Alpujarras

The Alpujarra is a natural and historical region in Andalusia, Spain, on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the adjacent valley. The average elevation is 1,200 metres (4,000 ft) above sea level. It extends over two provinces, Granada and Almería; it is sometimes referred to in the plural as "Las Alpujarras". There are several interpretations of this Arabic name: the most convincing is that it derives from al-basharāt (البَشَرَات), meaning something like "sierra of pastures". The administrative centre is Órgiva.

The Sierra Nevada runs west-to-east for about 80 km. It includes the two highest mountains in mainland Spain: the Mulhacén at 3479 m. and the Veleta, just a little lower. As the name implies, it is covered with snow in winter. The snow-melt in the spring and summer allows the southern slopes of the Sierra to remain green and fertile throughout the year, despite the heat of the summer sun. Water emerges from innumerable springs; human intervention has channeled it to terraced plots and to the villages.

Olives are grown on the lower slopes, and in the valley below which extends from Órgiva to Cadiar, through which flows the Guadalfeo river, plentiful water, a milder climate and fertile land favour the cultivation of grapes, citrus and other fruit. There is also a developing production of quality wine on the hills between this valley and the sea, and almond trees thrive on its southern slopes. The eastern end of the Alpujarra, towards Ugijar in the province of Almería, is much more arid.

The terracing and the irrigation of the hillsides (the "Alta Alpujarra") was the work of Berbers, who inhabited this area after the Moorish invasion of 711 AD. They also created villages on the hillsides in the style to which they were accustomed in the mountains of North Africa: narrow, winding streets and small flat-roofed houses.

The Catholic "Reconquista" of Spain progressed to the extent that by 1462 only the Emirate of Granada - including the Alpujarra - was left in Moorish hands; and in 1492 the city of Granada fell to the "Catholic Monarchs". Their attempts to force Christianity on the Muslim inhabitants led to successive revolts, the Rebellion of the Alpujarras (1499-1501) and the Rebellion of the Alpujarras (1568-1571). The revolt of 1568 was a fierce struggle with the Spaniards deploying large forces against this rural population and with much cruelty on both sides. The revolt ended with the death of the last Moorish leader in March 1571.

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Wikipedia