This villa is located at the base of Sierra Nevada and in the surroundings of the Puerto de la Ragua ski resort, which shares its local jurisdiction with the Alpujarra’s populations of Nevada, by the Granada’s side, and Bayárcal, by the Almeria’s side.
The Ferreira district, included almost completely within the limits of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, has many advisable corners for the lovers of trekking, climbing or the simple contemplation of nature, especially in spring, when the plantations of almond trees are in flower. Between the corners the place where the hermitage is nailed, one of the leafiest and most attractive places of the surroundings, known by the citizens of the district as El Castañar, stands out. As well as the own Puerto de la Ragua, which is the only pass from the North slope to the south one of Sierra Nevada historically practicable to the cavalries and vehicles, or nowadays to the motorized vehicles. To go walking, if the snow allows it, there are other traditional passes, as the Puerto del Lobo, which links Yegen with Aldeire, or the one of Rio Seco, which from Capileira or Trevélez allows arriving to Güéjar Sierra.
An Argaric cemetery found at the foot of the hill of Juan Canal demonstrates the existence of this villa since prehistoric times. As well as the burials, huge storage vessels, plates and other ceramic and metal objects were found here and they are in the Archaeological Museum of Granada.
The rich mining deposits, which give name to the district, attracted also the Arabs, and is mentioned by the writer of the time Al-Idrisi in the XII century as fortified place. In 1489, with the capitulation of El Zagal, it fell into the hands of the Catholic Kings. Later they joined the Moorish revolt, being one of the places more affected by the war. When the rebellion was suffocated, the Moorish were expelled and the district was repopulated with settlers from other places of the Kingdom.
As in the rest of the region, excellent sweet almendrados and homemade cheeses are also elaborated here, among which its popular soplillos stand out. As typical recipe the Choto with Mushrooms stands out, and its dishes usually include meats coming from the small hunting. Good sausages are also elaborated here, like jams, longanizas and other derivatives of the pig. Once in a while the wild boar meat can also be enjoyed.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
