Poqueira facts for kids
The Poqueira is a river in the Alpujarra region of Granada, Spain. It starts high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Small streams near the top of Mulhacén, Spain's highest peak, join together to form the Poqueira. The river then flows through a deep, dramatic gorge. It eventually joins the Río Trevélez and then flows into the Río Guadalfeo.
Contents
Power from the River
The Poqueira River helps create electricity. There are several hydro-electric power stations along its path. These stations use the force of the flowing water to make power. One station is near where the river joins other streams. There's also an old, empty village called La Cebadilla nearby. It was built for the workers who operated the power station. Another power station is located near Pampaneira, where a main road crosses the river. A third station is hidden deep in the gorge, hard to see from above.
Charming Villages
High up on the eastern side of the valley are three famous villages: Capileira, Bubión, and Pampaneira. These villages are very popular with tourists. They have a special history, dating back to the time of the Moors in Spain. You'll find narrow, winding streets and houses with flat roofs and unique chimneys.
The Moors also built terraces on the hillsides. These were like steps on the mountainside, used for farming. You can still see them today, even if they aren't farmed anymore. They also built channels to bring water from the river to the villages and terraces.
Protected Nature and History
The Poqueira valley is a very special place. The higher parts of the valley are inside the Sierra Nevada National Park. This means the area's nature and wildlife are protected. The lower parts are part of a Natural Park. The entire valley, including its villages, has been declared a "Conjunto Histórico." This means it's a historical site that is protected because of its important past and unique architecture.
A Look at History
The Poqueira valley has seen important historical events. In January 1569, it was the site of a big battle during the second "Morisco" rebellion. This was a conflict involving the Moriscos, who were Muslims forced to convert to Christianity. Later, during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the villages in the valley stayed under Nationalist control. However, Republican guerrilla fighters controlled the higher parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The border between the two sides was just above the villages for most of the war.
See also
- List of rivers of Spain
- In Spanish: Río Poqueira para niños
