Güéjar Sierra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Güéjar Sierra, Spain
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Location of Güéjar Sierra
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Province | Granada | ||
| Municipality | Güéjar Sierra | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 238.95 km2 (92.26 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 1,000 m (3,000 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 2,849 | ||
| • Density | 11.9230/km2 (30.880/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
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Güéjar Sierra is a charming village and municipality in the province of Granada, Spain. It's nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains, about 1,088 meters (3,570 feet) above sea level. In 2010, about 2,988 people lived here.
This area is known for its stunning natural beauty. Güéjar Sierra shares borders with several other towns. Its boundary with Trevélez and Capileira goes over Mulhacén, which is the highest peak in mainland Spain. This makes these three towns the highest municipalities in peninsular Spain. Two important rivers, the Genil and Maitena, start their journey in Güéjar Sierra.
Contents
Discovering Güéjar Sierra's Past
Güéjar Sierra has a very long and interesting history. You can still see the ruins of an old castle, called El Castillejo, just above the village.
Ancient Origins: Romans and Moors
The Romans first built the castle of El Castillejo. Later, in 711, the Moors arrived and settled the village. They gave it the name Qaryat Walyar. The Moors ruled this area for many centuries.
The Reconquista and Early Rebellions
Güéjar Sierra remained under Moorish control until November 25, 1491. At this time, Christian forces took over the village during the final part of the Reconquista. This was a long period when Christian kingdoms took back control of Spain.
In December 1499, the people of Güéjar joined a rebellion. This uprising happened partly because people were being forced to change their religion. However, the rebellion was defeated in January 1500. As a sad result, 2,500 villagers who had been baptized as Christians were taken to Granada and sold as slaves.
The Morisco Revolt of 1568
Another important event was the Morisco Revolt, which began in 1568. This revolt was led by Aben Humeya. It lasted until 1571 in other areas. However, in Güéjar Sierra, the rebellion was put down earlier, in 1569. These historical events shaped the village's unique heritage.
Tourism and Adventure in Güéjar Sierra
Güéjar Sierra has been a popular place for visitors for a very long time. People have been coming here to enjoy its beauty and fresh mountain air for nearly a century.
Early Tourism and the Grand Hotel
In the early 1920s, a wealthy man named the Duke of San Pedro Galatino had a great idea. He owned a famous hotel in Granada, the Alhambra Palace Hotel. He decided to build a luxurious mountain lodge in the untouched countryside above Güéjar.
This new hotel was very modern for its time. It offered guests comforts like electricity, central heating, and hot water. The hotel officially opened on March 20, 1925.
The Ambitious Tramline Project
The Duke also dreamed of building a tramline. This tramline would connect Granada to an area just above Güéjar. From there, guests could take a short carriage ride to his new hotel. He paid for almost a third of the project himself.
The first part of the tramline was finished in 1925. More sections were added in 1928 and 1944. Building this tramline was an amazing engineering achievement. It included 14 tunnels and 21 bridges! However, the tramline never made much money, and it finally closed down in 1973.
The Hotel's Later Life
The hotel also struggled financially. In 1936, the Duke gave it to the Diocese of Granada. Soon after, the Spanish Civil War began. The front line of the war was very close to the hotel. Because of this, the hotel was used as barracks for soldiers and was badly damaged. In 1950, it was turned into a seminary, a school for training priests.
Modern Day Tourism and Hiking
Today, Güéjar Sierra is still a very important place for tourism. It's a main starting point for exploring the northern sides of famous mountains like Mulhacén, Alcazaba, and Veleta. It's also where the Vereda de la Estrella hike begins. This is one of the most well-known hiking trails in the Sierra Nevada. Because of its beautiful nature and outdoor activities, tourism continues to be a major part of the local economy.
See also
In Spanish: Güéjar Sierra para niños
