Cúllar Vega

Cullar Vega lies at the heart of the Vega of Granada, an ample area lined with green tints of the fringes of poplars and well manicured gardens, at the heart of the area is the river Genil which flows peacefully to the west, the region benefitting both from its location in these fertile lands and the proximity, only 9 kilometres, to the city of Alhambra.

Cúllar Vega is one of the 32 towns that make up the metropolitan area of the province of Granada . It borders the municipalities of Las Gabias, Vegas del Genil and Churriana de la Vega and is within the judicial district of Santa Fe. To the east northeast, the waters of the river Dílar, which rises in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, divides the jurisdictions of Churriana and Cúllar Vega. The river Dilar flows into the River Genil within the municipality of Purchil, the Genil supplies water to the canal "Dorabulcilo" now called "Arabuleira", which crosses the river Dílar underground.

The name of the town is derived from the Arabic ‘Qulla’ which in turn seems to come from the Latin "collum" or high ground, suggesting that Cullen began its existence as a Roman settlement.

During the time of the Nazari kingdom the population was engaged in irrigated agriculture, that Muslims improved the irrigation system dramatically.

After the conquest by the Catholic Kings, the Muslims remained in the town without experiencing major changes until the time of Philip II, who, after the Moorish revolt and their subsequent defeat, expelled the Moors from Cúllar.

In 1571 the region was repopulated and a few years later a survey was carried out, which laid out the demarcation of the town and area of Cúllar, this remains largely unchanged today. In the eighteenth century, the farmlands of Cullen were structured in three main groups: irrigated, rain fed and vineyards. In the nineteenth century, the confiscation of church property also had a serious affect on the population.

In this century, the life of local people remains virtually unchanged. There are a few anecdotes such as what happened in 1921 with the flood known locally as "La venida de las Andas de Gabia." In 1936, the town supported the Second Republic. During the civil war in Vega Cúllar, there were townsfolk who suffered repression from the Nationalists or their supporters, leading to the death of several of them, this repression also struck victims of other surrounding towns and villages as well as those who were killed in Cullar. The Civil War also killed many on the Nationalist side, some who were soldiers, as well as some who took no part in the war.

Monuments

Iglesia Parroquial de la Asuncion (Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption)
Water tower, XV or XVI century

Gastronomy

Vega Cúllar cuisine boasts many desserts, such as, molasses fried donuts, fritters, milk or wine toast, muffins, milk custard with egg yolks and orange slices with sugar and cinnamon. Also deserving of special mention are dishes like meatballs and "voladillos" of cod, chicken "asaíllo, pumpkin soup and many others.

Other dishes prepared for winter are "Sopa de Maimones" and casserole with croutons, toast and molasses and the"Gachas de Picante." These are complemented by typical local products of the "matanza" (the killing of the pigs) when longanizas and morcilla are produced. And to finish cakes made of flour, water, eggs and yeast.

Directions

Leave Granada. At the roundabout, take exit 4 Continue along: E-902 / A-44 direction: Armilla - Motril. Take the exit towards: Exit 132 - Ronda Sur - Sierra Nevada - Alhambra. Follow directions: Exit 132 - Armilla – P.T.Ciencias de la Salua. Pass by Armilla and Churriana de la Vega. Continue until Cúllar Vega.

Distances