History - Sorvilán
Sorvilán originally dates to the tenth or eleventh century when it existed as a farmhouse. At this time, the characteristic irrigation system of the region was established with water springs that fill pools from where they are led to the croplands through ditches. Vineyard cultivation was also introduced, although it was intended for the production of table grapes and raisins.
In the fourteenth century, the fortified tower of Melicena was built by the Nasrids on top of the foundations of a pre-existing one. At this same time, the Berbers founded Alfornón to the north of the municipality. The surrender of the Moorish rebels in the Alpujarra on March 8, 1500 led to the creation of the Torvizcón lordship by the Crown. Sorvilán belonged to this lordship until well into the nineteenth century.
In 1571 the repopulation of the area began with 2,423 families from León, Galicia, Asturias and Castilla. Once this repopulation process was completed, the massive clearing of land began along with the progressive disappearance of the holm oak forests in the area. Vineyards were introduced throughout the region, now destined for the production of wines that are exported to Jerez and Malaga.
At the end of the seventeenth century, the town passed through marriage to the Count of Cifuentes, Fernando Silva y Zapata-Portocarrero. Vineyard cultivation extended along the entire southern slope of the Contraviesa, all the way to the sea. The grapes from the upper part, as their ripening was more difficult, were used for the production of brandy (in Alfornón there were five distilleries). Those of the middle slope, which would include the slopes surrounding the centre of Sorvilán, were used for the production of wine and later exported to Jerez. Those in the lower part, which would correspond to the area of Melicena, El Saltadero, Los Yesos and the adjacent farmhouses, were used for the production of raisins that were taken in large quantities to Málaga. The cultivation of the mulberry tree also had its importance: its leaves were transported to the silk factories of the Alpujarra Alta, especially Ugíjar.
As the nineteenth century progressed, the population of the municipality was reduced by half when Polopos was emancipated along with its future annexes: Portuguillos, Haza del Trigo, La Mamola, Torre de Cautor and some other farmhouses. The area remained stable both economically and socially until the end of the century when the arrival of phylloxera put an end to vine cultivation. The inhabitants of the area became owners of some lands that until this moment had belonged to the manor. With the arrival of the twentieth century, the progressive economic decline of the area began despite the rebirth of vineyard cultivation and the massive introduction of almond trees.
For further information about Sorvilán visit our page here.