Láchar

This town is located in the plains of Granada, nestled in amongst poplar forests and lovely orchards. Láchar is surrounded by areas that are fantastic for all kinds of outdoor activities, especially the area known as the Pinares.

The origin of the name Láchar is unclear. Some say it comes from ‘Luna bella’ (beautiful moon), whilst others say it comes from the Arabic al-Lanchar, that means a water source or spring before it supplies a town or village. This version would make more sense, because of the fact that the town’s cemetery used to be a pond, but was purposely dried out to make it into arable land and later into a cemetery.

Láchar was founded in the Muslim era and was a thriving town with many inhabitants because of its agricultural prosperity; it supplied Granada with grain and vegetables. During the war between the Christians and Muslims in 1431, Alvaro de Luna punished this town for not sending more products to the capital. After the war, the Catholic Monarchs gave the town to the de Benalúa family.

In 1568 the Moorish uprising took place, which resulted in the expulsion of the Moors. Láchar was repopulated with settlers from Castile, Asturias and Galicia. Since then its population has grown steadily, except in the years between 1960 and 1981.

The inhabitants of Láchar love shooting pheasant and partridge and using their meat in the local dishes. Other typical dishes include vegetable stews, Choto al ajillo and Tortillas de collejas.