About Cáñar

Introduction

The municipality of Cáñar is located in the northwestern part of La Alpujarra Granadina. It limits with the municipalities of Soportújar, Carataunas, Órgiva and Lanjarón. The core of Cáñar is located on the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of 1,029 meters, between the Barranco de las Parrillas and the Barranco de Río Chico de Cáñar. It is a very mountainous area, the highest area of ​​the municipality is located in the Tajo de los Machos, located at 3,086 meters of altitude, and the lowest point, in the Barranco del Cañuelo located at 960 meters of altitude -with a drop of more than 2,000 meters. Due to its privileged location, the town of Cáñar is the “Mirador de Miradores” or “Mirador de Africa”.

History

Detalle de una casa antigua de Cáñar

The origin of the town is likely to be Roman, due to a site of the time in the Roman Hill. Cañar was called in the first moments of Muslim occupation with the name of Gebel “the mountainous”. With the administrative division of La Alpujarra, Cáñar is included within the Taha de Órgiva.

After the conquest of Granada and falling into Christian hands, the population was gradually subjected to pressure that became intolerable.

Then came the insurrection, led by Abén Humeya. The uprising led to a general revolt among the Moriscos of the entire Kingdom of Granada against Felipe II. In the El Fex farmstead, in the Pueblo Alto settlement, Abén Farax, one of Abén Humeya’s lieutenants, was taken prisoner and, in revenge, he totally destroyed the village. The internal discrepancies between the Moriscos – who killed Abén Humeya – allowed Juan de Austria to put an end to the Rebellion soon. After the expulsion of the population, Cáñar was repopulated with Christian settlers from other parts of the kingdom. Felipe II granted Cañar the title of Villa for having imprisoned Abén Farax, assigning him an annual debt of 180 vellones de oro. The Depoblado de Bargas was destroyed by floods in the 19th century.

Gastronomy

Plato típico de Cáñar de Puchero de Hinojos, de color amarillo en un plato hondo de cerámica en tonos azules

Among the exquisite dishes that are cooked in Cañar, we must highlight the stew of sons, which combines very well the Moorish gastronomy with the Castilian that the settlers bring. It is a dish made with beans, meat and pork blood sausage, potatoes and the wild plant that gives the stew its name. Another typical dish is the migas, accompanied with wild plants such as collejas, cejarras, watercress, cruets.

The casseroles that have been eaten in this attractive place since ancient times are exquisite and are related to the animals that have always been hunted in the town, such as rabbits, hares and partridges. Likewise, these game pieces are highlighted with the good vegetables that are raised in the term, such as the fry that is made with peppers, garlic, tomatoes, onions, wings to which the aforementioned meat is added, cod or blood sausage and sausage. White garlic and almond soup, very characteristic of the area. Excellent choto, lamb and beef meats are given in the place of Cañar. As for pastries, the donuts, pestiños and fritters stand out. Another of their desserts is the one they make with chestnuts, with which the chestnut stew is made, excellent on the palate; the fried milk,… We must also highlight the local wines.

Traditions

Vista de una calle de Cáñar donde tiene lugar una procesión cristiana con mucha afluencia de personas

The local heritage is rich and varied in traditions, festivals and popular customs. From July 24 to 26, the festivities are celebrated in honor of its patron saint, Santa Ana. Two traditions continue to endure in the town of Cañar, one is the so-called Music of the Mozuelas, which is celebrated annually between dawn and the day of July 28. December, at least since the last decades of the 19th century, where young single women are flattered with beautiful songs accompanied by instruments, in two rounds, one at night and one during the day, through all the neighborhoods of the town.

Another tradition, in this sporting case, that is maintained in Cañar is La Pelota, which is played by hand against the eastern wall that forms the nave of the church, its practice already known at the end of the 19th century, winter being the season in that he enjoyed the most. During Holy Week there are two processions on the night of Good Thursday and Good Friday, following the images through the street. Carnival, Cristo de la Salud (September 14) and Santa Lucía (December 13) are also celebrated.

Do not leave a corner without visiting

Use our interactive map to locate all the points of tourist interest that we have prepared for you.