Pinos Genil

Pinos Genil can be found in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, 10 km. from Granada and 15 km. from the ski resort of  Pradollano.

Pinos is close to the municipalities of Dudar , Güéjar Sierra , Monachil , Cenes de la Vega and Granada, and is also bordered by the river Genil.

With the advent of Muslims to the Iberian Peninsula (around the year 711), the population of "Pinillos" consisted of Hispanic Mozarabic and Visigoths who were mainly  engaged in agriculture, livestock grazing and in the art of war, most being Christian.

There was a distinct increase in the numbers of Muslims, the Christian populations of "Pinillos" and other areas suffering severely from this. The problem was accentuated for the  "Pinillos" because of the location between Güéjar Sierra (one of the more radical Moorish enclaves) and Granada, leading to the intervention of Don Juan de Austria.

There was a contract, the Reconquista, produced and signed by all parties which lead to a period of relative calm, broken by many uprisings of the Moors, throughout the sixteenth century, a struggle that lasted until the early seventeenth century when the Moors were defeated and expelled.

These uprisings also had a significant effect on the population of "Pinillos", who were known as "New Christians" (converted to Christianity by force or for convenience) and who coexisted peacefully with Christians, but it turned out to be a short-lived coexistence, leading to a process of repopulation by the people of northern Castilla.

The town is divided by a recently constructed bridge, the former having been destroyed in a flood, and sits in a beautiful natural setting with natural springs that which offer both relaxation and leisure. Within the town, the old town area is a protected site within the Sierra Nevada mountain area.

Monuments

Ermita de San Antón (convent)
Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene
Old local train station of the Sierras.

Gastronomy

Pinos Genil's cuisine has rich vegetables grown locally. Traditional dishes of breadcrumbs and rice soup are on offer. Various meats can be found in local recipes, also sausages and cured meats.

Directions

Coming from the A-92, once in Granada, go towards Sierra Nevada by the A-395, and once past the tunnels leading to the ski resort take the turning at Km 7.1 to Genil Pinos.

Distances