In the middle of summer, many have run out of ideas of where to go on the next excursion through our territory. The great historical wealth of Spain has caused Their towns cannot be more different from each other. Finding points as impressive as Christ the Redeemer, which can be visited in a small Aragonese municipality, or even a town where The water runs through the streets accompanying its inhabitants.
This town is none other than Pampaneiraa municipality located in the western part of the Alpujarra Granadina region, in Andalusia. In addition to its beauty, being known for being one of the most beautiful in the Alpujarrathis town has a peculiarity that has made it one of the most popular: the canals in which water from the Sierra Nevada divides some of its streets.
However, this is not its only point of interest, since its origin dates back to a settlement from the time of the Roman Empire and, later, it was occupied by the Moors, leaving an architecture clearly influenced by the Berbers. For this reason, together with Bubión and Capileira, in the Poqueira ravine, it was declared Asset of Cultural Interest in 1982in the category of Historical-Artistic Ensemble.
The water from Sierra Nevada runs through the streets of Pampaneira
Precisely, thanks to the influence of the Berbers, the town has a running water system in which water from melting snow in Sierra Nevada goes to different points. This water network has pools in which it is stored so that it can be used later for agricultural purposes; both to distribute it and to reach them, there is a extensive network of irrigation ditches.
These artificial canals pass through the towns in the area, in this case Pampaneira, to reach the fields and orchardsleaving images as unique as streets divided by the passage of completely transparent water. One of the most popular and photographed irrigation ditches in the town is located in Veronica Streetwhose water comes from the Fuente del Cerrillo.
Although it is not the only street through which the water of the Sierra Nevada makes its journey, it can also be seen in the Station street. On the other hand, on Partidero Street, you can see a ditch through which water no longer passes, but whose image is still completely unique as it has the presence of the tinaos. These are covers over the streets built with chestnut wood and slate stone.
Berber architecture marks the style of its houses
The purpose of the latter was protect the passage of water and citizens from the most extreme weather conditionsthat is, during winter and summer. Likewise, during the rest of the days, they were used as a clothesline, where clothes or crops could be hung to dry. This architectural solution is typical of the region and can also be found in some towns in Almería.
They have also begun to be used for expand the space of the terracesthat is, the upper floor of the houses in the town. Always respecting the other most characteristic element of the Alpujarra towns and their Berber architecture, their flat roofs with hat chimneysmade with slate slabs. All this, added to its white walls, leaves a snapshot of great historical and aesthetic value.
An ideal destination for hiking lovers
Due to this, Pampaneira, together with its two neighboring towns, Bubion and Capileiraare part of a complex declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1982. However, being located in the heart of the Alpujarra region, it is also a destination ideal for hiking lovers. This place has routes such as Poqueira Villages trailswith which you can visit the three mentioned municipalities on a 9.8 kilometer route.
You can also perform the local watchtower trailthrough which you can see the ruins of old farmhouses and the diverse vegetation that surrounds the aforementioned towns. An 8.2 kilometer route in which to see beautiful views of the region. And for those who are more professional and have better preparation, they will also be able to take a circular route of 300 kilometers around the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park.
Therefore, and being only an hour and a quarter from GranadaPampaneira becomes an ideal tourist destination both for those who are spending their holidays in Andalusia and for those who are in the search for a new town to visit and discover.