IZNALLOZ
If you love Spain, but want to get away from 'the Costas' and the influx of seasonal holidaymakers, why not take a look further inland and sample the delights of 'Real Spain.' Here you will find beautiful scenery as well as traditional Spanish families who still hold traditional family values. Like stepping back in time, the neighbours here still help one another and look out for each other and you can still leave your front door open.....and make time to bring a smile to everyone's face - check out 'Happy Iznalloz' on You Tube!
Iznalloz has approximately 7,000 inhabitants and has all the necessary facilities required for modern day living and yet still manages to maintain its' Spanish character and 'Olde World Charm.' Iznalloz is ideally situated to explore a large area of Andalucia and her diverse landscapes. Nearest airport is Granada (25 minutes), alternatively Malaga airport can be reached in 90 minutes or much less if new toll road is used. The village has its' own railway station with regular services to and from Granada as well as frequent bus services.
Iznalloz has a large supermarket that is open all day as well as several smaller supermarkets and individual shops for all your needs, an open air market is held every Tuesday on the grounds of the village sports centre.
The village has a large health centre as well as a 24 hour A & E centre.
Granada City and the famous Alhambra Palace are only a 25/30 minute drive away. The main autovia can be reached in less than 10 minutes and you can be heading south towards Granada or onward to the coast, or north to Jaen and Alcala Real in next to no time. On the outskirts of Granada you will also find a large waterpark, this is open from June - September.
It's an excellent place to make your permanent home, or, if preferred your holiday home. The village itself has lots to offer with two outdoor pools, and a large sports centre. There is also a large outdoor recreational area called 'El Sotillo,' situated at the base of the Sierra Arana mountain range, there is access to picnic areas and ready built barbecues for your sole use and you can also enjoy walking, climbing, cycling, shooting or simply taking in the abundant 'flora' and 'fauna' surrounding you. The village also boasts the famous 'Cuevas del Agua.' These are enormous caves found deep within the mountain, they have their own internal rivers and lakes and a large tourist information centre is currently under construction in the el Sotillo area specifically to deal with these caves. The next step is to install cable cars to carry passengers to and from the entrance to the caves. The Museo Micológico is also to be found in the Sotillo area.
Iznalloz was founded by the Romans and one of their bridges left behind is still in use today. Remains of the Castle of the Almond Trees can still be found, on a hilltop, amongst houses. Also to be found in the village are:
- Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Hermitage of the Virgin of Remedies)
- Old Hospital or Pósito (built with the purpose of being a hospital by order of the Catholic Kings in the XVI century, once finished the church used it as a warehouse for the taxes they collected)
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles - an enormous Parochial church built in the square at the foot of the castle remains (construction began in the middle of XVI century)
Just fifteen minutes drive away you will find Lake Cubillas (village of Colomera), where all kinds of watersports are practised as well fishing. There is a small marina here and a nautical club, you will also find a golf course and several restaurants.
Only 45 minutes drive away is the Sierra Nevada ski/snowboarding/toboganning resort and only an hours' drive away is Salobrena on the Costa Tropical, so it really is possible to go skiing in the morning and sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon!
If all of this is still not enough, take yourself in a north easterly direction and in under an hour you can be at Lake Negratin, a much larger lake than Cubillas, being some 100 kms in area, here you will find more watersports, restaurants, thermal baths and even a naturist beach! On the way to Negratin make sure you take note of the cave houses built into the rocks, or even stop off and visit the Troglodite village.
Within one and half hours you can be in the province of Almeria where you can visit Mini Hollywood - the setting for most of the famous 'Spaghetti Westerns' - here you can stand on the ground once stood on by Clint Eastwood and many other famous actors.
Calahorra Castle is only 30 minutes drive away, amazingly preserved and yet another landmark which can be seen in the famous trilogy of 'Spaghetti Westerns.' So as you can see it's an excellent place to live or holiday in, my advice is to come and see it for yourself! The complete history of the village and surrounding area can be found by visiting www.turgranada.es