Soportújar

Just 200 metres higher than Carataunas, Soportújar is one of the most characteristic villages of La Alpujarra. It has many ‘tinaos’, a kind of alley that, due to the sloped landscape, creates streets that run under houses.

It is here that the first Buddhist centre in Spain is located. It was founded by Lama Yeshé in the Cerro de Atalaya and consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself. Here anyone, even non-Buddhists, may enjoy an isolated retreat and immerse themselves in nature. The centre is called O Sel Ling, which means ‘place of clear light’.

It is highly recommended to visit the Casa Forestal located in the Parque de Soportújar, a few kilometres above the village. You can reach it by the track that leaves the Padre Eterno passing by leafy trees.

Soportújar is located in the middle of the Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada in La Alpujarra. It dates back to the 13^th century, when it was a farmstead belonging to the Taha de Órgiva.

The whole region played a role in the revolt led by Abén Humeya in the 16^th century and paid for the consequences with the expulsion of the Moorish rebels. Consequently, the area suffered a drastic depopulation. King Felipe II gave the town to 27 families from other regions of Spain, and since then the town has retained its typical local character and has not grown much.

The name ‘Soportújar’ means ‘place of arcades’ and refers to the many typical ‘tinaos’ (passages, streets) that cross the town.

In Soportújar delicious red apples and chestnuts are grown, and very good olive oil is produced too. Migas, fried potatoes, fennel stews, gypsy casseroles, sausages and hams are all delicious. The town has a number of variations of Roscos (doughnuts) – a typical and popular local pastry.