Montefrío

Montefrío
—  Municipality  —

Coat of arms
Location of Montefrío
Montefrío
Location in Spain
Coordinates:
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Andalusia
Province Granada
Comarca Los Montes
Judicial district Loja
Government
 • Alcaldesa María Remedios Gámez Muñoz (2007) (PSOE)
Area
 • Total 254 km2 (98.1 sq mi)
Elevation 833 m (2,733 ft)
Population (2008)
 • Total 6,357
 • Density 25/km2 (64.8/sq mi)
Demonym Montefrieña /o
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 18270
Official language(s)
Website Official website

Montefrío is a town and municipality in the Granada province of southern Spain. The ruins of a Moorish castle sits near the highest point. Being built midway between the Sierra de Priego and Sierra Parapanda, and commanding the open valley between these ranges, it became one of the chief frontier fortresses of the Moors in the 15th century.

The climate of Montefrío is a continental Mediterranean type. The economy is typically agrarian, with olives the main crop. The relatively limited industry revolves around agricultural processing such as oil and dairy products. The population is reported as 6,688, with 3,337 men and 3,351 women. Near the town is a vast archaeological site known as Las Peñas de los Gitanos, famous for its prehistoric tombs and remains of Roman and Visgothic settlements.

Montefrío's main road (called 'Calle Enrique Amat') has many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. It leads on to Plaza José Antonio which then leads on to Plaza de España.

Montefrio's primary church is the only round church in the whole of Spain since its recapture from arabaian control.

External links

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.