Las Gabias

The municipality of Las Gabias is comprised of Gabia la Grande and Gabia la Chica, situated in the Vega of Granada, enjoying both their location in these fertile lands and the proximity to the city of Alhambra (about 8 kilometres).

Las Gabias municipality borders the municipalities of Vegas del Genil, Cúllar Vega, Churriana de la Vega, Alhendín, La Malahá, Chimeneas and Santa Fe.

The history of Las Gabias goes back thousands of years ago, as is confirmed by the archaeological sites found in the Cuesta de los Chinos, a region between the Vega of Granada and el secano.

In Roman times, the town was moved to an area which became an important Roman settlement, the ruins of an oil press or oil mill and several houses have been uncovered here, but the only thing now remaining visible of this stage is the Baptisterio Romano. Recently other Roman remains have been discovered near to Híjar.

Later came the Muslim occupation, which can be demonstrated in the Torreón, a Moorish fortress high in the centre of town, the eight centuries of Moorish occupation have left such valuable legacies as the current irrigation system with its network of canals. Historically, El Torreon played an important role in the final campaign of Granada in 1490; it was taken by Christians under the command of Gran Capitan, with the capture of 30 prisoners. That same year, King Ferdinand ordered its demolition, although this was never carried out.

The more modern history of Las Gabias began with the Christian reconquest and resettlement by Philip II, mainly using settlers from different parts of the peninsula. Until the nineteenth century it belonged to the Counts of Gabia and in this nineteenth century it was one of the most prosperous and important towns of the province, with the industries of growing flax, hemp and sugar beet booming, together with the cultivation of tobacco in the early twentieth century.

The final formation of the municipality of Las Gabias came about in the year 1973 with the merger of the former municipalities of Gabia Grande and Gabia Chica.

Monuments

Baptisterio Romano
Ermita de Nuestra Senora de las Nieves (convent)
El Torreon
Iglesia Parroquial de la Encarnacion (Parish Church of the Incarnation)

Gastronomy

Many different vegetable recipes can be found here, mashed onions, beans with cod, chickpea casserole and cabbage stews. Partridge and rabbit are the usual meats in more traditional dishes; don’t miss San Antón’s casserole. And for dessert, patisserie in Las Gabias offers visitors’ leche frita’ and many different small cakes.

Directions

Leave Granada. Continue: Carretera de Granada. Pass Armilla . Continue along: A-338 to Gabia Grande.

Distances