Alhabia Travel Guide

Picture: Wikimedia Commons

The first cultural mention of Alhabia corresponds to an account by Idrisi (the geographer and Muslim chronicler of the 12th century), as it became part of the Taha of Marchena in the 13th century when the kingdom of Granada was created. After the surrender of Baza and the capitulation of Almeria, the modern history of Alhabia began in the year 1489. The economic activity of Alhabia has traditionally been agriculture, which has taken advantage of nearby water resources from the Andarax and Nacimiento rivers.

Since the time of Muslim domination, apart from the cultivation of the vine, fruit trees, vegetables and mulberries have been sowed. Citrus cultivation is currently being developed, but a powerful economic source based on ceramic production has also emerged. Ceramics in Alhabia have their origins in the Al-Andalus period; however, this art has been maintained over time and today has become a local industry, both in its artisanal modality and at the level of pottery companies that manufacture bricks.

As for the gastronomy, there is a great variety of dishes, including the fried alpujarrena, the cabañil garlic choto, the tabirnas colorás (a stew of potatoes with red peppers, onion and garlic), the gurullos, the migas and the pelotas stew. The desserts comprise the egg and almond soplillos, the Holy Week rolls, the honey mantecados and the honey rolls.