PLACES OF INTEREST

The Castril Nature Reserve (Parque Natural de la Sierra de Castril) to the northeast of Granada province, borders on the Nature Reserve of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas. www.juntadeandalucia.es. This is the largest contiguous protected space of nature reserves in Spain.

With panoramic views across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Griffon Vulture, Moufflon, Fallow Deer and Wild Goat inhabit the peaks and ridges. The ravines and chasms are a source of inspiration for the yogi, speleologist and mountaineer.

The groves of evergreen Oaks and Pines keep the mountain green all year. The Lichen covering the rocks and stones bears witness to the purity of the air, perfumed by Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender.

The Castril River bursts forth from the heart of the nature reserve, dominating its surroundings with crystalline waterfalls and streams. The river´s extensive biodiversity is habitat of the Trout, Otter, Dipper and the colourful Kingfisher.

Castril de la Peña (www.castril.es), belongs to the Altiplano of Granada and to the region of Huéscar (www.comarcadehuescar.com), close to the provinces of Jaén, Almeria and Murcia. Castril peacefully lies in a valley of orchards, market gardens, almond and olive groves. Its whitewashed houses spread out down the side of a reddish rock – an eleventh century medieval fortress.

The Cultural Centre of the Nobel prizewinner, novelist Jose Saramago organizes cultural events in Castril, his small adopted village. These culminate in the prestigious International Festival of Sete Sóis and Sete Luas (www.7sois7luas.com), twice winner of the European Commission´s Kaleidoscope Prize. The museum in the Centro de Interpretación exhibits exquisite examples of the former glass craftsmanship. Other pieces from Castril are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Baza is the nearest city (www.altipla.com/baza) and (www.sierradebaza.org).
Galera (www.altipla.com/galera), Orce (www.altipla.com/orce), Castilléjar (www.altipla.com/castillejar/) and Huéscar (www.aytohuescar.com) are famous for their cave houses.

Galera and Orce are of great archaeological interest due to findings like the ´Man of Orce´, about 1,500,000 years old, (www.hombredeorce.com) or the ancient village of ´Castellón Alto´ and the ´Mummy of Galera´, both from the argaric culture, 3,500 years ago (www.muyinteresante.es). Orce and Huéscar possess a spring water natural swimming pool.