Alomartes: Landscape and Culture at the Foot of the Sierra de Parapanda

Alomartes lies at the foot of the Sierra de Parapanda. Its landscape, local history, and traditions give the village several distinct facets: a route leads from the Área Recreativa de Alomartes to Cerro de los Santos, springs and a mill are reminders of local history, and a festival in August is part of the annual calendar. When planning your trip, consider whether you would most like to explore the landscape, the village’s history, or its culture.

Route and Landscape at Cerro de los Santos

The Área Recreativa de Alomartes is at the edge of the village on the road toward Íllora, about one kilometer from the village. It is accessible via a dirt track and is the starting point for the Área Recreativa de Alomartes–Cerro de los Santos route. From there, the trail leads to Cueva del Agua at the highest point of the route and continues to the Cuesta de Cambril viewpoint on the slope of the Sierra de Parapanda.

The vegetation changes along the way. The route passes through a replanted pine forest with scattered almond trees. Torvisco, aulaga, and aromatic plants such as thyme, rosemary, and lavender grow among them. Cañá Honda presents a marked contrast: the area is very damp and rich in moss, lichens, and ferns. This means you encounter both woodland plants and an especially damp landscape on the same route.

From the viewpoint, you can see Alomartes, the village’s cultivated land, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Cerro de los Santos is also home to the “Hoyo de la Bandera,” carved into the rock. It may have been used to set up a flagpole. Signals were sent from this part of the hill to the visible fortress of Íllora. The route therefore combines nature and views with traces that tell the story of how the area was once used.

Springs, a Mill, and Local History

Alomartes originated in the 14th century as a rural settlement and is mentioned as an alquería (qarya) called Allūmartiš. Water also shapes the village’s history. The Fuente de Alomartes is a natural spring from the Sierra de Parapanda, around which a park was created. Its water was carried by an acequia to the Molino de la Torre. A mill of Arab origin is well preserved; surviving features include the water channel, the cárcavos, the socaz, and the interior. The mill’s former owner also assembled an ethnographic collection of folk objects from everyday life in the past.

Another spring is the Fuente de Los Caños, on the cemetery road from Alomartes, next to the Finca del Molino del Rey. It is a public fountain with two metal spouts and a small basin. Its flow is irregular and decreases during droughts. The two springs therefore offer different points of connection with local history: the Fuente de Alomartes is linked to the park and the former water channel to the mill, while the Fuente de Los Caños is distinguished by its location and physical features.

Festivals and Local Traditions

The festival in honor of Ntra. Señora de los Dolores is celebrated around the second weekend in August. Exact dates may vary from year to year, so check ahead if you want to plan your trip around the festival. The Jota de Alomartes is also part of the village’s cultural character. It belongs to the “robaos” or “cortijeros,” a type of fandango characteristic of this area. In addition, the provincial route “La última frontera” passes through Alomartes.

These highlights give you a clear framework for choosing your destination and help you plan your stay in Alomartes around your interests.

For the broader travel overview: Illora.