Iznalloz, Granada

Iznalloz is a small town about 35km north of Granada. The town is the 'capital' of a region known as Los Montes Orientales, which comprises about 17 towns and villages spread over the north of Granada province. Encompassed within this area is a range of mountains called the Sierra Arana (highest peak just over 2000m). Iznalloz itself has amongst its local facilities a health centre, a swimming pool, and several shops, banks and cafes in its busy centre as well as a 16th century church designed by Diego de Siloé and the ruins of an ancient Moorish castle.

[edit] History

There are prehistoric paintings and tools in the caves surrounding the village. The Iberian peoples are thought to have settled here.

The village sits on the banks of the River Cubillas and what was once on an important Roman road to Tarraco (ancient Roman name for Tarragona) traversing via the south eastern coastline of the Iberian peninsula.

The people of Iznalloz attribute their origins to the Romans and call themselves Acatuccitanos, after Acatucci, the Roman name for the village. Roman imperial soldiers built a garrison, on the hill in what is now the old quarter of the village, and constructed a bridge over the river which remains in use. The origin of the modern name, Iznalloz, has its roots in the Arabic Hisn Allauz which means ‘Castle of Almond trees’. Only the ruins of the castle remain, but it formed part of the front line of Muslim defense during the latter days of the reconquista. The village fell into Christian hands in 1486, after which Iznalloz and its neighbouring villages aided in the siege of Granada. As payment for their services the people of Iznalloz were exempt from various taxes.

Following the Catholic reconquest of Granada, Iznalloz became an important centre for commerce and agriculture. Due to the growing population of workers, and their importance to the local economy, the Reyes Catolicos (Catholic Kings) decreed the construction of a hospital to care for the infirm. The building which is now called El Posito became a store for the village harvests.

The construction of the Church, Our Lady of the Remedies (Nuestra señora de los Remedios), began in the middle of the 16th century. The church was constructed in a Renaissance style by Diego de Siloé who is famous for the cathedral in Granada.

[edit] Economics

Agriculture is and has always been Iznalloz's major source of income and the cultivation of Olives is by far the most common agricultural activity in the municipality. Some of the best olive oil in Spain is produced in this region. The local mountain range of Sierra Arana is particularly picturesque and boasts a large number of caves. Of these the deepest is La Cueva del Agua (Cave of water).

Coordinates: 37°22′N, 3°21′W