Chauchina
Chauchina takes its name from the Latin word 'sanciuos', meaning 'willow', due to the abundance of willow trees in the area. Many relics, including coins, metal objects and pottery, dating back to the Neolithic era have been discovered here. The town has a population of around 4,500.
HISTORY
The earliest remains found date back to the Middle Neolithic period. They were discovered at the Las Catorce Fanegas site, which is associated with the Cave Culture. Noteworthy finds include a globular-bellied vessel and a fragment of a grey limestone bracelet. This site's potential suggests historical continuity of settlement within the Chauchina area. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Nuestro Señor de la Humildad
The church was in ruins by the end of the eighteenth century. According to Pascual Madoz, construction of the new church was halted due to the Peninsular War after the foundations had been laid to a height of one vara (approximately 0.84 metres), at the initiative of Godoy. The current church dates from 1982. It has a rectangular floor plan with three naves, which are separated by pilasters that support semicircular arches. The bell tower, which is attached to the apse, is all that remains of the old church. It is located on Calle Equip Social.
Ermita de la Virgen del Espino
The Virgin has been venerated by the residents of Chauchina and the surrounding towns since the early twentieth century. The Madres Clarisas Capuchinas safeguard her image in this chapel, which bears her name. This modest temple was built on the site where, according to local tradition, the Virgin appeared to a local woman in 1906. The first chapel was inaugurated in 1918. It is located in Plaza de la Constitución.
La Peana
The pedestal is part of a Doric column from the El Turro quarry in Cacín. It was originally intended for the central courtyard of the Palace of Charles V, but broke during transport to Granada and is now located next to the parish church. It is located on Calle Torre.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Torre de Romilla
Also known as the Tower of Rome, it is located approximately 500 metres from the left bank of the Genil River and around 20 metres from the road leading from Romilla towards the river. It is a solid rammed-earth structure with a rectangular plan and truncated pyramidal shape. The tower has four floors, with the entrance to the first floor located approximately 2 metres above the current ground level. The lower floor, which was used as a cistern, is partially buried in the ground and was covered with a brick barrel vault, which is now almost completely destroyed. Above the upper vault would have been a terrace surrounded by a crenellated parapet, but no remains of this are left. Despite being located in the middle of a cultivated field, the tower is preserved in fairly good condition. It is located north-west of the town.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Walks include Ruta de la Vega a la Torre de Roma and Ruta de las Fortalezas.
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Chauchina to Granada City. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Chauchina, try local dishes such as ancas de rana (frog’s legs) and calamares de tierra (onion chopped into small slices and fried as if they were calamari).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Chauchina are Fiestas Populares de Chauchina, Fiestas Populares de Romilla, Fiestas Populares de Romilla La Nueva, Festividad de la Virgen del Rosario and San Marcos.
WEATHER FOARECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Chauchina. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Chauchina is located in the Town Hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Chauchina are Santa Fé and Cijuela.