Soportújar

Soportujar is situated in the central-western part of the ‘Alpujarra Granadina’ (province of Granada ), in southeastern Spain. It borders the municipalities of Pampaneira , Carataunas and Cáñar.

Part of the municipal boundary lies within the Sierra Nevada National Park.

Situated as it is within the Sierra Nevada Natural Park in the heart of the Alpujarras, the origins of this town are as a small settlement dating back to the thirteenth century, when Soportújar was a ‘cortijo’ (farmstead) under the jurisdiction of the Taha Orgiva. As did most of the region, Soportujar played a special role in the revolt of Abén Humeya in the sixteenth century and paid the consequences with the expulsion of the Moorish rebels and the consequent depopulation of the area. Philip II gave the lands to 27 families from other regions and has the area has since retained the typical character of the area and has maintained a very low population in the census.

The urban fabric of the town gives it its name, Soportújar meaning ‘place of arcades,’ ‘referring to the abundance of typical street passageways known locally as tinaos’.

Sights
Parish Church, XVIII century, altarpiece of gilded wood.

Urbanism
An Alpujarra mountain town of steep streets, with covered arcades.

Gastronomy

In Soportújar delicious red apples are grown, also delicious chestnuts, the town also produces a good olive oil. Migas, patatas a lo pobre, a casserole of fennel, la cazuela gitana (gypsy casserole), sausages and hams are worthy of note. Finally, there is a variety of recipes for donuts, a typical sweet of the town.

Directions

Once you get to Granada from any point, take the N 323 road towards Motril and take the detour to Lanjaron. From here you can not get lost: pass Lanjaron, continue until you reach the junction with Órgiva. Leave Órgiva to the right, and take the turning to the left heading to the Alpujarra. Pass the turnoffs for Cañar, Bayacas and Carataunas, the next is to Soportújar, this is where the road ends.

Distances