The Boquete de Zafarraya is the mountain pass that marks the transition between the Axarquía of Malaga and the land of Alhama; it is the geographic feature that cuts and separates the rocky screens of the Alhama and Tejeda mountain ranges and opens a natural way between the Western Granada province and the Mediterranean coast. After the Boquete and the settlement of Venta de Zafarraya appear the Llanos de Zafarraya, which houses the town of this name drawing a fertile and beautiful plain. They form a geologic corridor of ten of kilometres, corresponding to a kárstic depression.
Zafarraya is an ideal place to spend the summer because of its cool weather in summer, the proximity of the beach and the freshness and fertility of its cultivation fields.
From the Llanos it is possible to access through mountain roads to Loja, Salar or Alhama, passing by colourful places like Las Parideras, El Carrascal, El Refugio or Fuente del Espino. It is also possible to access to the coast through white paths, through the pine forest of Sierra Umbria. Going up by the road to Bernagal the spectacular panoramic view of the entire Llanos with the Boquete at the back can be seen.
From the ancient period the man settled here. The rests of the so called Man of Zafarraya (dated in 30.000 years) therefore testify it. Its discovery provided a great testimony about the human link of Neanderthal. In the II millennium b.C. the culture from the Argar arrives at this area with settlements located in sites of easy defence. There is an argaric site to the south of the Llano. Phoenicians and also Romans settled their camps here, as it demonstrates the objects and rests of old roads found.
Nevertheless, it will be with the arrival of the Muslims when the area becomes well-known by its cattle wealth. Thus its name comes from the Arab, Fahs al-raiyya or "field of shepherds", although there are people who think that it comes from Saiarraya, which means "territory limit". In the middle of the VIII century, the corridor of Zafarraya contemplates the parade of the omeya prince Abd al-Rahman towards its proclamation as Emir of al-Andalus. This same corridor was used by the Muslims in numerous occasions, as for the recovery of Vélez and in the Christian conquest of Alhama and Loja. Rest of many communication towers remain that connected the coast with the peninsular interior. This area was part of the Nasrid royal road, through where so many Arab travellers passed, Ibn Batuta in 1349 among them.
After the Christian conquest, the meadow passed to depend on Vélez Malaga beginning between this one and Alhama a long lawsuit that would last centuries. Its trajectory would be interrupted by the earthquake in 1884 that damaged 80% of the buildings forcing to an intense reconstruction. In 1913 Zafarraya it is constituted as independent villa and later as a town.
Due to its proximity, the cuisine of Zafarraya has among its products common recipes from Malaga, like the cachorreñas soups, the ajo blanco or the cold morrete. More native are the chanquetes of the mountain range, the soup of maimones or the stews. They also cook Spanish stews, choto al ajillo, lamb chops or back of orza. And for dessert the palillos, the arropia, the papabeotes or the twisted rolls of San Marcos stand out.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
