It is located almost 900 meters over sea level, in the spurs of the Huétor Mountain range and, like the towns around, on the edge of the Aguas Blancas river. The structure of Quéntar displays the typical narrow and steep streets of the mountain towns of andalusí foundation. Flanked by colourful places, the town offers to the visitor routes by the called Tajo del Castillejo, enormous natural cut formed by the stream before arriving at the urban core. Another of the attractions is the reservoir, one of the most spectacular hydraulic works of the province. Quéntar is also known by its traditional celebrations and the representations of battles between Moors and Christians, emulated by the own citizens in the most outstanding locations of the town.
Archaeological vestiges of Iberian-Roman time that seem to document a previous settlement to the Muslim presence in Quéntar have been found. The first historical news of the town do not arrive until the XIII century, already in the middle of the Nasrid period, when among the 28 districts (isqlim) that formed the Cora de Elvira appears mentioned the Isqlim of the Dur. This name is identified with an old town of equal denomination, today disappeared. It also included the farmhouse of Quéntar called, according to Seco de Lucena, as Qariat Quentar and divided in three settlements. The name that it received has not been deciphered yet by the experts.
Due to its proximity to the capital, the luck of the town ran even with the one of the capital, falling in the Catholic Kings hands at the end of the XV century and living a century later the rebellion of the Moorish against Felipe II. In this place, the revolt was confronted by Don Juan of Austria in 1569. In commemoration of these events it is celebrated in this and other towns of the surroundings the known battle between Moors and Christians. Since this moment the repopulation of these land was carried out and it follow a similar evolution to the one of the rest of the province.
The gastronomy of Quéntar is an example of the products that are cultivated in its land, like the almonds, olives and cherries. Their sausages and inlays are also known in the place and very present in the rich dishes that the people elaborate. About the meats, recipes with products from the slaughter are prepared, that often are accompanied by the dry fruits of the region. One of most showy is the pork with chestnuts and plums.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
