Nevada

Nevada

Translated by Emma Cattle and Fiona Flores Watson

The area of Nevada is the highest and most eastern-wards in the Alpujarra, and offers amazing natural landscapes. Here, you'll have the opportunity to see wild goats, one of the animals that best represents the alpine alpujarreña fauna.

Four small villages make up the municipality of Nevada. These are Laroles, Mariena, Picena and Júbar. Laroles
Laroles is the capital. It sits in between the rivers Bayárcal and La Ragua and is surrounded by lush chestnut groves. Within its village centre, the two churches are of interest to visitors. La Ermita de San Antón y San Sebastián was constructed in the 18th century and la Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora del Rosario in the mid-16th, however it was later reconstructed in the 19th century.  This church has a brick tower topped by a Byzantine dome. A fountain crowned with the Virgen de la Inmaculada is also worth seeing, and it attracts thousands of people per year. The Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas Puerto de la Ragua is another village attraction.

Mairena
Mairena is the village known as the "balcony to the Alpujarra". This is because from the viewpoint at the chapel, you can get an amazing panoramic view of the Valle de Ugíjar, el Cerrajón de Murtas and the Sierra de Gádor of neighbouring Almería province. The parish church, la Iglesia Parroquial del Crito de la Luz is the most impressive building in the village centre, built in the 17th century and reconstructed in the 18th. In the outskirts of the village, visitors can find the legendary Piedra de los Tiempos, a rock which is said to have beneficial powers over the harvests each year.

Picena
Over the river Laroles is the village of Picena, which is staggered up the mountainside. The Iglesia Parroquial de San Cecilio is the most interesting building from an artistic point of view. It was constructed in the mid 16th century following the canons of the Moorish style, but was revamped and extended in the 18th century. Amongst the abundant vegetation there are the remains of what was, in the medieval period, its castle.

Júbar
Júbar is the smallest village in Nevada. Amongst its traditional buildings, the Iglesia del Cristo de la Columna stands out, one of the oldest churches in the Alpujarra. The weather vane on the small tower has symbols of the three religions that have shaped the area: Judaism, Islam and Christian. Next to the church is a small cemetery.

Cross country Ski resort

Nevada is a popular destination for lovers of snow sports: the Estación Recreativa del Puerto de La Ragua is only 16km away. This is the oft forgotten other Ski resort in Granada, after Sierra Nevada, and visitors can try out cross-country skiing.

GASTRONOMY

The star dish of Nevada is sopa de parva, a soup made with cod, onion, peppers and olive oil.

FIESTAS

In January, Laroles celebrates the Fiestas de San Sebastián y San Antonio Abad. Festivities take place over three days and include street bands, a performance of the Moorish and Christians, concerts and fireworks. In Picena, between the end of January and the start of February, the Fiestas de la Candelaria y San Cecilio take place, also known as Fiestas de Invierno.

DIRECTIONS

Nevada is 110km from Granada city. Take the A-92 and then the exit 312, to join with the A-337 (direction La Calahorra-Puerto de la Ragua-Cherín).  This road will take you directly to Laroles. 

nevada
Hover the cursor over Nevada to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.

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