ABOUT THE AREA
Granada Renovations & Granada Inland Properties are based in the town of Illora in the district of Poniente Granadino, to the west of Granada, which incorporates a wide variety of attractive, unspoilt towns, villages and hamlets. Only 30 minutes from Granada and the airport the district continues to grow in popularity but still remains pretty much undiscovered and retains all the charm and character that distinguish it as the real Spain. You won’t find any Costa coffee, fish and chips or John Smiths here, although, you can get the international editions of a good variety of British newspapers. We all need our little luxuries.
The area is very much dominated by farming, olives being the predominant crop, with olive groves stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions. The backdrop to the area are the beautiful Sierra Parapanda and Sierra Madrid ranges, with a vast fertile plane sweeping all the way back down to Granada and the Sierra Nevada, offering spectacular views. The pace of life here is very relaxed and the people very welcoming, but be warned, they speak very little English. This is the real Spain after all. It is also the land of free tapas which are served in almost all bars when buying alcohol but not tea or coffee. They come in many delicious varieties, are usually made from fresh local produce, and tend to improve with each new drink purchased. They are also great value with the average price of a beer and free tapa being around £1.
If you enjoy history and historical sites then you won’t be disappointed. The history of this region stretches all the way back to the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar being the district Governor for several years, and includes periods of influence from the Visigoths and the Vandals. Of course the dominant history of the region dates back to the 711AD invasion by the Moors, followed by eight centuries of great influence and turmoil. Many of their spectacular palaces and castles remain today with the Alhambra Palace, in Granada, being the outstanding example. The town of Illora with it’s own ninth century castle overlooking the town typifies the wealth of history the region has to offer.
Illora is also on the Washington Irving route, a nineteenth century American writer who travelled from Seville to Granada where he subsequently wrote “Tales of the Alhambra.” Another historical curiosity of the district are the Duke of Wellington Lands, a large estate comprising olive groves and hunting grounds, still managed to this day by his estate and reportedly used by our current Royal family as a quiet retreat and for a spot of hunting.
If all of that’s not enough then fear not as there are many more distractions to keep you occupied and entertained. From the many lakes and rivers for water sports and fishing, to 3 top class golf courses, the endless mountains and National Parks for Hiking, biking, skiing, horse riding etc.- the list is endless. And of course, if all else fails, Granada is only 30 minutes away and the beach at Salobrena 1 hour, which is worth the trip just for the spectacular drive through the Lecrin valley alone.
