The town of Zagra borders with the towns of Algarinejo and Loja, being very near to the Iznájar reservoir. This settlement is located at the bottom of a high hill in whose top still the rest of an old castle can be seen from which it is enjoyed magnificent views. Its origin, like so many other of the Spanish south, is Arab. Its name comes from the word "sajra” that means rock or edge.

The main economic activity is the agriculture: the olive grove occupies almost the totality of the district, with the exception of the urban areas.

History

In the Zagra district numerous objects have been found that show its prehistoric past and Roman later. Raederas, Neolithic ends of arrow made of silex, axes, ceramics and coins have been found in tombs drilled in stone. Its origin is Arab as it demonstrates its castle. After the Christian conquest, the castle was given to the Castilian warden that tried, in vain, to take control of the señorío of the surrounding land. Because it was a fortress under the direct control of the sultan, without its own jurisdiction, the land was distributed between the Castilian re-settlers that were based in the town. During centuries, before and after its conquest by the Catholic Kings, it depended of the City council of Loja. It was in 1982 when it obtained its district independence.

Gastronomy

In the fields of Zagra olive groves are cultivated and the Iznájar reservoir provides the citizens with fishing. In its cuisine it is received and assumed the influences of the neighbouring province of Malaga. Homemade calderetas of choto and sausages. Among its recipes the sobrehúsa and the porra stand out. And among its desserts the rosquetes, the wind twisted rolls, the piñonate and the borrachuelos stand out.

Museums and monuments

- Arab castle: This fortress was part of the first defensive line of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, although its existence is already documented from several centuries before. It has two separated spaces and a first enclosure of certain extension. Some rests of its towers remain nearly complete as well as important rests of some others. In the castle a clearly Nasrid part is distinguished, that it is well expressed in the upper enclosure. In the second one, there is a rain tank excavated in the rock and reinforced in one of its faces with a rubblework wall whose work seems previous to this last stage. Recently it has been illuminated and qualified so that it can be visited.

- Parochial Church of San Lorenzo