Alfacar

The town of Alfacar is located in the north-central area of the Vega de Granada, a few kilometres from the capital of Granada. It belongs to the lush Sierra de Huétor Natural Park.

It is composed of two population centres, Alfacar (the main centre) and Fuente Grande. The latter is named after its great spring or Aynadamar canal (11th century), a name given by the Arabs from which the term Fuente de las Lágrimas would derive (Ayn is eye and by extension fountain and damar means tears).
 

Alfacar enjoys worldwide fame thanks to its prestigious bread ovens and its more than fifty bakeries, including production facilities and shops. The bread of Alfacar has the IGP protection seal of the European Union. But this bread industry in Alfacar is not coincidental, but follows a tradition that dates back to the Arab origin of the town. In fact, its name comes from the Andalusian period, alluding to the abundant potteries present at that time. There were also many bread ovens and excellent bakers who were the artisans of this tradition.

During that period, in the 14th century, Ibn al-Khatib (writer, historian, among other intellectual and political facets in Nasrid Granada) described the village in his chronicles as a leisure place for the wealthy classes of Granada, with large houses that housed luxurious rooms.
 

An essential site of Andalusian origin in Alfacar is the Arab Baths (13th - 15th centuries). They were recently discovered, hidden among several current houses in Plaza del Baño, near the Church of the Assumption. Today only the warm and hot rooms remain, with the cold room and dressing room having disappeared. They were supplied by the Aynadamar canal (Fuente Grande).
 

With the arrival of the Catholic Monarchs, Alfacar adapted to Christian culture. Highlighting its historic quarter is the mentioned Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (16th century). It was built with a single nave and bell tower, on a previous church that replaced an old Arab mosque. Its layout is related to the masters in Granada's temples of the time, Diego de Siloé (the architect who designed the Cathedral of Granada) and Ambrosio de Vico.
 

The farmhouse of Alfacar had two walled enclosures. From the citadel enclosure, the picturesque Arco de Somera is preserved. This enclosure at the time included the current street leading into the town, Cárcel and Zancanal streets, Iglesia Square, and the edge of the plateau of this area to the East and South. The other walled area was located in the rest of the historic centre, the current southwestern end to the northeastern side of the Arab bath, through the Church Square.
 

Other outstanding places in Alfacar include the Hermitage of San Sebastián (1899), dedicated to the patron saint of the municipality; the charming fountains scattered throughout its streets, squares, and even in the Sierra de la Alfaguara; the Federico García Lorca Park (1986), in commemoration of the poet, whose murder is believed to have occurred in Alfacar at the start of the Spanish Civil War; the Puente de los Panaderos Park (2015), built in tribute to this trade in the town; and the Monument to the Donor (1996), in recognition of blood donors.

The natural surroundings that surround the town are also highly attractive for active tourism in Alfacar. The Sierra de la Alfaguara is located next to the town, in the heart of the Sierra de Huétor Natural Park and just 20 minutes by car from the capital of Granada. Its landscape overflows with pine forests and boasts a wide network of trails, with routes adapted to all levels and signposted. It is an ideal place to enjoy with family on weekends and for the little ones to discover nature. The starting point for the routes is the Merendero de la Sierra de la Alfaguara. These take you to discover the trenches of the people of Alfacar during the Civil War, caves and many viewpoints with incredible views over Sierra Nevada.
 

Lovers of more challenging active tourism such as sport climbing, will find the Recodo del Dablhan, perfect for beginners in rock climbing in Alfacar