magnificent specimens of the most genuine representative of the alpine fauna of the Alpujarras, the ibex.
In addition, only 16 kilometres away is located the Recreational Station of the Puerto de la Ragua, the second ski resort of the Granada province, where the cross-country skiing and many snow activities can be practiced.
Mairena is considered the balcony of the Alpujarra, because from the viewpoint of its hermitage privileged views over the Ugíjar valley, the Cerrajón de Murtas and the Almeria’s Gádor Mountain range can be enjoyed. It is in addition one of the whitest and better cared towns of the area, in whose urban core the silhouette of its church stands out. In the surrounding the legendary Stone of the Time is located, a rock which beneficial powers over the harvests were attributed to.
Not far from there, Júbar, the smallest town, constitutes in itself an authentic visual pleasure. This is owed to the traditional style of its architecture as much as the exuberance of the vegetation in which it appears totally integrated.
Laroles, official head of the City council of Nevada, stands out by its chestnut trees, whose magnificent specimens and their delicious fruits have been used as object of transaction throughout local history. It is necessary to emphasize its centennial singing fountain, which attracts thousands of people every year. In the superior part of the pillar, placed in 1681, an Immaculate Virgin of marble is attached and in the inferior one, a little angel promising that "With a pray to Maria 10 days of indulgence will be won".
The attraction of Picena lies in its houses staggered by the slope, that turn upside down almost literally over the Laroles River. This river flows down from Sierra Nevada marking the limit between the provinces of Granada and Almeria. In addition, its vegetation is so abundant that it even gets to hide the archaeological rests of its medieval castle
Of very remote origins, it is said that the present Nevada offered an important resistance to the Roman occupation as much as to the Berber one. In spite of it, its present location and the layout that today displays are of Muslim origin and still reminds the Nasrid administrative system.
By its strategic situation, this area played a fundamental role in the guerrillas war carried out by the Moorish during the reign of Felipe II. The rebellion was hardly repressed by the Christian troops. When the revolt was suffocated the Moorish were expelled from the town, reason why the town was practically depopulated.
The soup of parva stands out as typical dish from Nevada, cooked with cod, onion, peppers and olive oil.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
