|
|
LA TAHA
DE PITRES
|
IN THE CENTRE OF THE ALPUJARRA |
|
MOUNTAINS AND SKY IN THE PALM OF YOUR
HAND |
| In
the very heart of the High Alpujarra, that is between the Trévelez and Poqueira
rivers, you can find “La Taha”, a group of seven small villages, Capilerilla,
Pitres, Mecina, Mecinilla, Fondales, Ferreirola y Atalbéitar, whose origins
go back to the Roman times. You can still find today archaeological remains
that show the importance of these villages during the Arab occupation. This diverse region is a ideal place for people searching for peace and quite and to get away from that rowdy, boisterous mass tourism market. La Taha of Pitres offers the visitor the silence and calmness of its serene hills, already discovered by artists, musicians and writers both of Spanish and other nationalities. |
|
PITRES. Capital and centre of this group of villages. The main square, surrounded by many different neighbourhoods was the Arms Square during the rebellion of the Moors in the 16th century. A church now stands upon the foundations of an old Arab mosque, highlighted by a silhouette of a high, slender tower, awarding Pitres a very personal touch. Alongside the village flows the Bermejo river with tiny splashing waterfalls, old mills and natural ferruginous springs. |
|
CAPILERILLA. This is the highest nucleus of the municipality. From its privileged position (1,400 metres), it offers excellent views over all of La Taha, where you can contemplate the remains of the oldest temple in region, the stones of which were used to make the corn threshing area. |
|
MECINILLA. A village very close to Mecina, however with an independent character. It appeared in the modern age as a group of 15 or 20 houses, some of which were the beautiful residences of the more well off families. |
|
ATALBEITAR. Atalbeitar or “Place of the veterinary” in Arabic. Historically a dependent of Ferreirola and together formed one municipality. Situated below the Mozarabic centre of the Mosque of Busquistar, Atalbeitar remains today one of those places that has best kept the type of construction typical of the Alpujarra. |
|
|
FONDALES. This village lies most at the “hondo”, bottom (hence its name). Its architecture has barely changed, making it one of the most authentic villages. It has a magnificent medieval bridge over the river Trévelez. The path which crosses it is the official ancient route to Orgiva and gives access to two enormous “aljibes”, old Moorish water reservoirs. |
|
|
FERREIROLA. The diminutive of Ferreira, its name means “Little iron mine”. Nearly hidden between ravines and gullies, only the church tower makes a tell tale appearance. The natural springs, Fuente Paula, Aguagria or Gaseosa are of exceptional quality, the latter is unique in the Alpujarra, containing iron and natural carbonated gas. This village also retains its old fashions from a bygone era e.g. old "tinaos", community washing areas. |
|
|
MECINA. Main centre of the old “Mecina-Fondales”, it is the second largest village of La Taha. The general urban layout is perfectly adapted to the terrain. The church and cloisters are worth visiting along with the natural ferruginous springs. |
|
|
