Introduction:

Taking its name from the Latin word “capilaris,”Capileira means“ a more elevated place.”  Set in the Poqueira Ravine, Capileira is a town of beauty and elegance.  It also holds the title as the second highest town in all of Spain standing over 1,400 metres above sea level. Named a town of historical-artistic importance by the Spanish government, Capileira is both beautiful and a popular location among true nature lovers.  Capileira’s location at the base of the Veleta Peak offers hikers a wide array of trails.

History:

Historians feel that Capileira dates back to the time of the Godos (a derogatory term used to describe low-class Spaniards).  Typically in Spanish history, the Moors (Arabs) built up a town or city only to have it taken by Christian kings and their armies centuries later.  This is true, but the Moors settled in this area far later than in other towns.  The Moors disliked the steep incline that led to the town.  It made the area hard to reach for supplies. Eventually, the Christians seized Capileira in 1568.  The Moors were banished from the area as the Christians claimed it as their own. The population suffered greatly and it took many decades to build the town’s population back up.  Today, close to 580 people make Capileira their home.

Site Seeing:

Every November, the chestnut is celebrated in high fashion.  A huge bonfire is lit in the town centre.  Ample quantities of chestnuts are roasted in the bonfire and then devoured by anyone attending the festival.  It is customary to wash down the chestnuts with shots of anise liqueur. Every January, residents get together in the town square and hold a grand pig roast in celebration of the yearly slaughter.  A variety of food and wine are shared among the community during this celebration. Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María la Mayor was built in 1502.  The church was raised over the remains of an ancient mosque.  A baroque wood altar is the church’s main feature.  Images of the Virgen de la Cabeza can also be viewed within the church’s main room. Museo Pedro Antonio de Alarcón is the town’s artistic museum.  The museum offers insight into the famed author and political figure. Entering into the town centre, you will find an array of specialty shops that sell things from crafts to freshly baked goods.  La Galería is a local art gallery where artists from the region show and sell their works of art.  La Alacena is a neat shop near the church that sells specialty food products from cured ham to barrels of a wine.  La Alacena is unique in that they have a small bar in the back where customers can sample the array of products before purchasing. For the hiker, there are many trails found on every edge of town.  North, south, west, or east, you will find the start to a trail or trails that wind up into the surrounding mountains.

Industry:

Tourism is important to the people of Capileira.  Local grown produce, artisan cheese, cured hams (Jambon), and artistic products bring necessary revenue into the town’s economy.  As hikers converge on the town, it delivers plenty of income into the town’s hotels and restaurants. Capileira is home to one of the area’s greatest woodworking industries.  The business specializes in handcrafted Mudejar style cabinets.

Gastronomy:

Capilurrios still do much of their baking in Arab-style ovens.  The ovens are often made of brick or lined with clay and hold their heat extremely well.  Bread is a mainstay of the community; fresh bread is baked daily in many homes. “Poor Man’s Potatoes” (Patatas a lo Pobre) is a simple, yet delicious, dish in which potatoes, onions, and green peppers are tossed with olive oil and then sautéed until crispy.  This dish utilizes many of the area’s most common ingredients.  Not only do they grow easily in the soil, but also onions and potatoes are easily stored for long periods of time.  Fried eggs and chorizo or black pudding (types of sausages) are also typical of the Capilurrios dinners.

Nightlife:

Surprisingly, despite Capileira’s small size, it still offers a number of delightful tapas bars and even a couple nightclubs.  The clubs are small, but do offer a good selection of dance tunes and dance floors that are large enough to suit most partier’s needs.  The tapas bar, Muy Buenas, even has internet hook-ups for their customers. El Tilo is one of Capileira’s best.  This tapas bar offers a delightful outdoor terrace where patrons can drink and eat until the early hours while taking in the clear night sky.

Summary:

The whitewashed buildings that make up Capileira create a stunning image high on the green, beige, and grey mountainside.  The Capilurrios are some of the friendliest Spaniards in all of Spain.  Do expect them to treat you like royalty during your stay.  One of their highlights is making sure all guests are fully satisfied, so food and drink are plentiful from daybreak to sunset.

Useful Business Links for Capileira: