Juviles

Written by Marta Palomo Hermoso, Translated by Emma Cattle and Fiona Flores Watson

Situated among chestnut forests, in the highest region of the Alpujarra, Juviles is a small village with links to the past and an air of tranquillity.

The most important archaeological remains here are those of an old castle known as El Fuerte. It is a Mozarabic fortress built at the turn of the eighth century. Inside you can still see some old wells, while outside, you can enjoy panoramic views of nature in its purest state: the Taha de Juviles. (Taha was the Nazari name - the Moorish dynasty which built the Alhambra in Granada - for an administrative district.)

The village centre is typically alpujarreño, with narrow, steep streets, houses with whitewashed walls, and flat, slate roofs.

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Sebastián, from the 16th century, and the remains of five mills located in the Cimbúa ravine are the most important monuments here.

If you're visiting Juviles you can't miss the Pisada del Gigante on the edge of the village. This is a limestone wall which has been turned by nature into a drawing resembling a huge footprint surrounded by aromatic plants.

Visitors can also enjoy the various hiking routes ideal for nature lovers: towards Trévelez, El Prado Alto, El Fuerte and El Barrio Bajo.

Local crafts include ceramics and artistic wooden carvings.

GASTRONOMY

The jamón (ham) industry is very important both economically and gastronomically in Juviles. The star dish here is setas con jamón (mushrooms with ham).

FIESTAS

Visitors will enjoy the fiesta de Moros y Cristianos (Juviles was a key location in the 16th century Guerra de los Moriscos) as well as the Día del Rosario and San Sebastián in January.

DIRECTIONS

Juviles is 96km from Granada city. Take the A-44, changing to the A-346 and finally to the GR-421. 

juviles
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