The town of Pinos Genil is divided in two by the waters of the old Síngilis river of the Romans. The town is divided by a bridge of new construction, since the old one was destroyed during a flood. Framed in a beautiful natural place, it offers to the visitor a wide range of routes and it is crossed by footpaths, fishing boundaries of the so called Cañadas Reales. The landscape is completed with natural springs that invite to rest and to relax. Within the urban core, its historical town centre is immersed in a location very protected by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Special mention deserve the tunnels of the missing tram line of Sierra Nevada, the old buildings and the electrical power station of the town, the Alto del Cerro de la Cruz, with its magnificent views, the Boundary of Intensive Fishing Pinillos (located in the Canales reservoir) and the Paraje de la Fuente del Lobo.
Called Pinillos since the Middle Age, this town was inhabited by Mozarabs and Hispanic-Visigoths in the X century. This town was dedicated to the agriculture, pasturing and the art of war. With the later settlement of the Muslim town, very marked retaliation took place in Pinos Genil. Even, Juan of Austria had to take part, due to its location. In spite of not having a castle for its defence, the nature fortified Pines with the steep and spectacular rock that presides the gorge of the Genil. To go up this rock it was necessary to climb by an staircase carved in the same stone. From its top, used as a fighting square, the Muslim settlers prevented at its time the entrance of Christian arriving from the river.
The old chronicles emphasize the existence of two great caves immediate to this rock in which to protect the population and the cattle. The quietness arrived to the town of Pinos Genil after the Reconquista and the signature of the Capitulations, although it was broken with Moorish rebellions in the XVI century, which extended until their expulsion one century later. Later the repopulation of these land took place. Recently the town has been immersed in a city-planning development because has been chosen as place for second residence.
The gastronomy of Pinos Genil is nourished of rich vegetables cultivated in the orchards of this town. Its dishes of migas and the rice stew are traditional. The meats are also very present in the recipes that the town offers, as well as sausages and chacinas.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
