Cave House Country - exploring the Altiplano de Granada

Huéscar
Granada, Andalucía, Spain

The picturesque town of Huéscar (see Map), dominated by the magnificent church of Santa María la Mayor, is located in the north-east of the Altiplano de Granada, Andalucía, Spain. It is the principal of the six villages which comprise the Comarca de Huéscar. It is situated in a fertile valley which lies at the foot of the beautiful Sierra de La Sagra.

A wealth of archaeological evidence indicates that the area has been settled since prehistoric times. The present-day name of the town derives from "Osca", which is the name it was known by in Roman times. For many centuries Huéscar, although well populated, was mainly a collection of farms until, in the 13thC, it became an urban centre and a significant frontier town.

View of Huéscar

Casa de los Penalva

As with so many of the other towns and villages in the Altiplano, the domination of Huéscar passed back and forth between Muslims and Christians, until it finally fell under Christian rule in 1488.

Odd as it may sound, this municipality was officially at war with Denmark from 11th November 1809 to 11th November1981, when a peace treaty was finally signed. It is now known as the "Ciudad de la Paz" (City of Peace).

There are many interesting buildings to be seen in the town including the impressive 16thC Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, built in renaissance/gothic style, the 16thC Iglesia de Santiágo, a church built in gothic syle on the remains of an old mosque, and the 16thC Convento de Santo Domingo, currently under restoration, which houses a beautiful Mudejar ceiling. The Gaudí-style Casa de los Penalva is also of architectural interest.

Also worth seeing in the town is the Torre de Homenaje (Tower of Homage) which was built by the Moors. Three clearly inscribed memorial stones, taken from a Roman necropolis, were used in its construction.

There is a beautiful circular drive to be enjoyed starting at the Carretera de Las Santas and skirting the mountain peak of La Sagra.

There are a number of places to stay in the area (hoteles, casas rurales and alojamientos).

Main Square, Huéscar

Iglesia de Santiágo

FIESTAS

17th Jan - San Antón.
Easter Week - Semana Santa.
Pentecost (7 weeks after Easter) - Romería (Pilgrimage) de Las Santas.
15th Aug - Fiestas de Verano (Summer Fiestas).
22nd Oct - Día de Las Santas and Feria (Day of the Saints and Fair).

MARKET

Thursday

Continue your tour of the towns and villages: Orce