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Trail Run Spain - The Areas of Poniente Granadino and Alhama de Granada. |
Poniente Granadino
The Poniente Granadino is located in the western most part of the Province of Granada and covers an area of 2,044 km2. The region contains 16 municipalities including Alhama de Granada, Santa Cruz del Comercio, Cacin, Jatar, Jayena, Arenas del Rey, Loja, Montefrio and Illora. Its privileged position allows the visitor to reach the cities of Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba and Malaga with relative ease. Malaga airport is within 1.5 hours drive, and Granada airport is within 50 minutes. The mountains and ski resort of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara and the beaches of the Mediterranean are all within an hours drive and the beautiful Lake Bermejales is only 15min from Alhama de Granada.
It is an area of high plains, mountains, rivers, forests and agriculture crossed by numerous tracks and well surfaced, quiet roads. Relatively un-known compared to the overbuilt chaos of the neighbouring Costa del Sol the collection of towns and villages which make up the Poniente Granadino have an archaeological and architectural heritage of incalculable value.
* visit the Gallery for more images.
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Alhama de Granada
This fairly large town, 54km south west of Granada and 900 metres above sea level is situated on the edge of a huge gorge. Its origins date back to Neolithic and Roman times when it was known as Artigi. The nearby hot springs fascinated the Arabs who built a therapy centre and changed its name to al-Hamman which means hot water.
The town, particularly the Arab quarter along the gorge, (Tajo), edge, is a fascinating mix of narrow streets, squares, fountains such as the 16 th century Wamba and beautiful buildings with coats of arms carved into the door arches. The huge, fortified tower of the 15 th century Iglesia de la Encarnacion dominates the town and the church, probably built on the site of the former Grand Mosque, is a visual reference point for Alhama. Nearby is the El Posito, (Communal Granary), a former 13 th century synagogue, the old prison, (carcel), the former headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition, the castle and the Arab dungeons, which were also used as grain stores.
The gorge itself can be walked from end to end and the caves, ruined flour mills and lagoons along the edge of the trout filled Alhama river make for some interesting exploring. Steps or steep slopes at various points lead up into the town including some near vertical ones carved into the rock.
The hot springs, Health spa and Moorish baths are just north of the town. Constructed over Roman ruins by the Moors in the 12 th century the luxuriant gardens and thermal waters,
(47 degrees C) with their curative properties attract a steady flow of visitors.
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Poniente Granadino, Andalucia, Spain. |
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