Bubión and its architecture

Bubión is a town and municipality in Spain belonging to the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Since 2018, Bubión has been a part of the network The most beautiful towns in Spain.

Tourism and main attractions

It is one of three mountain villages of the Barranco de Poqueira in the Alpujarras region. The other two villages, Pampaneira and Capileira, are located higher in the Poqueira gorge.

The architecture of Bubión, as well as that of all the towns of the high Alpujarra, is characterized by houses without roofs. From the time of the Arab occupation, the houses began to be built with launa (The launa is a magnesium clay with a slate structure and bluish-gray color, which results from the decomposition of clay slate, and which, due to its magnificent waterproofing and insulating properties, is used to cover ovens and roofs), emerging the terraos.

It is said that they have a horizontal shape to prevent the accumulation of snow in the exits of the house; in this way the snow stays on the ground. Other versions suggest that the terraos were born due to the impossibility of obtaining tiles due to the poor quality of the clay in that area; the only houses with tiles were those of the more affluent families, who could afford to buy them and transport them to the right place.

The balconies full of pots with plants and flowers are also very characteristic of the area, providing a great color to the streets.

In the historic center of Bubión there are the oldest houses, with their Alpujarra portals, known as tinaos, and their streets full of flowers. On the main route of the town it is possible to find yourself in the lower part of it, where the Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, the town hall and the Alpujarra museum are located. This museum was previously a house built in the Plaza de la Iglesia around the time of the Reconquest; currently serving as a museum with Alpujarra decoration and furniture.

The church is in the Mudejar style, whose tower was a castle and also served as a bulwark for the followers of Abén Humeya. Its construction took place in the 16th century. The tower was destroyed by an earthquake and was later rebuilt by a local architect. In this tower you can find two bells, of which the largest has an inscription with the year of its creation: 1771. This inscription refers to the patron, San Sebastián, and the Virgen del Carmen. The smallest bell is known as the bluebell.

The church is dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario, an unknown aspect until a restoration of the building was carried out, because until then it was considered that it was dedicated to San Sebastián. The points of great interest for its architecture and history are the Hermitage of San Antonio, the Alpujarra museum, the public laundries, the Poqueira river path or the eras.

How to get to?

  • From Granada 1 hr 28 min (74.3 km) via A-44
  • From Seville 3 hr 43 min (313 km) via A-92
  • From Madrid 5 hr 19 min (496 km) via A-4 and A-44

Main information

Coordinates: 36°57′N 3°21′W

Population: 298

Languages: Spanish

Currency: Euro

Visa: Schengen

Time: Central European UTC +1

See also Pyrenees travel guide

See also France travel guide

See also Andorra travel guide

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