In the fertile plain of the Alhama river, at the first spurs of Sierra Nevada, the villa of Beas de Guadix is located, where the old road Roman that linked Guadix with Granada through La Peza passed. In this small town it is possible to enjoy nature in all its apogee. It is surrounded by extensive forests of pines and it has many viewpoints, where the known like the one of the Fin del Mundo, with Sierra Nevada and the badlands as background, stands out. It has as well archaeological sites of different times and many houses in caves that were inhabited since the olden days, and still today, continues housing people. It can also be interesting to visit the old water mills or the old medieval wine press.
The origins of this town go back to Prehistoric times, as the rests and caves of the Argaric culture conserved indicate. The Romans had in this area a point of supply in the place where the route that went from Granada to Guadix was crossed with the one of La Peza. In fact, it The name of the population seems to allude to the Roman road, which comes from the word viax, derived as well from Via Acci, “Way of Guadix”. In addition, vestiges of several villas demonstrate that this population acquired particular importance during the Roman period.
Later, with the Arabs, it maintained its prominence due to its strategic location, as the construction of a defensive fortress of the Nasrid dynasty demonstrates. During years it suffered the passage of countless military expeditions reason why it served as prison for the Christian soldiers who were captured in the skirmishes of the region. That is why it was called Veas of the Captivated during some time.
Due to its proximity with the Alhama river, the inhabitants of Beas de Guadix have been able to take care of their orchards, their fruit trees, especially peach trees, and their vineyards, olive groves and cereals. Among its typical dishes they have the chicken with rice, migas pastoreras or the pimentón broth.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
