Considered in the olden days as authentic “city” of the region, Ugíjar is one of the richest towns in historical and monumental houses of the entire province. It was defined as “aristocratic” by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón and, an important traveller of the decade of 1950, the Swiss Jean-Christian Spahni, considered Ugíjar like the most colourful town of the Alpujarra.
This district has a good capacity of accommodation, excellent restaurants and all type of businesses and services. In addition, its privileged geographic situation, the limit with the Almeria’s Alpujarra, turns it into an ideal area to settle and to organize excursions by the different routes of the region, including its own anejos.
Cherín, surrounded by olive groves, is the closest and most cheerful anejo. But if the east of the district is an orchard, the south seems the African desert. In order to check it you only have to cross the Dry Boulevard and get to Las Canteras. The land that surrounds Los Montoros produces the same impression of extreme dryness, from where it is enjoyed completely, the fresh air and the landscape. Although for amplitude of views, those that Jorairátar offers from its privileged position, in the last spurs of La Contraviesa Mountain range.
It is nailed in the Nechite river valley, in the Eastern part of the Alpujarra, the origins of Ugíjar as population centre could go back to the Roman Empire. This theory is defended by some historians who maintain that then it was called Hortum Sacrum, which in Latin means holy orchard. But the truth is that it appears mentioned for the first time in the XI century in the chronicles of Al-Udri.
During the Nasrid period it belonged to the taha of its same name, being elevated to the rank of city in 1493. This happened when Boabdil, the last Nasrid King, transferred his residence to this region after the delivery of Granada to the Catholic Kings. It was then a prosperous district that enjoyed a flourishing agriculture and it was defended by a fortress in Cherín. But this time of splendour was broken by the Moorish rebellion and expulsion.
Its of hunting dishes are very popular and praised, among which the marinated in vinegar partridge stands out. The jams of Ugíjar have also fame, but one of its more original and appetizing recipes is a gravy prepared with olives and cod. In addition, it is also well known the turrón, elaborated by a craftsman, member of a dynasty who takes it from fair to fair by all the places of Spain.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
