Güéjar Sierra is located in the north-western slope of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, half way on the slope of the Cerro del Calar, at which base the waters of the Genil river flow. It is a mountain town divided in three neighbourhoods, with steep ramps and crystal-clear water streams, perfect for the practice of the rural tourism.
In fact, this town is the departure point of the main footpaths of medium and high mountain that ascent to Sierra Nevada, as the Vereda de la Estrella. Güéjar Sierra is 16 kilometres from the Alhambra and 25 from the ski resort of Sierra Nevada, and in it you can practice horse riding as well as trekking or bike routes. The urban core conserves the typical mountain architecture in some of its neighbourhoods. And its surroundings leave to the visitor places and corners of great ecological beauty, chestnuts forests and old quarries of serpentine or green jasper, as well as the old railroad of the tram that went up Sierra Nevada, plagued of tunnels and bridges.
In fact, this tram had two of its stops in the places of Maitena and El Charcón, turned today into places very frequented by the citizens of Granada at the week-ends. In both there are good restaurants where to taste typical dishes of the mountain cuisine and the pools of Maitena, with their fresh and clean waters, are delicious for a swim in the summer. The near Canales reservoir offers as well diverse activities and nautical sports.
The origin of Güéjar Sierra is completely Muslim, although the area could have been inhabited in the past by Romans and Visigoths. During the Arab time it was a small population dedicated to the production of silk and thread. It would be taken by the Catholic Kings during the Reconquista, although its population would support later the Moorish revolt. The rebellion was hardly repressed and the Moorish expelled from the town, not without offering before a ferocious resistance. According to the historians mention, the submission of the three hundred inhabitants that Güéjar Sierra had then it needed the participation of Juan of Austria and 15,000 of his trained and perfectly armed soldiers. Since 1572 the repopulation process began and in 1575 it got separated from Granada and it obtained its independence as town.
Güéjar Sierra is one of the favourite towns for the citizens of Granada to go for a meal at the week-ends. Its choto al ajillo with red potatoes stewed "a lo pobre", the hot gachas and, mainly, the roasted pork are famous, with which its inhabitants celebrate a party where the best recipes of roasted pork with sauce compete. The chacinas derived from the pig, mainly chorizo and black pudding, can also be tasted, accompanied by the good wine. The bread is known and very artisan and is elaborated in this town in the firewood ovens. With this product the migas are elaborated, which are also cooked with flour. From the desserts, the twisted rolls of anise and the fried milk with sugar and cinnamon.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
