Hello everybody! We are David, Juan and Chema and you are listening to the podcast eighth episode belonging to the IES Mediterráneo Podcast Project. In this week recording, we are going to have a look at the Alpujarras.

Let’s start with the history of this Andalusian subregion:

In ancient times, Phonecians, Carthaginians and Romans came to the Alpujarras because of its wealth. This wealth consisted of iron, silver, plumb and copper mines.  However, it was only when the Arabs arrived in the 14 and 15 centuries that this mountainous region started to be populated. During these centuries, the Alpujarras achieved the point of their greatest splendour as canals were built and the perfume and silk trade was good for the population. After the conquest of Granada, in 1492, by the Catholic Monarchs, more Arabs came to the Alpujarras, but they were later evicted by Christian troops. Nowadays, the Alpujarras are a well preserved area with their traditional views, their countryside, their typical architecture…

But where is this region?

The Alpujarras are located in Eastern Andalusia, between the provinces of Almería and Granada. It occupies an approximate land extension of 2,600 square kilometres. It is a natural region delimited on the the North by Sierra Nevada, with the most elevated summits of the Iberian Peninsula: Mulhacén (3,481m) and Veleta (3,392m); and on the South, by the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to this, in its territory there are the Mountain range of Gádor, the Mountain range of Lújar and the Mountain range of the Contraviesa. It is a land formed by great mountains, precipices, enormous gorges, and wonderful landscapes. In the Alpujarras, specific climatic conditions are given since it goes from the cold of the snow to the warm Mediterranean climate in very few kilometres.

If we focus on other aspects, such as their people, we can say that they are very friendly and helpful with outsiders.

Among popular towns, we find Lanjarón, known for its bath and famous all over Spain and by its water. Trevelez is considered to be the highest town of Spain with 1476 meters of altitude.

Finally, if we have a look at their food, the greatest typical food is the Trevelez ham, which is exquisite. It is necessary to highlight as well their delicious white and red wines, which make of every meal a pleasure.

 Well, that was all. We hope you have found this information interesting and you want to visit this region.

 Thanks for listening!

ACTIVITIES

1. Listen to the previous podcast file and answer to these questions:

a) Who were the first people to come to the Alpujarras?

b) What type of trade was made in medieval times?

c) How vast are the Alpujarras?

d) What are the names of popular towns? Why are they popular?

e) Apart from the Trevelez ham, what other foods can you find?
 

2.  Create a glossary with all the words you have listened to in relation to geographical features and the weather.

3. Can you provide a description of a typical house in the Alpujarras? What colour are they? Why? What materials are they made of? What are their rooms? Are they prepared for winter and summer?

PÁGINA DE INICIO