Pitres and the Town Hall Square

Situated at an altitude of 1245 m, Pitres is the administrative centre of the municipality of La Taha. Although it is not known when the territory was first settled, due to the lack of archaeological sites, its origin is possibly late Roman. The word Pitres, a Romance name from the south of the peninsula, means «stones». It currently has a population of 420 inhabitants and is the commercial, health and educational centre of the High Alpujarra.


The laundries

Washing places are very common in the municipality of La Taha. They were built following the canons of traditional Alpujarran architecture. They fulfilled the important functions of hygiene and washing clothes, which was done by hand with homemade soap. They also provided a social function, as it was the meeting point for women where they talked and discussed village affairs.


Unique architecture

Undoubtedly the most characteristic feature of the villages of the region is their architecture. The Alpujarran house blends perfectly into the landscape as the materials used to build them (mainly slate stones and chestnut wood) come from the same environment. They are simple constructions, with thick stone walls that insulate from the cold and heat. They usually have two floors, with the lower floor traditionally for the animals and the upper floor for the dwelling itself. The flat roof is covered with «launa», a type of waterproof clay. Their narrow, twisting streets give us an idea of how this architecture adapts to the topography and not the other way round.


Acequias, sources of life

The acequias are the most typical and characteristic agricultural irrigation system of the Alpujarra. They are irrigation channels that collect the melt water from the rivers that run rapidly towards the sea, and transport it slowly towards the cultivated areas. This means that the vegetation cover and environmental humidity are maintained, creating real ecosystems in these canals. The system of irrigation channels and branches still in use today is practically the same as it was during the Islamic period in the area.


The terraces (bancales) and the balates, a hallmark of the Alpujarra’s identity

With the Islamisation of the region in about the 10th century, a large population settled in the Alpujarra and had to adapt the rugged terrain to their agricultural needs. To this end, a system of terraces (bancales) was created, supported by dry stone walls (balates), which has significantly modified the landscape to the present day. This method, together with the irrigation system (acequias), allowed for the development of highly productive agriculture, making wise use of natural resources and turning the Alpujarra into a world power in terms of mulberry cultivation and silk production during the Middle Ages.


The Bermejo River and its surroundings

The Taha (in medieval times called Taha de Ferreyra) is currently made up of seven small villages that share similar characteristics. One of these is the proliferation of fountains and springs with ferruginous waters due to the abundance of iron ore in the substratum. The river Bermejo, which flows through the area, owes its name to the reddish colour of the iron ore deposits in its course. This river provides water for the irrigation ditches (acequias) that are essential for irrigating the surrounding villages.


Atalbéitar

Atalbéitar is probably the most modern settlement in the municipality (from the Islamic period) and its name comes from the Arabic ‘Arat al Bayṭar (village or neighbourhood of the veterinarian). It seems that here lived a person who knew about natural remedies to be applied to animals and people when medicine was not yet a science. Atalbéitar, although it is a very small village, is very authentic, surprising and beautiful like few others.

Architecture

Undoubtedly the most characteristic feature of the villages of the region is their architecture. The Alpujarran house blends perfectly into the landscape as the materials used to build them (mainly slate stones and chestnut wood) come from the same environment. They are simple constructions, with thick stone walls that insulate from the cold and heat. They usually have two floors, with the lower floor traditionally for the animals and the upper floor for the dwelling itself. The flat roof is covered with «launa», a type of waterproof clay. Their narrow, twisting streets give us an idea of how this architecture adapts to the topography and not the other way round.


On irrigation ditches (acequias) and ferruginous water

Acequias

The acequias are the most typical and characteristic agricultural irrigation system of the Alpujarra. They are irrigation channels that collect the melt water from the rivers that run rapidly towards the sea, and transport it slowly towards the cultivated areas. This means that the vegetation cover and environmental humidity are maintained, creating real ecosystems in these canals. The system of irrigation channels and branches still in use today is practically the same as it was during the Islamic period in the area.

Ferruginous waters

Very common in the municipality of La Taha due to its abundance of iron ore, which is sufficiently concentrated to be dragged out by the water. To the naked eye, the waters are clean and transparent. But when you taste them, you can perceive their characteristic ferrous taste. They form iron oxide deposits that give the springs their reddish colour. Its waters are used by the locals to treat iron deficiencies such as anaemia.


Views of Ferreirola, Fondales and Corona Hill

This elevated vantage point helps us to contemplate the famous Ferreirola trance threshing floor and behind it, the village of Fondales. To our left and below we can see the Trevélez river.


The trance era of Ferreirola

Threshing floors are spaces for agricultural use used until a few years ago for threshing and parva (separating the grain from the straw). They are usually circular and are located next to farmhouses or on the outskirts of villages, in areas exposed to the wind to facilitate the task. They are paved with pebbles or slate slabs. Many of them are very well preserved, bearing witness to the ancient agricultural life of the Alpujarra. The threshing floor of Ferreirola stands out for its good location, facing the ravine.


Gaseosa fountain

A characteristic spring with a greater abundance of dissolved gas in the water from rocks with a high concentration of iron carbonates. With a peculiar taste that is very pleasant to the palate, it is used by the inhabitants of the area to drink with meals as it is considered an appropriate water to facilitate digestion.


The Roman bridge

The Roman bridge, as it’s known in the area, was constructed later, probably during the Islamic period. This bridge crosses the river Trevélez and once served to connect the old Taha de Ferreyra with the area of Órgiva; in fact, it formed part of the old royal road to Almería. Next to the bridge you can see the remains of an old flour mill.


On irrigation ditches (acequias) and, in particular, the irrigation ditch of Fondales

The acequias are the most typical and characteristic agricultural irrigation system of the Alpujarra. They are irrigation channels that collect the melt water from the rivers that run rapidly towards the sea, and transport it slowly towards the cultivated areas. This means that the vegetation cover and environmental humidity are maintained, creating real ecosystems in these canals. The system of irrigation channels and branches still in use today is practically the same as it was during the Islamic period in the area.

The Lino Fondales alberca

An alberca forms part of the Alpujarra irrigation system. Its name comes from the Hispanic Arabic Al Birka (the pond). Albercas are large hydraulic constructions dug into the ground and sometimes complemented and reinforced with stone walls (balates). Their function is to store water from the thawing of the Sierra Nevada for subsequent irrigation by means of irrigation channels. The Lino Fondales pool is a particularly well-preserved example of this type of construction.


Chestnut trees

Chestnut trees originated in Asia and were brought and naturalised by the Greeks and Romans. Initially their use was for food, as the fruit it produces is rich in carbohydrates and flour can be made from it. Its fruit remains part of the local gastronomy, however its main function was to provide wood to make the roofs of the traditional houses of the Alpujarra. They are always found in damp, shady ravines and next to watercourses in general.


Hermitage of Fondales

The hermitage of Fondales dates to the 19th-20th century, with a rectangular floor plan, recently restored. On one of its walls hangs a key from the time of the Moors from a house in Fondales.


Mecina-Fondales Church

The church has a single rectangular nave with some side chapels and a main chapel differentiated by a triumphal arch. The roofs are simple modern trusses, some with polychrome. Attached to the gospel side of the chancel is the tower. The walls are crowned with brick eaves and the entire exterior is whitewashed. In 1536, work was carried out on the church of Mecina-Fondales, which may have been the old mosque building consecrated as a church. In 1547, land was purchased for the new church. In 1564, the interior was decorated with glazed ceramic applications on the steps, parapets, high altar and other altars.