Láujar De Andarax between the Sierra Nevada and the Río Andarax

At an altitude of 918 m, Láujar De Andarax lies in the upper valley of the Río Andarax, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The valley and the edge of the mountains shape the geographical setting of the town. The named trails and buildings also offer different perspectives: from vegetation zones along a hiking route to fountains and historic buildings in the streets.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

Route D leads from Láujar De Andarax via Loma Raspa and back. It passes through riparian woodlands and reforested pine forests, by many centuries-old holm oaks, and through high-mountain tufted grasslands. The vegetation offers several concrete clues to the character of the route: riparian woodland, pine forest, old holm oaks and tufted grassland are all part of its landscape. Visitors who want to explore the area through its plant communities will find more than just one type of landscape here.

Several hiking trails start at the El Nacimiento recreation area and head through the Sierra Nevada, including the Senda de Monterrey. El Nacimiento can therefore be considered both a starting point for these trails and a destination in its own right. The recreation area is the source of the Río Andarax. Tables are set beneath the trees; cascades and calm pools also define the place. The river source, water and the described places give it a different focus from Route D, whose vegetation zones characterize the trail.

A walk along the fountains leads through the streets of Láujar De Andarax. Locally, the fountains are called “pilares.” While the hiking trails mentioned above run through the Sierra Nevada, this walk follows the fountains in the town. A landscape route and a walk through the streets thus offer two different ways of exploring the area.

Buildings and History

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Encarnación was built in the 17th century. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Salud was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The chapel combines two different stylistic influences: Mudéjar on the exterior and Baroque inside. Only the ruins remain of the Convento de San Pascual, a monastery built between the 17th and 18th centuries. For these three buildings, both their different construction periods and their varying states of preservation should be noted: the construction period is given for the church and chapel, while the monastery is described as being in ruins.

Another building is one of the few surviving palatial residences in Láujar De Andarax. It is located on Calle Granada, has three floors and bears a coat of arms of the Moya family carved in white stone on its façade. An inscription on the façade gives 1732 as the year it was built and names Agustín Gómez as its original owner. These details combine the building’s architectural features with two specific historical facts: a year of construction and the name of the original owner.

Visitor Center

The Laujar de Andarax Visitor Center can be reached from Láujar De Andarax via the C-332 road. The parking area is at kilometer 1.

Discover more destinations: Fuente Victoria, Antas, Los Cerricos, Santa María del Águila, Uleila Del Campo, Abrucena, Felix, Las Norias

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