Ogíjares: Culture, Music and Trails with Views of the Sierra Nevada

Ogíjares was declared the “Town of Music” on 26 May 2008 because of its long tradition of musical activities.

Culture and History

The Cerro de San Cristóbal is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Archaeological Zone category. The archaeological sequence includes settlement remains from the transition between the Late Neolithic and the Early Copper Age and from the Middle Copper Age, a Bronze Age chamber-tomb necropolis, and a Late Roman–Visigothic necropolis with shaft graves.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, also known as the Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Misericordia, stands on the site of an earlier mosque and was built in two phases: the nave was constructed between 1510 and 1520, and the main chapel and tower between 1551 and 1553. The 16th-century church combines the Mudéjar style with Renaissance elements and is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural).

The Iglesia de Santa Ana is a Mudéjar temple from the first third of the 16th century. Its Mudéjar wooden ceilings span the nave and the main chapel; band ornamentation and mocárabe pendants in the almizate are characteristic features of its design. The church also contains an altarpiece created by Diego de Pesquera between 1600 and 1649.

The Ermita de Ecce Hommo was built in 1780. The Arab origins of the Torreón de Cotilla were established through archaeological remains. The Torreón was a defensive tower on a strategic route to the city of Garnata and has two doors: one in the Mudéjar style and another bearing the cross of the Order of Calatrava.

The Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas was founded on 3 May 1918 by Teresa Jesús Alameda. The building is Neo-Mudéjar and arranged around a medium-sized courtyard. The Museo Etnográfico Molina-Ramos can be visited by prior appointment.

Music and Festivals

The Escuela Municipal de Música y Danza de Ogíjares has more than 700 students per year. The Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Ogíjares was founded in 1994.

On the second weekend of September, Ogíjares holds the Fiestas Populares in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración. The Festival Nacional de Cante Flamenco de Ogíjares is recognised as an event of tourist interest. Ogíjares supports several flamenco competitions for singers and guitarists, including the Concurso de Cante for emerging artists and the Certamen de Guitarra Manuel Cano.

Trails and Green Spaces

The Camino de las Cruces comprises sixteen large stone crosses corresponding to the Stations of the Cross and ending at the Cerro de San Cristóbal. The parks and green spaces of Ogíjares offer walking routes with views of the Vega Granadina and the Sierra Nevada.

A new park in Ogíjares covers more than 22,000 square metres and includes green spaces, an open-air amphitheatre, a cactus garden, leisure areas and panoramic views. The Circuito Pumptrack can be used freely in accordance with its rules of use.

Bus route 174A operates as a circular route between Granada, Ogíjares and La Zubia. Bus route 170A connects Granada, Ogíjares and Lomalinda.

The Iglesia de Santa Ana can be visited on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as part of a free visit. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza is open to the public free of charge on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Torreón de Cotilla can be visited free of charge from Monday to Friday between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Other destinations for regional orientation include Ferreira, Atarfe, Castilléjar, Churriana De La Vega, Hernán-Valle, Melegís, Orgiva and Iznalloz.

The Ruta de la Tapa de Ogíjares is a gastronomic route for which an official route map is provided, showing the participating establishments, locations and route.

For the broader travel overview: Granada.