Loja

Loja is a city that in the past controlled the communication links between Granada and Malaga. It is the most important town in the region because of its long history and, its number of inhabitants and its vast territories.

It is located in the narrow lush valley of the Río Genil and opens up to the Sierra Gorda and Monte Hacho. It has a number of archaeological remains from the Bronze Age and Muslim period, which include the ruins of its medieval citadel and the fortified wall that surrounded its old medina.

A historian of that time described Loja as: “… a wild and picturesque (town), built at the foot of a barren mountain. The ruins of a Moorish palace crown the rocky hill that rises up in the centre of the city. The Río Genil flows at its feet … “.

Loja was the gate and key to the Kingdom of Granada in the eyes of the Catholic Monarchs. The Arabic name of Loja, Medina Lauxa (that literally means Guardian City) refers to its strategic importance and the crucial military role it played during the Christian conquest of the Kingdom of Granada. Ferdinand and Isabella held the town in high esteem. After it fell into their hands in 1486 after three days of siege, the monarchs bestowed a new coat of arms on the town depicting a gold castle on a silver bridge with the words “a flower among thorns” written below it.

The water runs down from the Sierra de Loja into the Río Genil, from which numerous fresh springs pop up. The abundance of water can also be noticed in the Paraje de Los Infiernos, an official Natural Monument, with its deep green gorge and spectacular waterfalls.

Loja has an impressive list of tourist attractions. Besides its historical and architectural heritage, the Sierra de Loja offers walks and trails in breath-taking surroundings, such as the Charco del Negro. It is also the perfect place for paragliding with the Estación de Vuelo Libre de Loja as your starting point and the Venta del Rayo as your landing area.

According to legend, Loja was founded by Noah’s grandson, Tubal, and was called Alfeia. When the Phoenicians were here in the 8^th century, it was called Tricolia, it was a very prosperous town.  The Romans under Scipio changed its name to that of Lascivis (that means the place of rushing waters and delights). Later the Arabs transformed it into their Medina Lauxa. It was the Muslims who really made it into a town of some significance. It played an important role in the civil wars of the Caliphate of Córdoba and later acquired a distinctly military character. It was used to guard and monitor the plains and was in the front line for defending the Nasrid Kingdom.

King Ferdinand besieged the town in 1482 but could not conquer it. He finally succeeded in 1486, a victory that helped the Christian conquest advance. More than 5000 Muslims left the city for Granada. The fall of the town and the whole Nasrid Kingdom soon afterwards has been the subject of many folk ballads.

There are three important events in the dense historical past of the town. The first is the death of the famous Doncel de Sigüenza in one of the attempts by the Christians to conquer the town square in the war against the Nasrid kings. The second is the birth of General Narváez, the head of Isabel II’s government, whose family mansion and his mausoleum can be visited today. The third is the birth of Ibn Al-Khatib, the geographer, historian and poet, considered one of the finest creators of of Arab-Andalusian literature. He was born in Loja in 1313 and was killed in Morocco in 1374.  Twice he was vizier of the Nasrid Court and was forced into exile on both occasions because of continued internal fighting.

Loja has always been an important communication hub and has managed to maintain many of its customs and traditions. This is also reflected in its cuisine.  Delcious dishes include Sobrehúsa de habas, Remojón de naranja, Porra, Gazpacho y famous local doughnuts and their Huesos de santo. Trout is very good here because it is fresh from the Riofrío as is the local sturgeon and caviar.