Loja: Culture, Nature and Holiday Apartments in Andalusia
The Alcazaba of Loja is now home to the Museo Histórico Municipal de la Alcazaba de Loja, which brings together the most significant part of the city’s archaeological collection. The city’s cultural history also includes Loja’s Semana Santa: in 2003, it was recognised as a festival of national tourist interest and is considered the oldest of its kind in the Province of Granada.
Culture and History
The Antigua Casa de Cabildos is a Renaissance building from the 16th century that has preserved its original architecture. For 437 years, until 1927, it was the seat of the municipal council; today, it houses Loja’s History Interpretation Centre.
The former Medina Lawsa was divided into the three districts of Alcazaba, Arrabal and Jaufín. Walls separated the areas from one another and controlled access between them. The Claustro del Antiguo Convento de San Francisco was built at the end of the 16th century by royal order. Today, it is the courtyard of the Hospital Civil de San Francisco; its 17th-century tower is particularly noteworthy.
The Iglesia de Santa Catalina was built in the 16th century in a new district outside the city walls. It is designed in the Gothic-Mudejar style; the Catholic Monarchs ordered its construction as a temple for the Apostle James.
The Fuente de los 25 Caños originated during Loja’s Muslim period, acquired its complete form with all its outlets in the 16th century and was restored in the 20th century. The Fuente Santa is a Mannerist fountain from the 16th century; its water was among the first in Spain to be bottled.
The Mirador Arqueológico de La Alcazaba is located in a defensive tower of the city walls. From there, the view extends across the northern part of Loja, including the Barrio de San Francisco on Monte Hacho, the Ermita del Calvario, the Palacio de Aliatar, the Iglesia de San Gabriel and the two bridges. In good visibility, the Cola del Caballo waterfall in Los Infiernos de Loja and the Sierra Nevada can also be seen.
The Centro de Interpretación del Agua de Loja explains the importance of water to Loja and the city’s relationship with the civilisations that have inhabited it. A historical exhibition area is designed as a glass labyrinth. The area’s older history also includes the Late Neolithic necropolis, with up to three different types of burial: vertically excavated burial chambers, classical artificial caves and mixed cave-and-megalithic graves.
Loja’s original arched bridge is depicted on the city’s coat of arms. After partially collapsing, it was restored in the 19th century and acquired its present form.
Nature and Springs
The Infiernos de Loja Natural Monument is a 2.57-hectare geological natural monument in the municipality of Loja in Granada. It includes a section of the Genil River with species-rich riverside flora and fauna, as well as significant geological features.
The Nacimiento de Riofrío Natural Monument is a mixed natural monument in the municipality of Loja in Granada and covers 1.89 hectares. The spring forms a lush riparian forest containing an abandoned industrial complex with water mills and copper works. The complex is considered an example of 18th-century industrial archaeology and was used until the 20th century.
The elevated Mirador de Los Infiernos viewpoint offers views of the Cola del Caballo waterfall, where the stream plunges over a drop of more than eight metres.
Trails and Activities
The free-flight station in Loja has five launch sites oriented west, southwest, east, north and south. Since 2002, an annual free-flight gathering has been organised in the second week of September.
The Via Ferrata near Cueva Horá consists of four sections ranging from low to high difficulty. Zip lines, Tibetan bridges and escape rappelling sections connect the individual sections. Loja’s adventure park also offers zip lines and suspension bridges, as well as courses among the trees with more than 40 challenges at heights of up to 10 metres.
The Sendero Barranco del Cañalizo begins at the Manantial de Las Pasaderas spring, the source of the Manzanil River, passes through the Barranco del Cañalizo and connects to the Sierra de las Cabras hiking trail. The route from Las Pasaderas to Los Pinos starts at the Las Pasaderas spring and runs at the foot of Cerro de las Monjas to the Sendero Circular de los Pinos. From there, it is possible to climb to La Cruz, descend to the town centre or return to Las Pasaderas; along the way, there are panoramic views across the Vega.
The Sendero del Monte Hacho begins on the road to Zagra and leads via the former Ermita del Calvario to a hilltop. From there, it provides access to various paths through Monte Hacho and to its sights. South of the city lies the Ermita de San Roque in the Sierra de Loja; it offers views across the Loja valley.
Loja has a tourist and natural-history walking route to significant springs inside and outside the town centre, including the Fuente de la Mora, also known as the Fuente de los 25 Caños. The Sendero Circular Urbano de Loja leads to the Los Infiernos de Loja natural area, where the Cola del Caballo waterfall can be seen. This makes it possible to experience different routes, landscapes and forms of activity side by side.
Sightseeing and Food
Loja’s tourist office offers guided tours for groups, which can include the historic centre, characteristic natural areas and tastings of local products. The freshly baked Rosco de Loja is highlighted as a well-known local pastry. The gastronomic offerings of Riofrío include trout, sturgeon and caviar.
More local pages: Fuente Camacho, Cuesta De La Palma
To the higher-level travel overview: Granada.
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