Casa Molina, Diezma, Granada
3 bedrooms, sleeps 6 people
Shared Swimming Pool
Casa Molina is part of a new conversion of an old olive mill.
It sleeps six and shares a swimming pool with the other three properties. It
has a large lounge on the first floor and terrace on the second that take
advantage of the superb south facing position with stunning views of the
Sierra Nevada. Six of the rooms have windows taking advantage of the
south-facing aspect just above the town centre with a the spectacular view
from east to west of most of the 3000m peaks in the Sierra Nevada range,
snow capped well into spring.
The village of Diezma is 35 kms east of
Granada, just off the motorway to Murcia. It lies at the edge of both the
Sierra Huétor Parque Natural and the plain of El Marquesado. At 1,233
metres, it is an olive growing area, known as the viewpoint of the Sierra
Nevada, an ideal centre for touring, trekking or cycling but not yet
discovered by foreign tourists. Within walking distance are shops, a bank,
and a choice of bars, restaurants, a weekly market and even a distillery.
Just a couple of miles away is a 4 star hotel and restaurant.
Diezma’s origin goes back to the Roman Empire, when it provided
accommodation for travellers who went by the Augusta Route from Acci to
Iliberis. During Arab times it became a farming community. Its name is
related to the term diezmo, a religious tax that the villagers paid to the
church. The gastronomy is marked by a Moorish tradition and gachas, roasted
lamb and gazpacho are typical dishes. Diezma is famous for its partridges,
in sauce or marinated in vinegar, as well as its homemade cheeses, the
spirits that are distilled in the village and - combining two local products
- cherries in anis.
Granada is just 35km or half an hour by motorway, over Puerto de la Mura,
1390m and through the Sierra Huértor national park. A World Heritage Centre
with the Alhambra, Generalife palace, gardens and Albaicín white town on the
adjacent hill; it has a cathedral [1523] with the tomb of Ferdinand and
Isabella cathedral [1523], a university [1526], monasteries [1492 and La
Cartuja 1516] and an important Plaza de Toros [1928]. Capital of the Arab
Kingdom in Europe for 800 years until the reconquest by Ferdinand and
Isabella in 1492. An eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, tapas bars and
hotels, including a Parador; with classical, flamenco, jazz and Arabic music
available in many different venues.
Sierra Huértor Parque Natural, of 12,428 hectares, is a middle mountain area
of great botanical importance with oaks, maples gall-oaks and North African
species and is home to golden eagles and wild cats. Not to be missed are the
Arab baths of Cogollos Vega, as well as Cueva del Agua and Fuente Grande.
19 kms east is the city of Guadix, named Gemella Acci Colony by the Romans
and then Wadi-As by the Moors. It has a wealth of grand buildings and
important monuments, not least its impressive Cathedral. Its foundations
were laid on the site of the city’s principal mosque in 1510 and building
continued in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neo-Clasical styles until the
XVIII century. The museum includes an impressive collection of gold and
silver. Beyond the majestic and colossal medieval Alcazaba at the high point
of town, a testament to Guadix’s Islamic past, is the Barrio de las Cuevas,
the biggest concentration of cave dwellings in Europe. There is a big
open-air market on Saturdays.
There are caves and and a troglodyte population also at Purullena and the
neighbouring town of Graena, with its thermal water baths. Further south is
the village of La Calahorra [36km] with its famous XVI century castle and
next the mountain pass of La Ragua [48km], a popular trekking and cross
country ski centre, which at 2000m is the only road over the Sierra Nevada
to Las Alpujarras and Gerald Brenan’s Yegen [97km].
Diezma is also great base for fishing with the new Embalse de Frederico
Abellan just 5km away. It has an open aspect with large shallow coves all
round and a restaurant built into the cliffs. Embalse de Quentar, further
into the Sierra Nevada towards Granada is easily accessible. It has steep
sides but with several flat areas ideal for a range of fishing styles. Both
have carp, barbel, trout and bass.
The Accommodation:
Ground floor:
large kitchen/dining room with log burning stove, two bedrooms and shower
room with basin and wc
First floor:
spacious lounge with open stairs, French window and balcony
taking advantage of the spectacular view, principal bedroom, bathroom with
bidet, basin and wc
Second floor:
utility room with sink and washing machine opening onto south-facing 23m²
terrace
The property has full under floor central heating
30 minutes to Granada,
30 minutes to Granada airport,
90 minutes to Almería and Málaga airports
1 hour to skiing,
1 hour to coast,
Malaga 157km
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