Moclín

The Granada locality of Moclín is situated on the eastern edge of the region of Loja and just 33 kilometres from Granada. It is a picturesque village that combines the beauty of its historical legacy with that of its natural surroundings, dominated by the shape of its Arab castle, declared a National Monument.
 

Its municipal district borders Colomera, Montillana, Pinos Puente, Atarfe and Íllora, in addition to Alcalá la Real (Jaén). Its orography is determined by being located on a hill of the Sierra de Moclín in the Subbética Mountain Range. Specifically, it is situated in a valley alongside the cut of the Velillos River between this mountain range and that of the Marqués, beneath two mountains: Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (1117 m, where the castle and sanctuary are located) and the Morrón del Hacho (1255 m).

The view that Moclín offers is one of being structured around its charming castle. In fact, Moclín comes from the Hispano-Arabic word Hisn Iqlim, which means “district castle”. According to other sources, its name would derive from the Arabic denomination Hisn al-Muklin or “fortress of the pupils”. The Nazaris called Moclín the “shield of Granada” for its defensive character provided by its location. It was a frontier territory between the lands dominated by Christian power in Jaén and the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Thus, the construction here of an imposing fortress was key to the frontier defence.

After the fall of Loja in 1486 to the Catholic Monarchs, Moclín was also taken and converted to Christianity. It belonged to one of the Seven Villas, together with Montefrío, Íllora, Colomera, Iznallor, Montejícar and Guadahortuna (now localities of the Montes and Loja regions). These villas were mostly Christian and were those that supplied grain to Granada, their main economy being the cultivation of cereals and wheat. From this uniqueness in these towns, a new type of single-nave church emerged, designed by the Burgos master who designed the Cathedral of Granada, Diego de Siloé. One of these temples can be seen here in Moclín, the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (16th century).

Another monument of interest is found in the first wall of the castle, the Church of Santo Cristo del Paño (1501-1505).

The landscape beauty offered by the surroundings of Moclín is a real draw for active tourism and nature tourism. On its rock is found the “Pueblos de Moclín” via ferrata, perfect for beginners or those with a K2 climbing level. For those wishing to go hiking, the Gollizno Route is spectacular, on which they can encounter even suspension bridges.