La Taha
La Taha is a 1975 newly formed municipality in the Spanish province of Granada in southern Andalusia. The seven villages of the large village located approximately 950-1400 m altitude in the Alpujarras, one of the Sierra Nevada in the south upstream mountainous region. La Taha had on 1 January 2013 a total of 719 residents who live on an area of 25.59 km ².
La Taha consists of the merger of the previously independent municipalities Capilerilla, Pitres, Medicina, Mecinilla, Fondales, Ferreirola and Atalbeitar. These seven villages were part of the former Taha de Ferreira dating from Moorish times, this also came the now independent municipalities Pórtugos and Busquístar and the non -existent place Aylacar.
History
From archaeological finds, it is known that the Alpujarras were already inhabited in the Neolithic period. After the Romans, the Visigoths, but the sites are developed only among the Arabs from 771 through the terracing of the mountainsides and the development of a sophisticated irrigation system to greater importance. In the 13th century, the now ruling from Granada Nazari shared a their territory in Taha's called larger municipal districts. Due to the remote location of the Alpujarras to 1492 many Muslims moved to the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs back here, but already in 1500 there were uprisings against the Spanish oppressors. After the suppression of the Moriskenaufstands the surviving Muslims were identified and the depopulated villages with Christian farmers from northern provinces repopulated, while others fell. Among the new residents of the Arab irrigation system was discontinued, the region lost rapidly increasing in importance and sank into oblivion. In recent years, the Alpujarras and thus La Taha are increasingly being discovered by tourists. From here, there are many opportunities for hiking, mountaineering and mountain biking, as well as the starting point for tours to the neighboring national park of the Sierra Nevada.
Seven villages
Capilerilla is with about 30 residents of the smallest and 1,380 meters the highest place. The village is located about 1 km north of Pitres, but has no shops. Some years ago the remains of a Visigoth temple were discovered from the 7th century. On the first weekend in April is celebrated the Fiesta de San Francisco.
Pitres is the largest of seven villages with around 400 inhabitants and lies at 1,260 m altitude. Here there is the town hall, a supermarket, a bakery, a weekly market on Fridays, several restaurants and bars and a bank with ATM. Center is a great place with the church in Mudejar style. It was built on the foundations of a mosque and has a distinctive tower. On the second weekend of August takes place the summer festival Fiesta de San Roque here.
Medicina is located about 1.5 km south of Pitres at 1,030 meters above sea level, formed by the incorporation in La Taha a political unit with Mecinilla and Fondales and is a total of 176 inhabitants, is the second largest village. Here was the former public wash houses, whose outlines can still be seen today. The nearby Rio Bermejo are the remains of an ancient Arab mill, which is considered the testimony of the medieval Arab Baukaunst in this area.
Mecinilla immediately follows Medicina in a southerly direction and is located at about 1,000 m altitude. The village was formed to incorporation to La Taha with Medicina and Fondales a political unit. On the first weekend in August the Fiesta de San Cayetano takes place here.
Fondales lies some 100 m southeast of Mecinilla. With some 950 meters above sea level it is the lowest place of the community right on the Rio Trévelez. The village was formed to incorporation to La Taha in 1975 a political unit with Medicina and Mecinilla. Worth seeing are the medieval Roman bridge over the Rio Trévelez and the two cisterns of Campuzano and Aljibillo from the 12th to the 14th century. Near the river are numerous former oil and grain mills to find names such as Molino del Sol ( Sun Mill), Molino de los Berros ( watercress ), Molino del Puente (bridge), Molino de Camino de Pórtugos ( road to Pórtugos ) or Molino del Rio (river). On the first weekend in October is in Fondales the Fiesta de la Virgen de Rosario instead.
Ferreirola lies about 1.5 km north-east of Fondales to about 1,000 meters and was built up on the church tower hiding between rocks. The place is the crossroads of several hiking trails through the Alpujarras, including the Rota Medieval ( Middle Ages - route). Of importance, the mineral water source ( Fuente Gaseosa ) at the place where the water due to the high iron content has a slightly bitter taste. There was also formerly a public washing place and a bathhouse. The village (Eng. iron site ) got its name from the rich iron ore deposits under the village and its surroundings. In May, the Fiesta la Santa Cruz is taking place here.
Atalbeitar is about 1 km northeast of Ferreirola to 1,150 m altitude and made up to the annexation to La Taha in 1975 a political unit with Ferreirola. The place seems to be the least populated of all seven villages, for he was unknown prior to the Moorish period. Traditionally, lived in the village together Christians and Muslims. There is a church with a small rectangular nave and a roof provided, which was renewed several times. The tower and the sacristy close in and are surrounded by a cemetery. In February, the Fiesta la Candelaria and the second weekend is here in August the Fiesta de la Virgen Gracia instead.