Huéneja

Huéneja is on the border with the province of Almería. The town is located between two ravines made up of three neighbourhoods called Cuevas, Estación and Huertezuela. In addition to its rich history, the Arab baths and the parish church, visitors can also enjoy the town’s amazing natural surroundings.

Nearby you can see the peaks of Los Castaños, with a recreation area known as the Molino Bajo. These are great places to spend a day enjoying the countryside, surrounded by old chestnut trees and many other trees near the Sierra Nevada. The water here is rich in minerals and has medicinal properties. There are many roads and trails to take you straight into nature and they are ideal for hiking and mountain biking.

The town dates back to Prehistoric times, although it was not until the Middle Ages when people left their testimony of their stay in these lands. Its name derives from the Arabic word ‘wana’ya’ which, according to most versions, translates as ‘lira’, referring to the ninety-degree arc that forms the pit to the edges of the town. Several prehistoric glasses belonging to the Argaric culture have been found here. Huéneja also belonged to the municipality of Bastetania and even the Roman colony of Julia Gemela Acci.

According to several experts, during the Arab period people coming from Yemen settled here. In addition, various sources and written documents of this period confirm the existence of a castle in the area . It was a farmstead used by Boadbil, the last Moorish king of Granada, as a refuge during the Moorish uprising. The Arab baths, the ruins of the castle, and the foundations of the irrigation canals and mills are all examples of the Moors’ heritage in Spain.

With the Moors’ uprising, the town, like the ones located nearby, suffered from looting and the destruction of monuments. Once the revolt was suppressed, Huéneja saw an increase in its population thanks to the introduction of arable land, houses and tax exemptions.

The traditional cuisine of Huéneja includes dishes such as the Migas, Olla de segadores, chilli pepper soup, handmade bread, stews and Calostros.

Huéneja also produces pastries, inspired by Moorish cuisine, such as cakes, shortbread, biscuits, Torta de chicharrones, almond biscuits and Roscos de huevo.