Alfacar

Alfacar is an historic town situated approximately 8 kilometres from the city of Granada, in the autonomous Spanish region of Andalucia. The town is situated on the edge of the Sierra de Huétor Natural Park and is located in a region of intensive olive production. Although the municipality stands at 920 metres above sea level, the local fossil record contains various marine molluscs that demonstrate the profound geological forces that have shaped the region.

The area has been occupied by humans since prehistory. A very important neolithic site - la Barranca de Las Majolicas - is located within the town, and human remains, decorated ceramics, and bone tools and ornaments have been found there. Between 711 and 1492AD, most of Spain was governed by a series of Moslem dynasties and monarchs. Although we do not fully understand the origins of the name Alfacar, it is in this era that the Arabic name "al-Fajjar" (´the house of the potter´) was first applied to the settlement. The town was a summer retreat for the Moslem Zirite Kings (1010-1090AD), and although there are few visible architectural relics from this time, the arabs adapted the Fuente Grande to channel its waters to Granada, and the old heart of the town retains the structure of an arab settlement.

The Christian Reconquest of Spain culminated on 2 January 1492 when Boabdil, the last Moslem king of Granada, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel. Thirteen days previously, the Moslem population of Alfacar had capitulated to the advancing forces. History indicates that the arab inhabitants of Alfacar continued living in relative peace under the new regime and did not participate in the subsequent unsuccessful uprising of the "Moriscos". However, this did not prevent their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsular in 1579 during the reign of Philip II, after which Alfacar was repopulated by Castillian Spanish families. An importante building that dates from this period is the Church of the Ascunsion of Our Lady (La Iglesia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora), constructed on the site of a former church that was destroyed in 1557 and in turn was situated over the foundations of a former mosque.

The famous poet and dramatist, Federico Garcia Lorca, was born in Fuente Vaqueros near Granada in 1898. On 19 August 1936, at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, Lorca was detained by Nationalist forces and during the early morning was shot at a location between Alfacar and the neighbouring village of Viznar. The controversy over the circumstances of his assassination and the location of his grave continue today.

The town of Alfacar has grown considerably from its ancient centre. It has recently suffered from the economic crisis and many construction projects remain unfinished, while various businesses have been forced to close. There is evidence of regeneration with new shops and restaurants opening, and Alfacar is renowned throughout the regoin for its famous bakeries which probably date back to Arab times and provide many shops in Granada with fresh daily bread. Alfacar is well provided with shops, a medical centre, theatre, sports centre and many other facilities. However, what remains of the historic centre of the town is under serious threat from neglect and reevelopment. an example is the 15-16th century Arco de Somera, an ancient store room situated above an arched alleyway, which is urgently in need of stabilization.

The countryside around Alfacar abounds with wildlife including Iberian Ibex, Wild Cat and Wild Boar, and in spring one can find many species of orchids, bulbs and other wild flowers. The adjacent protected regoin of Sierra de Huétor has an excellent visitors centre and is a popular destination for walkers. There are extensive regenerated pine forests, large areas of native evergreen oaks and the rare Spanish conifer, Abies pinsapo, has been reintroduced here. Alfacar is also famous for the blue butterfly Lysandra bellargus ssp. alfacariensis, that was first identified in the area.

Alfacar is a city located in the province of Granada, Spain. According to the 2005 census (INE), the city has a population of 5107 inhabitants.

It is most famous as the place where Spanish poet, Federico García Lorca, was shot and buried during the Spanish Civil War.[1]