Laying on the foot of the Zahor hill and on the edge the cliffs of the Torrente river, Nigüelas is not only the highest town of the Lecrín Valley, 931 meters of altitude, but also the most mountainous. Its location constitutes a splendid viewpoint, from where practically all the region is controlled. The Zahor is only the first of a series of mountains that culminate in the 3,300 meters of altitude of the Cerro del Caballo, in whose top the Lanjarón and Nigüelas district link. Although there are many tracks that go from this town to Sierra Nevada, the most advisable is the one than follows the channel of the river until the place of Los Cahorros. This itinerary allows contemplating the rests of several water mills and crosses leafy pines forests.

History

Although there are not many known references about this place from the Muslim period, the few existing ones indicate that Nigüelas was a farmhouse. Its name comes from Niwalas, word that means watchtower or point of high watch. During the Islamic domination this town was part of the Padul Taha, being one of the neighbourhoods that bordered with the Lecrín Valley and the western gate of Sierra Nevada. After the Reconquista it maintained its peculiar agricultural character.

Gastronomy

Nigüelas offers to the visitor a typical cuisine of the Alpujarra as they are the migas, the remojón, the sausages, the pots, the jams and the Moorish desserts, like twisted rolls, pestiños and fried milk. It celebrates the celebration of San Marcos with delicious hornazos.

Museums and monuments

- Casa Zayas: It was built in the XVII century; it stands out by its gardens of romantic cut. Nowadays it is the headquarters of the City council. It receives its name of Maria Antonia Zayas Osorio Calvache, owner of the house until she donated it, when she died without descendants. She was the last representative of one of the noble families last arrived at Granada with the Catholic Kings.
The construction has different architectonic styles. The Arab part conserves the stone tower, the Christian stands out fundamentally by the use of the brick. In the XIX century a tile roof was added to the tower to use it as dryer for the maize. In recent time a restoration has been made that it has allowed adding a new section to the building, as well as its use as public space.

- Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Bautista: It was built in the XVI century. It suffered damages in its original armour during the Moorish rebellion, reason why it was restored later. It is a building of a single section in rectangular plant, whose composition in bricks and stone work reflects its Mudejar style.

- Molino de Aceite. Museo de Agricultura Tradicional: It is a Nasrid building built between the XII and XIV centuries that houses one of the oldest oil mills of Spain. It has been turned into Museum of Traditional Agriculture. It is divided in five rooms, beginning by the courtyard for the transport of the olive, finishing in the office, with its great earthenware jars where the oil was stored, and passing through the small mill of animal traction, the pond and the mill moved by water. Farming tools, farmers’ belongings and all the necessary utensils to obtain oil complete the exhibition.