Illora

Illora stands at the foot of the Sierra de Parapanda, and is one of  a series of villages in western Granada that are forming a ‘tourist trail’ highlighted by the characteristics of the region in which they are to be found.

Take a brief tour of the municipality of Illora and you can admire the attractive villages and hospitable people that comprise it (the Ayumtimiento of Illora covers 5 villages), each with its own merits to belong to the tourist route in which gastronomy and natural beauty would certainly be highlighted, while amongst other reasons to visit would be the rich folklore and many traditional fiestas. These other 5 villages are Alomartes, Tocon, Escoznar, Obeilar and Brácana.

Illora was known as Illurco in ancient times. It was populated by Swabians, Visigoths and, with the Arabs, became a major population centre along the belt of the city of Granada.

The remains of what was a magnificent Moorish castle, which played an important role in the Spanish conquest, are to be found at the top of the gorge that dominates the town. It was one of the most important defenses of Granada, along with the fortresses of Moclín and Alcalá la Real.

Illora was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1483, the young Captain Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba became its first mayor.

Monuments

Castle
Iglesia de la Incarnacion (Church of the Incarnation)
Iglesia de los Dolores (Church of Sorrows)
Alomartes Mill Museum
Casa López Font
Ayuntimiento
Municipal Museum
Torres Atalaya (Towers)
Casas de Íllora  
Miradores (Viewpoints)

Gastronomy

Beans, lentils and kidney beans are grown in the area, although olives are the most important crop. Most of these ingredients are used to make dishes like garlic soup, gazpacho, chickpea stew, migas, casseroles and ratatouille. Wild asparagus is cooked in ‘miguilla’, in an omelette or fried as in collejas and cardos. Typical recipes of the locality include: gachas de mosto, el remojon, beans ‘illoreno’, and las ‘pencas con miguillas’.

Directions

Leaving Granada. Continue along: A-92G. Turn right: N-432 heading to Atarfe - Córdoba. Pass Atarfe and Pinos Puente. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit Continue along: A-336. Pass Zujaira and continue until you reach Íllora.

Distances