Villa Ciscarejo Country house between orange groves in Gádor (Almería)

The territory that sheltered Boabdil, the deposed last king of Al-Andalus, before he set off for Africa stretches between the provinces of Almería and Granada. This route passes through one of the most authentic areas of the region, marked by the ancestral heritage of the last Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula.
In the historic village of Fondón, both Moorish heritage and important Christian elements are present. Evidence of its glorious past includes the numerous coats of arms on the facades of the manor houses, the proud tower of its church, the old granary, now the town hall, and the fountain of Carlos IV, decorated with the coat of arms of the Spanish monarchy.

The Muslim past is still evident in the towns of Benecid and Fuente Victoria. This is also where the Palace of the Rey Chico is located, where Boabdil stayed for a time after the surrender of Granada to the Catholic Monarchs. Despite the Christian conquest, Muslims remained the majority in this part of Al-Andalus for a long time until they were definitively expelled from the peninsula at the end of the 16th century following the tragic events of the revolt led by the Moorish Aben Humeya. In Benecid, the so-called Cortijo de las Paces (Estate of Peace) has been preserved to this day. It is said that at its entrance the peace treaty was signed between the rebellious Moors and the Christian troops of Don Juan de Austria, which marked the end of the Moors in Spain.

Laujar de Andarax, once the capital of the Moorish kingdom of Aben Humeya and his successor, Aben Aboo, is today the capital of the Alpujarra Almeriense. Its white houses clinging to the mountain, with the peaks of the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop, make this village one of the most attractive destinations for rural tourism, with a resort complex equipped with every service and comfort. Its location on the Andarax River in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park explains the astonishing number of wells and springs. This valuable natural wealth combines with the town's great cultural heritage.

And to finish, a little art. A visit to the Church of the Incarnation, the town's treasured jewel, is highly recommended. The church houses an image of the Virgin Mary by the famous sculptor Alonso Cano and an interesting collection of Dutch art. The area surrounding Laujar de Andarax also offers numerous opportunities to enjoy nature. Just 2 km from the town is the Recreational Area of Nacimiento, the ideal place to spend a relaxing day in the countryside, at the head of the Andarax River.

In the area around Alcolea, known to Islamic geographers as Alcolaya, Roman remains have been unearthed, testifying to the antiquity of this peaceful area surrounded by almond and olive trees. Visitors will find spectacular viewpoints and a recreational area here. Of particular interest are the 17th-century Parish Church of San Sebastián, the Chapel of San Sebastián and San Ildefonso, and the Chapel of Santa Rosa de Lima, a beautiful 18th-century building. The rural settlements of Lucainena and Darrícal, belonging to the municipality of Alcolea, with their small churches from the 18th and 17th centuries, respectively, complete the visit to Alcolea, the westernmost access point to the Alpujarra Almeriense.

Towards the Benínar reservoir lies Berja, formed from three Muslim estates or alquerias. After the 1804 earthquake, the town was rebuilt and acquired its current appearance. Its historic buildings and the colonnaded market square were also built at this time. Other notable monuments include the town hall, the neoclassical Church of the Annunciation, the Casa del Molino del Perillo, the Zapata-Pimentel family estate, and the Enciso Tower.
The water culture is deeply rooted in this town, as evidenced by its springs and the Arab baths of Benej. Dalias also boasts such historical remains, as the Celín settlement is home to one of the most interesting complexes from the Islamic period, consisting of the Aljízar baths and the adjacent tower of the same name, dating from the Nasrid period.
Located in the Sierra de Gádor, this last town on the route offers an interesting and complete range of active tourism options, where lovers of mountaineering, paragliding, and hiking will find some pleasant surprises.