Darro is located at 1,200 meters of altitude, in the heart of the Arana Mountain range, from where magnificent panoramic views of the Penibética mountain range are contemplated. The town, which is framed in the Hoya de Guadix, has in its district one of the oldest and most important prehistoric sites of the province, the Horá Cave. This shelter has the shape of natural bridge. Its two entrances put in communication the inner area of the mountain range with the depression of Guadix, which throughout history has turned it into an ideal place to watch the territory or to watch hunting preys. These characteristics contributed to the fact that it was occupied by the man at least 30,000 years ago. It was discovered in 1925 by the German Obermaier and excavated three decades later by the Swiss Spanhi and the Spanish Pellicer. It will not be until the decade of 1970 when its great value is known, since, according to expert archaeologists, it has proved the presence of the Neanderthalense man and the settlement of the Musteriense culture. Silex utensils and bones of varied fauna, like red deers, turtles and, even, rhinos have been found.
In the topology of the Darro town centre the architectonic styles Andalusian and manchego are mixed, fruit of the repopulation after the Moorish rebellion, giving as a result a peculiar mixture of urban landscapes. Besides, the fountain of 24 jets, that has great popularity among the people of this place, stands out. The agricultural activity of this district is based on the cultivation of cereals and olive trees.
The area where this district is based has been inhabited since the Inferior Palaeolithic, the Bronze Age and the Neolithic period. The existence of fertile soil on the edge of the rivers and iron and copper deposits favoured the human presence through the years. In its archaeological sites pieces of great value and historical importance that demonstrate the existence of these prehistoric settlements have been found.
The district has been known throughout its history like Harat Darro and Hadarro. During the Arab period it was not a town of great relevance and after the Christian conquest it suffered the expulsion of its Moorish and the later repopulation with settlers of other regions. In the XVIII century, the Marques of Ariza donated lands where its parochial church was based. This way he became benefactor of the town. Lately, the development with new constructions around the slope of the mount that flanks it to the west has been added to its traditional urban structure.
Darro is a place of excellent sausages, like filling, garlic sausage, black pudding and salchichón. Of its more traditional recipes, the barbecued lamb and the choto cooked of diverse forms stand out. Among its desserts the pringue cakes and the egg twisted rolls stand out.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
