Albolote
Albolote is a village with Nasrid origins. However, remains of Palaeolithic and Roman settlements have also been discovered here. The Sierra Elvira mountains dominate its rich landscape, offering interesting routes for exploring the village. The village has a population of around 16,000.
History
The town's history is intertwined with the vicissitudes experienced by the Vega de Granada region as a whole. During the Roman era, it formed part of the network of rural estates used for agricultural production in the area, and during the Muslim era it was occupied by a peasant population who cultivated mulberry trees for silk production. More>
Things to see
Iglesia Parroquial San Isidro Labrador
Construction of the church began in 1961, at the same time as the El Chaparral annexe, and was completed in 1964. It is a modern single-nave church with no artistic value whatsoever, featuring a slender tower separated from the church by arcades and stained-glass windows. The main altar is flanked by steps. The table forming it is composed of tiles representing the Vatican, the centre of Christianity. The four altars were built using Sierra Elvira stone and depict San Isidro Labrador. A similar altar was later built with funding from a woman from Barcelona whose daughter lived in Cortijo del Aire, a residential area near Chaparral. The parish hall is used to teach children preparing for their First Communion, as well as for theatre performances and Christmas plays by the school. It is located in Plaza de las Flores Location>
Escultura “Labriego”
This sculpture was unveiled on Día de Andalucía in 2007 as a heartfelt tribute to the first inhabitants of El Chaparral, who forged the history of this small village through great effort and perseverance. Created by the Granada-born sculptor César Molina, it is made of aged iron and depicts a farmer ploughing. The work also features a human figure symbolically composed of farming implements. The names of the first 120 settlers are engraved in marble at the foot of the sculpture, very few of whom are still alive after 50 years. It is located in the Plaza de la Rosa. Location>
Iglesia Parroquial de la Encarnación
This is one of the most outstanding monuments, both visually and artistically. This church belongs to the extensive group of Mudejar architecture in Granada and is one of its most unique works, deserving a prominent place within it. The current church replaced an earlier one, which was built in the early sixteenth century on the site of a demolished mosque. Consequently, it is a late church, constructed at the end of the sixteenth century when the political and economic crisis resulting from the expulsion of the Moriscos had already taken hold. More>
Centro Sociocultural Fernando de los Ríos
The centre, also known as the Casa de Cultura, is a modern building that hosts a variety of cultural activities. It has a playroom and a music school, and hosts painting workshops, exhibitions and dance classes. There is also an amphitheatre where plays are regularly performed. It is located on Calle León Felipe. Location>
Parque Infantil de Tráfico ‘Albolut’
This children’s traffic park was a pioneering educational project in Andalusia. Since the 1980s, it has aimed to educate children aged 4–6 in road safety and traffic rules, both as pedestrians and as passengers. More>
Escultura a Don Francisco Lucilo Carvajal
On 30 January 2010, a sculpture was unveiled in honour of Francisco Lucilo Carvajal, president of the Carvajal Foundation, which is based in Albolote and Puerto Rico. Francisco Lucilo Carvajal is a distinguished figure who has dedicated decades to serving his town through the foundation he established and to which he bequeathed his fortune. The sculpture was created by Granada-based artist Venancio Sánchez. Francisco Carvajal was born in Albolote, but built his business empire in Puerto Rico, founding the international company and joining the 'Manos a la Obra' programme. It is located in the Plaza de España. Location>
Hotels in Albolote
Book Hotels in Albolote
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE TOWN
Torre del Campanario
This is a cylindrical watchtower from the Arab period with a circular floor plan. It is approximately 5 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres high. It is buried in rubble, so excavation of the surrounding area is needed to confirm the diameter, which is only an estimate since only a few pieces of the exterior masonry wall are visible. It is located north of Albolote. Location>
Torreón de Sierra Elvira
These are the remains of an Arab watchtower known as 'El Torreón', which was built during the Nasrid period in the 13th century. It is located northwest of the town. Location>
Natural Areas
Pantano de Cubillas
The Cubillas Reservoir collects water from the Cubillas River, which has its source in the ravines of the Sierra Harana (Sierra de la Jara) and the springs of the Deifontes River. Since 1957, it has also received water from the Colomera River via a pipeline near the Cahíz and Canal farmhouses. Attempts to capture water from the upper Deifontes River to irrigate.
Albolote were first undertaken between 1750 and 1756, although the collection did not extend beyond the Bermejo River. Between 1870 and 1890, farmers complained about the lack of water for irrigating their crops on the fertile plains. The construction of a reservoir was proposed in 1930. Construction work began in 1935 but was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In April 1939, the Official State Gazette (BOE) published the project as a priority, alongside the Albolote Canal. Construction restarted in 1941. The reservoir was inaugurated during General Franco’s visit to Albolote on 2 May 1956. The Albolote Canal was inaugurated in 1953 and the Irrigation Community was established. The reservoir lies within the municipal districts of Albolote and Atarfe.
Countryside Walks
Hikers can enjoy a variety of routes in this natural environment, such as Sierra Elvira I, Sierra Elvira II, Integral de Sierra Elvira and Tajos de Silva, to name a few.
Bus Service
There is a bus service from Albolote to Granada City. More>
Gastronomy
When visiting Albolote, be sure to try some of the local dishes, such as canapé de merluza (a salad of prawns and hake mayonnaise), migas (fried breadcrumbs served with pork), habas con jamón (broad beans and jamón), pollo en salsa (stewed chicken) and olla de San Antón (a chickpea stew). For a sweet treat, sample the torrijas, eggy bread dipped in honey and traditionally eaten at Easter.
Festivals
Popular festivals in Albolote are Cabalgata Reyes Magos, La Candelaria, Carnival, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa, Procesión del Cristo de la Salud, May Crosses, Festividad en honor a San Isidoro Labrador, Summer Fair, Fiestas Populares de la Villa de Alboloteen honor del Cristo de la Salud, Noche de Animas, Halloween and All Saints’ Day. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Albolote. More>
Tourist Office
he tourist office of Albolote is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Albolote are Peligros, Atarfe and Granada City.