Discover Alquife: Mining History, Landscape and Festivals

Alquife is closely linked to the mining history of the Zenete: the Minas de Alquife are protected as a Cultural Heritage Site of Special Cultural Interest and are classified as a Site of Industrial Interest. Since the Nasrid period, Alquife was the most important iron production centre in the Zenete.

Culture

The mines at Cerro del Castillo, north of Alquife, contain the oldest mining facilities in the region; they date from the 10th or 11th century. There is also a monument to a miner at the entrance to the town.

The area surrounding the protected Minas de Alquife contains industrial facilities, ore-loading installations, an iron bridge, two railway lines and the miners’ settlement of Los Pozos. The preserved fortification includes an approximately pentagonal structure with up to seven towers, as well as remnants of rammed-earth walls on a masonry base. Inside it is a rectangular cistern with an average size of 5.85 × 3.20 metres.

On 3 and 4 December, Alquife celebrates the Fiesta de Santa Bárbara in honour of the patron saint of miners. One of the mining company’s former vehicles is used in the procession. The San Hermenegildo celebrations include a procession through the town and the burning of the traditional Palo Alquifeño. The Palo Alquifeño is a ritual offering that originated from Alquife’s mining history.

Landscape

The open-pit mines of the Minas de Alquife are almost 300 metres deep and are currently partly flooded; they form an artificial lake with water from the aquifer. The area of the Minas de Alquife forms a reddish landscape with hollowed-out depressions alternating with plains.

The Cerro de Juan Canal mountain and the Alto de la Carrasca peak are located around Alquife. The different landscapes and elevations offer several thematic starting points for planning your own day, without this having to result in a fixed programme.

Cuisine

Potaje de hinojos is a traditional dish from Alquife. It is prepared with fresh fennel, pulses and potatoes.

Homemade bread is one of the typical elements of Alquife’s local cuisine and is made by local bakers.

Surroundings

The surroundings of Alquife include the Mirador Las Cuevas viewpoint, the Cueva Museo De Costumbres Populares museum, the Cueva Museo de Alfarería La Alcazaba museum and the Palacio de Peñaflor palace. The Mirador de la Magdalena viewpoint and the Palacio de los Marqueses de Villalegre palace are also nearby.

When comparing holiday apartments in Alquife, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the offer pages. Your personal selection can be based on your preferred focus: mining history, landscapes, viewpoints, museums, festivals or cuisine.

Other Places

Other places at the same higher administrative level are Salar, Polopos, Fuente Vaqueros, Dólar, Alamedilla, La Zubia, Quéntar and El Ventorrillo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Granada.