This town is located in the middle of the fertile plain of Granada, in the first spurs of Sierra Nevada. In fact, it is located just in the southern border of the Fertile plain, where the land begins to raise high in its ascent to the mounts. Cájar has managed to combine with great harmony the traditional architecture of its older neighbourhood with the residential villas of the beginning of the century and the modern constructions of the new suburbs. Like peculiar data, it is necessary to stand out that this town has the smallest district of Andalucia, just two squared kilometres, and that houses several convents, for that reason the area is popularly known as "the small Vatican".
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 Convent of the Siervas de San José in Cájar. |
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It is one of the calmest and most attractive towns of the surroundings of the city of the Alhambra. Its active cultural activity extends throughout the year. Polyphonic meetings in spring, the youthful festival of theatre and dance in May, the international encounter of orchestras in June, the festival of rocieros choirs in July and the Christmas carols for stringed instruments contest in December.
Although in its origin it was a farmhouse surrounded by fruit trees, orchards and gardens, settlements that date from the 2500 b.C have been found from its more remote past. As farmhouse it was called Qïyar. The place, in spite of its little extension, received importance benefits from the commerce of the produced silk. During the second half of the XV century thirty five houses were built where today the Real, Horno and Del Rosal streets are. In 1491 a bloody battle in its surroundings took place, the so called “battles of La Zubia”, and after the Reconquista some houses were sold to Christians.
In 1572 the church and about ten houses were built. In this century it is said that San Juan de Dios went to this town to collect donatives for his hospital. Until the XVII century, Cájar was liked with Huétor Vega, with the name of Guetor-Cáxar. Later, already alone, it changes the name by the one of Cáxar de la Vega. Cájar was one of the many towns that were seriously affected by the 1884 earthquake. Nowadays, it is having a residential value as small town-bedroom of the capital.
The sausage made with jam and back, mixed with spices and seasonings stands out. Others of its cuisine excellences are the trotters in “ajopollo” and the dishes of beans in varied versions. Also from its gastronomy it is necessary to emphasize the soups of maimones, of pimentón or garlic, as well as the cod casserole.
- Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores: The most representative building of Cájar is the parochial church whose construction dates from the XVIII century, in fact, in 1785. In its project and planes worked, among other architects, Ventura Rodriguez. Previously it was dedicated to the mystery of the Encarnacion and at the moment it is dedicated to the cult of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. It is constructed in Neoclassic style, with simple forms and of solid rubblework. Of his interior its altar, with images and paintings of great artistic value, stands out.
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