Guajar Alto History

It seems inconceivable that anything violent could ever occur in the picturesque, quiet little village of Guájar Alto. But violence did occur – in 1569. 

The first Moors (Saracens) arrived in Spain around 712 A.D. During the invasion, King Rodrigo (the king of the Visigoths) lost his life. The Moors went on to conquer most of Spain and destroy the Visigoth kingdom. 

The battle of Covadonga marked the start of a long campaign (over 700 years) to win back Spain from the Moors. Success eventually came in 1492 when Muhammad XII handed over the keys to the city of Granada. However, a pact was made that was intended for the two cultures to co-exist. The pact was short lived. 

Guájar Alto is one of the three villages in the valley called Los Guájares. The three villages (Guájar Fondón, Guájar Faragüit, Guájar Alto) were founded by the Moors. El Peñon is a prominent natural fortress of rock above the village. 

The Granada region at the time was largely populated by Muslims who were coming under severe restrictions (ban on Arab style clothing and the use of Arabic) and heavy taxes on one of their primary sources of income – the silk that they produced. These draconian measures were largely due to individuals seeking power and influence and the settling of age-old family feuds. Ultimately, in 1568, the population could take no more and an uprising ensued. It took about three years to quell the rebellion and a decisive battle took place in and around Guájar Alto in February 1569. 

There are various stories about the events at the time and what caused this battle to take place. However, there is one story that seems to pop up in all accounts – as follows: 

There was a storm that caused a fleet of ships to be lost in the bay of La Herradura. On hearing of this a local village lord (Don Juan Zapata) forced the inhabitants of the villages of Los Guajares to provision them for several years (because of lost cargos? because he could? don’t know!). The villagers got fed up with this and one day trapped Zapata and his men in the church in Guájar Alto and set fire to it killing them all (actually, one version says that Zapata was killed in the street). 

According to one telling of this story, realising that this act would not go unpunished by the Christian rulers, the inhabitants armed themselves and headed for El Peñon where they put up barricades. The story goes that they were joined there by parties of bandits from the surrounding countryside. 

The Christian forces did indeed arrive in order to put down the rebellion (a rebellion that was by now rife in the whole area). This is, again where there are various stories about who arrived and under whos command. One story goes like this. 

For two days the Christians were beaten off by the Moors, who were hurling various missiles down upon them whenever they attempted to advance. The Christian forces were ordered to fall back as the sun was setting and the Moors decided to make their escape – leaving the feeble and some women and children behind. One of the other accounts is even more gruesome so I’ll spare you that one. 

When the Christian forces, under the command of Marcos el Zamar, made it to the summit, such was the commander’s anger that he order all those who remained to be put to the knife. Despite the pleas from the women, their children were thrown down the cliff to their deaths – no-one remained alive. 

Whatever the true account, it’s clear that a fierce battle did take place and attrocities were carried out on both sides. If you’re considering visiting this lovely region – have no fear, nothing like that happens these days (just don’t upset the locals though!).