Benalúa de las Villas

Benalúa de las Villas is located to the north of Granada, in the road that in direction to the West goes into Jaén towards Alcalá la Real, it also borders with the Western area of Hoya Guadix. This land was inhabited from the Prehistoric age and we can find in the hill of Cántaro some remains of an Iberian village.

Although its name comes from Arab origin, in the area there were found remains of an Iberian village, as we have mentioned before, specifically in the hill of Cántaro, it is natural to think that in that time it was inhabited.

The same happens with the Roman Empire, where there were found some coins and a bust of the emperor. Moslem period played an important historic role because Benalúa de las Villas was a strategic place between the kingdoms of Granada and Jaén, taking place in its vicinity many military skirmish when there was higher pressure of the Christian troops and until the definitive conquest previous to the one of Granada. Later, like almost all the province, it passed some years uninhabited and it was occupied by the colonists who came from another regions.

Monuments

Site of the Cerro del Cántaro. 
 
Town Planning 
 
Peculiar urban area.

Gastronomy

Sausages (filling, salami-type sausage, hard pork sausage, blood sausage). Fried breadcrumbs. Oatmeal porridges. Stew of legs.

At Christmas bread rolls of egg are cooked, and the rest of the year, Los Milesios take the bread and the sweets from Campotéjar. We can find tinned cherries, one of the most delicious dishes in this village. You should make a note for this receipt to enjoy for all the year.

Cherries in brandy or syrup: Cherries – Sweet or Dry Brandy – A jar with air-tight seal Fort he syrup: Sugar - Water

Making: You have to wash the cherries without remove the stalk, and they are put in a jar, filling it with sweet or dry brandy to the liking of the person. The cherries also can be preserved cooking syrup of water and sugar, putt he cherries in the jar, close it and boiled to the bain-Marie.

How to get there

Benalúa de las Villas is located to 41 kilometres from Granada where we can get by the Motorway A-44 towards Armilla, taking the exit 89 towards Benalúa de las Villas. From there, we will follow by the Motorway A-403 until connecting with the GR-NO-7 which it will lead us to Benalúa de las Villas.

Distances

To Granada 41 km 
To Campotéjar 10 km  
To Los Morales 9 km  
To Cauro 8 km  
To Limones 13 km  
To Tózar 16 km  
To Colomera 9,5 km  
To Dehesas Viejas 14 km