OHANES
by Saskia Mier
Ohanes was the residence of the Catholic Monarchs when Boabdil (the last King of Granada) was overthrown by the Christians. It has about 580 inhabitants.
HISTORY
The first evidence of human presence in the area dates back to the Neolithic era, in the so-called Culture of the Caves, where the Nieles and Almecena caves particularly stand out. Ceramic and imprint remains from the fifth millennium BC have been discovered. The Argar Culture and the successive Iberian, Phoenician and Carthaginian hordes gave way to Roman domination, opening a crucial historical corridor between Baetica and the Mediterranean. The proximity of the Roman road that linked Gádor, Abla, Fiñana and Guadix significantly influenced the population of the area. More>
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción
The Mudejar style church, with a square tower, was burnt by the Moors in 1574 and rebuilt in 1593 by Jorge de Baeza. It consists of a portico in the Renaissance style and a modern Gothic interior. The dressing room features a beautiful image of the Virgin who curiously lacks some body parts - presumably torn off to place the sacred vestments. Located on Calle Carlos Mendoza.
Casa de la Torre
The eighteenth-century manor house once had a tower, which unfortunately had to be demolished in recent years due to its deterioration. According to legend, it was built by a Viceroy who came from Mexico. Located on Calle Tesoro.
Estatua del Obispo Diego Ventaja
This statue is made of bronze and dedicated to the Bishop Diego Ventaja, son of Ohanes. It was made in the 1950s by the sculptor Juan Cristóbal, who was born in Ohanes. Located in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Estatua de Miguel de Cervantes
This statue is made of plaster on a granite foot, created by a student of Juan Cristóbal on an original motif by the Ohanense sculptor. Located in the Plaza de Juan Cristóbal.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Santuario de Tices
The sanctuary was built on the site of a hermitage, dedicated to San Marcos. Its construction took place between 1800 and 1803. It is currently deteriorated and a fundraising project is underway for its restoration. Located 5km from Ohanes, on the provincial road that connects the municipality with Abla, through the port of Santillana.
COUNRTYSIDE WALKS
Sendero PR-A 248
This circular route runs approximately 26km. It takes about nine hours to complete and is classified as difficult.
Sendero PR-A 249
This route runs approximately 9.5km, with a duration of two and a half hours.
GASTRONOMY
Ohanes has a variety of typical dishes representative of its traditional cuisine such as arrocillo (broad bean and fennel stew), correas (meat stew), pimentón (potato stew), ajo blanco (almond and garlic soup), gazpacho and buñuelos de patatas (potato dumplings). Sweet treats include yemas (egg and almond tarts) and tortas de Alfajor (sweet honey pastries).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Ohanes are San Antón, San Marcos, Romería de Tices and Fiestas de la Virgen. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Ohanes is located in the town hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Ohanes are Canjáyar, Padules and Beires.
