Alicún de Ortega is a small town located on a plain, accompanied by the Guadahortuna river and practically in the limit with the Jaén province. It is necessary to stand out that it is one of the oldest towns of the province, and also one of the most historical, because is the Acatucci Roman. Known later as Agatugia, the Arab texts of the Middle Age called it Al-liqún, although in the chronicles of the expedition of the Aragonese Alfonso I “the Batallador” is called Al-liqut. Later, the Castilians, in whose power it was some time throughout the Nasrid period, transcribed its name to different text with the variants of Alicum, Alicur or Alicún, prevailing definitively this last one after the definitive conquest of the Catholic Kings.
A pretty church of the XVI century, of quadrangular plant can be visited in this city, although there are not many monuments, Alicún de Ortega is an especially attractive place to enjoy its wonderful natural surroundings: beautiful strolls by the shore of the Guadahortuna, routes through the forests and landscapes confer to this small town a calmed character.
The zone where this town is located has been inhabited since Prehistoric times. Important archaeological vestiges of the Neolithic period and Iberian period have been found here. During the Roman period it appears mentioned in the “Itinerary” from Arlés (France) to Cástulo (Linares) as a population of the Bastitania Tarraconense located 28 miles from Acci (Guadix). Since the VIII century the Muslims settled in the area and the town is gaining importance due to the fact that occupies a border area. In 1315 it serves as scene for the battle of Piedras Bermejas, in which the Christian troops defeated the forces of the Nasrid king of Granada and took the town. But it was not until almost two centuries later when the Catholic Kings conquered definitively this place as introduction of the conquer of Granada.
Alicún de Ortega has a very well cared and varied gastronomy. Thanks to its proximity with the Guadahortuna river, its inhabitants have been able to practice the irrigated land cultivation and they have small vineyards with which they elaborate their own wines. Some of its more characteristic dishes are the andrajos, migas of bread and potatoes, gachas and desserts as the wine twisted rolls, milk alfajores, cakes, etc.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
