In the High Alpujarra, on a plateau surrounded by chestnut trees, Juviles is located. Only bleak ruins remain of its last splendour in the place that occupied its famous castle, on a rock near the town that is known as El Fuerte. Inside this enclosure the factories of the medieval rain tanks are still conserved, one which is known by the citizens as the Hermitage of the Moors, from where all the extension of the old Taha de Juviles can be contemplated. The town enjoys magnificent views of its surroundings and much quietness in its interior. Other colourful and worthy places to visit in the surroundings of the town are the Tajo del Aguila and the popular Pisada del Gigante, an imposing limestone rock wall, under which there are terraces destined to the irrigated land cultivations, dispersed oaks and low mounts. In the wall it appears a form that is resembled the track of a human foot of great dimensions.
Other interesting aspects of Juviles are its celebrations of Moors and Christians, those of more tradition of the province, and its magnificent jams cured with the air of the mountain.
A fortress of the VIII century shows that Juviles has its origin in the first years of the Muslim occupation. This fortress had special importance by its strategic position and because it served as refuge when there was a military danger. It was here where Mozarab rebels of the Alpujarra took refuge and it was surrounded by Abderramán III in the summer of 913. After fifteen days of siege the Andalusian Muslims asked for the pardon of the Emir, promising to give him the Christians protected between its walls, which were beheaded.
The fortress acquired great prominence during the Granada campaign when it opposed a very hard resistance. For this reason Fernando the Catholic King ordered its destruction.
Juviles got to be head of the taha of its name that it included twelve places and twenty-three anejos. It took the side of the leader Abén Humeya during the Moorish rebellion and for that reason it paid a high price. More than a thousand of the Mudejar captivated died in the hands of the Marques of Mondéjar, in an area that since then is known like Orchard of the Martyrs. Once the Moorish were expelled, after the military victory of Juan of Austria at the end of the XVI century, the entire region was repopulated, with old Christians mainly from Castile.
In Juviles can be tasted the typical cuisine of the region. Spanish stews, couscous, lamb, chotos and piglets. The jams stand out. The mushrooms with cured jam is the most characteristic dish of this town.
© Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada I Diputación de Granada
