Diezma
Comarca de la Hoya de Guadix and Marquesado

Diezma, at 1,233 metres altitude, lies alongside the autovia which links Guadix to Granada, whose important features within the urban area are the Church of Santo Cristo de la Fe, with a neomudéjar tower, and the palatial residence of the Marquis of Diezma (siglo XVIII). Worthy of note, just outside town, is the place called ‘Los Bañuelos,’ a thermal spring which is very popular with locals, and the ‘Cueva del Agua’ (Water Cave), a natural grotto containing stalactites and stalagmites.

There are two versions of the name of this town, one related to property holdings and coming from the Roman era, and one relating to tribute paid to the church (diezmos or tithes) which would likely be from the era of the Visigoths.

In any case, it is evident that during the Roman Empire Diezma began as a kind of inn for travelers making their way along the Via Augusta from Acci to Iliberis and was then known by the name of Diezma. Then, during the Arab domination, Diezma was off the road, which passed through La Peza, and became instead a large farmstead. However, it suffered frequent incursions by ‘los ziries’, (Zirids) firstly in their advance towards Granada, and later, by the Knights of Alfonso VI, before its final conquest by the Catholic Monarchs. Until 1571, however, it was not named as a town, being only a farmstead or small village with barely a dozen houses. Earlier in 1536, it was purchased from the Crown of Castile by Luis Guiral who acquired the title of Mayorazgo of Diezma.

Monuments

Iglesia Parroquial del Santo Cristo de la Fe (Parish Church of Santo Cristo de la Fe, with a neomudéjar tower).

Casa-Palacio del Marques de Diezma (siglo XVIII).

Gastronomy

 Partridge casserole. Game dishes. Roast lamb.

Directions

Leave Granada. Continue along: A-4002. Turn right: A-92 heading to Guadix-Almeria-Murcia. Take the exit towards: Exit 276-Diezma

Distances