Pampaneira is the lowest of the three stepped populations that form the Poqueira Ravine. This town stands out by its extraordinary architecture, which conserves the Alpujarra’s tradition of the white houses of flat roofs with chimney of sombrerillo and the typical tinaos. It is also recognized its wealth and artisan variety, that includes all type of ceramics, weaves as the jarapas and other objects typical of the region.
It fountains deserve also special mention, some of them with mining-medicinal waters, and others, like the one of Chumpaneira, with “energy” even matchmaking. As it can be read in the mural placed over the three jets of the pillar, where it is said “it is fountain of the virtue and it has such magnitude that unmarried person who drinks with intention to marry does not fail, because right away fiancée has, you will see it".
This town celebrates every autumn an artisan, agricultural and tourist fair, considered as the most complete sample of its sort of the entire region. Gastronomy products are also included, Moorish pastry making and derivatives of the pig mainly.
The origin of Pampaneira is of Roman time. Its names comes from the Latin word pampinus, which means pámpano and makes reference to the fertility of its soil. In spite of it, the urban configuration that displays and its architecture is clearly Berber. It was indeed with the Muslims when this district experienced an important agricultural development, specially with the silk production. After the Reconquista and the consequent Moorish expulsion, it was repopulated with Christians coming from Leon and Galicia. It was declared Historical Artistic Complex along with Bubión and Capileira, and it has been first prize of Decoration of Towns and National Prize of Tourism twice.
The homemade food and the excellent products are the destiny of this region. Here, stews, pots, soups, migas, several types of sausages, Moorish sweets and, mainly, the alpujarreño plate, “invented” and served for the first time in one of the restaurants of Pampaneira, are eaten. It is ideal to refill batteries after a long stroll around the surroundings: potatoes a lo pobre with peppers and onion, fried eggs, jam, back, black pudding and garlic sausage. And for dessert, a siesta.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
