Málaga. España.

May 17, 2008

JAYENA

“Bathed in the crystalline waters of a pleasant médium-sized river nearby, warm in all seasons, protected by unassailable mountain ranges is the village of Jayena – rich in silo, wine, game, fruit, livestock, 12 leagues from Granada”. This is how H. de Jorquera describes this village of the Poniente Granadino.
We approach this village in the south of Poniente via the Fornes road or via the “Cabra” road (which connects Suspiro del Moro to Almuñecar). It is situated on the topmost part of the river Cacín basin, to the north of Sierra de Almijara. The surrounding land is mountainous and the only nucleus of population is jayena, lying on the banks of river Grande, tributary of river Cacín.

HISTORY

Although originally situated on a hillock, the village has gradually descended. It has grown to the point where it has wxpanded to the plain, so its layout is mixed, this becoming more noticeable in its old part. It had been linked to the marquesses of Campotéjar until Muslim Prince Cidi, who became a Christian under the name of “Pedro de Granada”, obtained it.

NATURAL HERITAGE

The Sierra de Almijara stands out with a series of secondary formations Duch as Cero de las Golondrinas or Cerro del Ángel. It ges its water from Barranco Bacal, located to the west of the village. It is joined in its upper course by the streams of Las Golondrinas and Almijara. Its diverse flora offers the following varieties: pine, evergreen oak, gorse, rosemary, thyme or esparto and the predominan wildlife: deer, wild boar, wid goat or ringdove. Along the bank of its rivers one can find species lide white poplar, black poplar, osier, rush, bramble patch and reed.
The area belonging to the “Resinera”, with a good level of visibility, located to the south of the village, and where it is possible to find pine groves and Mediterranean brushwood in a rough terrain, is worthy of visit. Rural paths around this area are perfect for walking and horse-riding. There are several private hunting grounds nearby.
Campsites: “El Bacal” campsite provides amperes with an ideal setting for taking a break. The sound of flowing water from nearby streams and the beautiful pine trees are a far cry from the noise and pollution of modern life.
There are several walks around the area, which lead through olive and almond groves. The “Tajos de Solana” is a perfect viewpoint from which to see the narrowing of the river Cebollón.

MONUMENTAL HERITAGE

The parish church of the Santísimo can be found in the Plaza de la Constitución. It is a recently built church with a beautiful tower. It was erected upon the ruins of another church destroyed by earthquake in 1884
In the place known as Peña Gorda, there are important remains of one of the many watchtowers that exist in this municipal district, which demonstrates the important communication and vigilance systems of the Muslim rign of Granada in this territory.

GASTRONOMY

Potato stew
“Maimones” soup
Orange salad
Variety of confectionary

FESTIVALS

February: bonfires
19 th March: San José
13 th une: Pilgrimage of San Antonio.
Picnic in the recreational area of El Bacal.
1 st week in August: Culture Week, exhibitions and typical subject matters related to the village.
End of August: Feast of the Patron Saint, Virgen del Rosario.