Description  of the hotel & location

The Hotel is located in the Heart of the National Park of Sierra Nevada, in the area of “El Puerto de la Ragua” mountain pass, a natural formation at 2000 m. in altitude,connecting the Alpujarra with the Marquesado area.The Hotel, completely refurbished and modernized, is situated at 1800 m. (5.500 feet) above sea level, in the region known as “Alpujarra”. The building was erected upon the foundation walls of the antique and legendary “Venta del Zamburino” which dated from the late 18th century.
At the end of the Spanish Civil war, the building felt in ruins, and further was refurbished as an Inn, finally converted nowadays in a Rural Hotel, constructed utilising natural and locally crafted materials.
The Hotel is situated by the roadside of the well-known “Camino de los Arrieros”, one of the most important commercial routes since the romans and Phoenicians between the districts of Almería and Granada through this mountain pass. To be exact, this route is part of the roman route from Athens to Gibraltar, well known in this area as GR7.

Geographic situation and distances:

• Guadix: 34 km.
• Granada: 96 km
• Almería: 110 km.
• Murcia: 210km.
• Alicante: 300 km
• Malaga: 220km.
• Madrid: 400 Km.
   

Puerto de la Ragua
Located in the National Park of Sierra Nevada. This pass constitutes the boundary between the provinces of Granada and Almería, and offers numerous possibilities for practicing summer and winter sports, cross country skiing, climb up mountains, like the Chullo who raises up to 2600 m., as well as dog sledding, BTT, Hiking, walking tours, Horse back riding, etc.
From its summit at 2000 m. of altitude, the winter station of La Raga dominates proudly all the region that surrounds its impressive and massive rocks pine woods., with gorgeous panoramic views over the valleys of the Alpujarra district and the Marquesado, even far down below to the sandy clear beaches of Almeria.
Our Reception will be pleased to advice you on local amenities and places of interest.

Fauna and Flora
The Sierra Nevada Natural and National Park are mainly characterized by its extraordinary abundance of species.
The peculiarity of its climate brings in this territory dozens of species saved by extinction, endemic and solely existing in this natural park, since they have disappeared long time ago in other regions and countries.
Another of the definitions of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park is its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, and that is the reason of the presence of different levels of climate and the repercussion on his rich vegetation: we can find from maritime ecosystems along with interior high mountain ones.
From American Prickly pears (cactus) and heart of palms in the low part of the park, passing to Granada, olive and carob trees, the spectacular blossoms of almond trees, chestnuts trees, maples and pine forests.
In the high summits, it is undoubtedly the botanical paradise of the continent, with 66 exclusive endemic species of flowers and even new species under evolution.
The same as with the local flora, a multitude of tiny organisms adapt to the prevailing climatic conditions of the Sierra Nevada.
The area is also a refuge for numerous species at times such as the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar, when many African fauna was caught in this region.
Such situation created endemic and exclusive species which along with the vegetation, make what is called today as biological diversity: invertebrates, endemic species of aquatic insects, , coleopterans( 37 exclusive species ob beetles) 168 vertebrate animals ,most of them birds (red partridge, golden eagle, Griffon vulture, red rock bird, grey wheat eater, alpine hedges sparrow, golden eagle, white coated thrush), carnivores (ferret, fox, ) reptiles(long-nosed viper,ocelated lizard, small Iberian lizards.
Over all, the kings of the vertebrates, the mountain goat (cabra hispanica) perfectly adapted for rock climbing, and the wild boar.
Our area is very rich in hydrological resources, coming mainly from the accumulated snow in the mountains melts. At the thawing time, flow is very abundant.
Resources: For thousands of years, numerous civilizations have settled in our region, and agriculture and cattle-raising have been exercised in these parts. Activities imported by the Arabs, who brought numerous water use techniques from their culture.During Moslem occupation, the Alpujarra area was transformed. The Arabs built modern irrigation methods (ditches, land channels, ponds), exploiting the underground water through systems of filters still remaining over the centuries. Terraced fields to favour water retention, reinforced by woods on their boundaries.

The climate
The climate is at once varied and extreme, typical on high mountains, reaching temperatures range over -15C. These are reasons for 4 seasons are reduced to two: the cold snowy winter and the summer, or thawing period.

The precipitation can vary tremendously from one valley to another or even points in the same valley, due to difference in altitudes.

Culture and Folklore
First inhabitants of the Alpujarra were Neolithic tribes arrived from Africa, then the Tartesians,settled on the foothills around 1200 B.C. exploiting the mines and farming of the valleys. Then the colonization from Mediterranean cultures, such as Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, finally gave way to Romans who notably transformed the region with roads, bridges, temples, etc.
The Key chapter was constituted by the arrival of Arabs, who remained more than 8 centuries in these lands which still keep the memory of their brilliant past.Finally the Moriscos (Moslems of the Granada Kingdom) came to these lands ceded by the Catholic kings upon conquering this city. The conversion to Christianity culminated in their expulsion with Philip II, who ordered repopulation with Christians from the North of Spain, Those people were the most direct ancestors of the present residents.
Folklore is so numerous that we could fill hundreds of pages. Great traditions, such as fairs with profound roots, enhancing the intimate character of the residents. Among them, the most outstanding are the festivities in honour to Santo Cristo, San Sebastian San Francisco Javier, Santa Maria de la Salud (Madonna of health), the magic and ritual Midsummer Night (the night of San Juan).
Gerald Brennan took charge of describing these customs.

Gastronomy
The gastronomic habits of the Alpujarra region have the influence from the rich historical legacy. Civilizations have influenced has been felt throughout centuries of history.
One of the most popular ingredients is oil, obtained from olive trees (often over 100 years old), and constitute a characteristic and important element of the Alpujarra landscape- Irrigation ditches supplied water to vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Typical dishes of this region are salads and assorted ratatouilles with many ingredients.
The Moslem influence accentuated the regional desserts, exquisite treats, numerous sweets made of almond, figs, pine nuts, raisins and nuts. Bee raising customs produce honey, important ingredient in pastries as the Roscos (doughnuts), almond puffs, pestiños (honey tie-shaped pastries), fritters (buñuelos) with chocolate, roscos of anise, cuajados (custards with eggs,almonds and sugar).
Remarkable dishes as well are the cheeses from goats and sheep’s milk, the “Gachas” a porridge made of flour, artichokes and broad beans, and the “cocidos” (porridge of corn and bread crumbs, complemented with vegetables and pork products) served in casseroles in earthenware pots ands stews with rice, chicken, rabbit and partridge.
The Ham (jamón de Trevelez) is renowned in whole Spain as beyond the borders. The dry-cold climate occurs in this small district making possible the curing process under unique exceptional conditions.
Another identifying sign of this area’s gastronomy is the local wine from the district “La Contraviesa”. The wine yards are situated on the slopes of the Coastal range, being eminently a wine-making zone, where vineyards share space with fig and almond trees.