Grieta de Benamejí

Grieta DE BENAMEJÍ - Landslide

The "Crack of Benamejí" had come one of the best known geological phenomena of Andalucia. It was not a single crack but a huge landslip which destroyed a large part of the town. Landslides on the southern slope of Benamejí escarpment had been occurring for several centuries, including a sudden slide recorded in 1739. It was in February 1963 that a particularly large movements occurred, destroying 55 homes and damaging another 50.

This event alerted the community to the serious danger posed by the crack to all the inhabitants living close to the edge. For many years the authorieties were not sure what to do for the best, and of course who would pay for extensive stabilization works as this 1989 documentary explains.

In 1999 the hillside was completely stabilized in a joint project of National, Andalucian and Provincial governments.

The site of the ‘crack' is now a pleasant park and mirador viewpoint located off Calle Paseo Reina Sofia. The earth stabilization works can be clearly seen.