The villa of Jayena, the Chayyana of the Nasrids, is located in the valley that forms the Grande river in its reduction from the Cerros de Piedra Sellada towards the Bermejales reservoir. Its panoramic views are limited respectively to the right and left by the mountain ranges of Játar and the Mora. Due to its natural frame, Jayena enjoys good camping areas. In the left margin of the Grande river, in the area known as “vacal”, trekking and other sports related with nature can be practiced.
Although the formation of this town goes back to the Islamic period, rests belonging to previous cultures, like the Roman, and even the Neolithic one have been found. It was in Christian hands after the Reconquista carried out by the Catholic Kings who culminated it in 1492 with the fall of Granada. Later, after the ups and downs of the Christianization it was donated by the Catholic Kings to the infant Pedro of Granada, from who the Marquises of Campotéjar would descend. In the XVIII century Jayena is not yet a district, but that depended on the region of Alhama, taking place the segregation at the end of that century or principles of the XIX. During the French invasion of the XIX century the Napoleonic troops passed by this place. In 1884 it underwent an earthquake that destroyed its town centre completely. The present core was constructed with the contributions received from all Spain by initiative of the king Alfonso XII.
In Jayena cereals, legumes and vegetables are cultivated, but mainly almond trees and olive trees. Among its dishes, the migas, calderetas, roasted dishes and rice stand out. As typical recipe of Jayena the onion trouts stand out. Nowadays, Jayena is also becoming popular its name in the world of the gastronomy as producer of one of the best goat cheeses of the province. It is made in the Cortijo de Rota by the traditional homemade method and it is commercialized under the peculiar mark of Cueva de la Magahá.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
