This town was formed in 1973 by the link of the old independent town councils of Játar, Fornes and Arenas del Rey. It rises over a declivity of the land, at the bottom of the mountain and the shores borders of the Bermejales reservoir, the present settlement of Arenas del Rey has little more than a century, after being completely devastated by the fatal earthquake of the 25 of December of 1884 that also ended the life of many of its citizens. It was reconstructed and the most modern core of the town is called Poblado del Embalse, which was raised in the decade of 1960. It is located next to the dock of the reservoir in one of the most spectacular natural places of the region, at the beginning of the great gorge of the Cacín river and in the middle of a leafy coniferous forest. The reservoir, besides providing water to the entire region and the low fertile plains of Granada, constitutes a first class recreational and sport centre. During the summer becomes one of the most popular destinations for kid’s camps organized by the different public institutions of the province.
Vestiges of the Roman, Arab and Christian presence remain, but there is not much information until arrive at modern times. In the XIX century, during the War of Independence it was occupied by French soldiers. In 1884 its urban core it was knocked down by an earthquake that almost destroyed the town in its totality. In 1898 the reconstruction began at about 500 meters of its old location with money coming from donations from the entire country and even from the foreigners.
The fields of Arenas del Rey give good cereals, kidney beans, olives and almonds. The smaller hunting provides rabbits, hares or partridges, that they elaborate stewed with almonds and with sauces following the Moorish style. In Játar delicious homemade cheeses are elaborated.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
