Armilla
Located close to Granada City, Armilla played an important role in the numerous battles that took place here during the Christian reconquest of Andalusia. The village was an important route for silk merchants travelling to the coast. It has a population of around 19,700.
History
Although Armilla is known to have existed during the Roman occupation, the first documented sources date back to the Arab period. During the Caliphate of Córdoba, the town was known as Armillat al-Aflum or Armilla del Río. It was during this period that Armilla began to flourish economically. The Arabs perfected the irrigation systems of the plain and built ditches to carry water to the land. Combined with the excellent quality of the soil, this resulted in high-quality produce. More>
Things To See
Ciudad Deportiva
The Granada Provincial Council Sports Complex in Armilla was built in 1978 and is managed by the Granada Provincial Council. It covers an area of more than 18 hectares. Its sports facilities serve as a hub for provincial sports activities and also encompass land within the municipality of Ogíjares. The complex boasts extensive facilities, including sports areas and accommodation. It is located on Avenida Barón Pierre de Coubertin.
Venus de Armilla
The Venus de Armilla is a massive sculpture made of sheet steel depicting a young nude woman standing with her left arm raised and her hair flowing freely. This large sculpture stands at approximately 9 metres tall and weighs around 3,000 kg. It was created by the Granada-born sculptor and goldsmith Miguel Moreno Romera (born 1935) and installed in 2007. It is located in Plaza de la Constitución.
Plaza de la Constitución
This spacious square, located in the city centre, is home to several buildings of great civic importance, such as the town hall and the church of Our Lady of the Rosary, situated next to it. The square was renovated in 2007 and now boasts a modern, functional and inviting appearance.
Plaza de las Tres Cruces
This is a much-loved and well-maintained square where locals place fresh flowers at a small monument consisting of three stone crosses in a row. The two outer crosses are empty and the central cross, which is slightly larger, has an image of a crucified Christ carved into it. The small sculptural group is surrounded by a simple iron fence enclosing a rectangular area at the front of the square. The place is shrouded in legend, as it is said that the Christ figure changed the position of its feet during the Spanish Civil War.
Ayuntamiento
This modern building and the neighbouring Casa de Cultura are situated in the Plaza de la Constitución, which was completely renovated and restored in the early 2000s. New infrastructure was added, including an underground car park. The building has a rectangular floor plan and a three-storey façade characterised by strong horizontal lines. In front lies a spacious urban area containing a large polygonal fountain featuring the Venus de Armilla, a sheet steel sculpture by Moreno Romera. More>
Centro Comercial Nevada
Opened on 22 November 2016, this huge, modern shopping centre has a total commercial area of around 120,000 square metres. With a total built area of around 300,000 square metres, it offers approximately 6,000 free parking spaces. Inside, the centre houses over 180 brands across a total of 240 stores. There is also approximately 3,000 square metres of leisure space for children and eight Kinepolis cinemas. It is located on Calle Darwin. More>
Teatro Municipal
This theatre, which was inaugurated in May 1999, has an extensive programme of cultural events and a capacity of 447 spectators. Its diverse cultural activities make it a key part of the municipality's cultural life. Designed as a multifunctional building, it also has specific facilities for conferences, workshops, business meetings, exhibitions, courses and congresses. It is located on Calle Nardos.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
Built in 1989, the church is a modern building with simple, functional lines. The tower stands out with its square base and straight lines, and an unadorned cross sits atop one of its façades. The complex of complementary facilities has been designed with the current needs of young people in mind and includes an auditorium, an audiovisual room and a small library. It is located in Plaza de la Constitución.
Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel
The church is built in the shape of a Latin cross with a single nave and is situated parallel to the road. A courtyard runs along one side, separating the church from the road. Following flooding that affected both the courtyard and the church, a project was undertaken to raise the entire pavement to the level of the road. The church was probably built on the site of a former mosque. A richly decorated coffered ceiling covers the central nave. The Mudejar-style bell tower is located at the corner of two streets and has a practically square base with three superimposed sections, all finished in brick. Its height was increased by several metres in 1931 to make the sound of the bells more audible. It is located on Calle San Miguel. More>
Museo Etnográfico
The museum is located in the Casa García Viedma, a building dating back to the 18th century. The family’s estate was extensive, comprising several houses, stables, barns and orchards, in which the family’s tenants and their families also lived. The museum occupies the oldest part of the house, including former stables and storage areas for farming equipment, as well as a large room containing six enormous earthenware jars. This area is of particular architectural interest, as the passage of centuries is evident in its walls. The collection includes household items such as a butcher's table, copper cauldrons, a wood-burning stove, a 19th-century radio, and various other personal objects. It is located in Plaza Aurora. More>
Bus Service
There are various bus services from Armilla to Granada City, Churriana de la Vega and Las Gabias. More>
Gastronomy
When visiting Armilla, try local dishes such as olla de San Antón (broad bean stew), habas fritas con jamón (broad beans with jamón), perdices con coles (partridge with cabbage), rabo de toro (oxtail), berenjenas rellenas (stuffed aubergine) and pisto de calabaza (pumpkin stew). For something sweet, try the famous tejeringos (churros).
Festivals
Popular festivals in Armilla are San Antón, Cruces de Mayo, San Isidro and San Miguel. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Armilla. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Armilla is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Armilla are Granada City, Churriana de la Vega and Ogíjares.
