Jérez del Marquesado

Jérez de Marquesado is located in the Marquesado del Zenete, one of the highest plateaus in Spain, with an average altitude of over 1,000 metres above sea level.

The first settlers in Jérez del Marquesado were in the Argaric period. The oldest Neolithic remains are located in the Peñón de Alrutan, where other remains from the Iberian period (3^rd century BC) have also been found. However, the town’s Arab past is very evident, with its winding streets and squares, its windows and balconies overflowing with geraniums. The Mudejar-style parish church dates back to the 16^th century, and the remains of a Moorish castle, with several towers still intact, are also very interesting.

Located in the Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada, the municipality has beautiful surroundings. The refuge Posterio Alto, situated at 1,880 metres of altitude, is the starting point for mountain excursions in the Sierra Nevada. Less difficult is the path that leads to the mines of Santa Constanza and to the Molinos de los Regas. We also recommended the walk to the recreation area of ​​La Tizná, located in the Barranco de Alcazar, at 12 kilometres from the town. It is reached by walking along a forest track surrounded by chestnut trees.

Jérez Marquesado is famous for its running of the bulls and its bullfights.

Jérez del Marquesado was built on the site of an earlier settlement called Mecina, a place that had an abundance of water and that from the 12^th century onwards had several public baths and even served Guadix. At that time the town was called ‘Xeris’ and produced a lot of grapes and fertile crops. A fortress was built for the Judge of Wadias (present-day Guadix), which he mainly used as a summer residence. It was to here that some of the people fleeing from the conquest of the city escaped and hid. After the Reconquista its population was supressed, resulting in the uprising of the Moors. They were expelled and the town’s population dropped significantly. However, it was later repopulated by people from Galicia, Asturias, Castilla and León.

The finest local dishes include Rin ran de bacalao (cod), Migas de pan, potatoes and Olla de habas. Depending on the time of year, we highly recommend local sausages and hams.