Discover Montefrío – Churches, Fortress and Archaeology

Montefrío offers an unusually concentrated insight into architectural and border history: the Iglesia de La Encarnación was built between 1786 and 1802, has a circular floor plan and a 30-metre-high dome inspired by the Pantheon of Agrippa.

Culture

The Fortaleza Árabe was built in the 14th century on the orders of Abu Abdallad Yusuf as part of the Nasrid fortifications on the north-western border of the Nasrid Kingdom. Today, a tower, cisterns and sections of the Islamic wall remain above the modern fortifications.

The Antigua Iglesia de la Villa was built in the 16th century over the remains of the Arab fortress. The Gothic-Renaissance church is one of the churches of the “Siete Villas”, all of which are works by Diego de Siloé. The neoclassical Pósito de Montefrío, built around 1795, was a granary and now houses the town’s cultural centre.

Outside the town walls, the Iglesia de San Antonio, also known as “La Panera”, was built between 1737 and 1763. Its exterior façade consists of limestone blocks; the square tower is divided by cornices into four sections and ends in a pointed roof with glazed tiles.

The Centro de Interpretación de la Última Frontera del Al-Ándalus, also known as El Centinela, is located in the former Iglesia de la Villa. Audiovisual materials and information panels convey Montefrío’s medieval border history, including the last Muslim outpost in Granada and the region’s nearly two-hundred-year conflict. The Colección Museográfica Arqueológica de Montefrío in the former Casa de Oficios provides an overview of the prehistoric, early historic and ancient periods of Granada province as a whole and of the municipality of Montefrío in particular.

History

The private megalithic necropolis of Peña de los Gitanos is accessible as part of guided tours. The Peñón de los Gitanos archaeological site documents settlements from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. The Conjunto Arqueológico Peña de los Gitanos is both a natural and archaeological area and a site of cultural significance, Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), recognised as an archaeological zone since 1996, around five kilometres from Montefrío. The archaeological complex includes the prehistoric settlement of Castillejos; the area is suitable for hiking, cycling and horse riding.

Routes

The municipal route programme lists PR-A 246 “Arroyo de los Molinos” as a 13.63-kilometre hiking route with an estimated duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes. Montefrío is also one of the most important attractions on the Ruta de Washington Irving. A viewpoint outside the town on the road to Tocón offers views of the Iglesia de la Villa, situated on a prominent rocky outcrop above the remains of a fortress, as well as of the Iglesia de la Encarnación.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Montefrío, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions help to assess an offer for the trip. The period, the intended room category and the conditions for a possible change or cancellation are relevant.

Other places: Puebla De Don Fadrique, Moclin, Fuensanta, Cenes De La Vega, Escúzar, Albuñol, Santa Cruz Del Comercio, Albolote

Cuisine and Festivals

Dishes that visitors can try in Montefrío include sesos al mojeteo, remojón de San Marcos, choto con ajos, lomo de orza, as well as omelettes with local herbs and vegetables such as collejas or wild asparagus. The olive oil from Montefrío has its own Denominación de Origen; traditional local cheese is made from goat’s milk or blends of goat’s and cow’s milk.

The Centro de Interpretación Museo del Olivo provides information about olive cultivation in Granada province, as well as about the ethnography and characteristics of this form of agriculture, which is important to Mediterranean culture. During the Noche de las Lumbres, various types of meat and local sausages are sampled in the glow and warmth of the fire.

Montefrío’s Semana Santa includes the “Los Recaícos” procession on Good Friday. During it, the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno whispers a message to Saint John, who passes it on to Our Lady of Sorrows. “Ventolera” is a festival of various wind-music styles held in the second week of July; the performances are accompanied by participatory, educational and gastronomic activities, as well as initiatives promoting cultural and natural heritage. During the Candelaria celebration, people dance around the fire and sing traditional Candelaria songs.

To the main travel overview: Granada.