Soportújar is settled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park and the Alpujarra region. O Sel Ling, Spain’s first Buddhist colony, calls Soportújar home.

 

This is only one unique fact regarding Soportújar. The town is the highest and prettiest town in the Alpujarra region. It is also one of the few towns where the homes are built over the narrow roads. These “tinaos” originated because the land was too steep to allow for a typical road and housing format. The town’s name, Soportújar, means “place of the supporters.”

Not much is known of Soportújar until the 13th century. At that time, the town was a growing farm community that belonged to the Orgiva Taha. Residents made a living growing crops and bartering with the few tradesmen passing through the area.

 

In the 1500s, Catholic armies advanced and drove the Moors (Arabs) from the area. This led to a dramatic decline of the town’s population. King Felipe II divided the town between twenty-seven families and asked them to rebuild the area.

 

Today, the town remains tiny with around 250 residents. Agriculture remains the town’s largest industry.

Iglesia de Santa María is a gorgeous 16th century church. Built over the remains of an ancient mosque, Iglesia de Santa María features whitewashed walls, a beautiful handcrafted wooden altarpiece, and artwork from the Alonso Cano School.

 

Two ceremonies are enjoyed yearly by the townspeople. The Burnt of Judas occurs on Easter Sunday. At this time, townspeople erect a figure representing Judas and dress him in comical clothing before parading the figure through the town. The celebration ends with a bonfire in which the figure is burned. The New Year is celebrated with bonfires and partying. This Celebration of San Antón is a time for townspeople to start fresh by leaving the events of the past year behind.

 

From 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm visitors are welcome at O Sel Ling or “The Place of Clear Light.” O Sel Ling was given to the Dali Lama in the 80’s and has been a major Buddhist centre for decades. Lavish gardens, sculptures, and courtyards are worth viewing. There are two rules for tourists. Your car must be left at the gates, and once you pass through the gate, you may not talk again until you leave the premise.

 

Finally, in the middle of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park stands the Forest House. Here you can take a break from your hiking. The park is full of trails that wind through the glorious forests of the Sierra Nevada range.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Soportújar. Chestnuts, apples, and olives are the crops that grow and thrive in the region. The olives are used to create rich olive oil, a household staple for many.

 

Tourism truly does not play more than a miniscule portion of Soportújar’s yearly economy. A few hikers make their way through the area in the summer months, but not enough to truly make a dent in the area revenue.

Apples, olives, and chestnuts are Soportújar’s largest crops. Much of their cuisine revolves around these three foods. Olives are pressed to make exquisite olive oil. Apples are common in everything from breakfast to dessert.

 

Pig roasts are held annually in the town. It is an excellent way to meet the friendly locals while enjoying traditional cuisine. A feast of roast pork, sausage, cheeses, and beer makes for lasting memories.

 

Soportújar also offers one traditional dessert that pleases both young and old. The fried sticks of dough (similar to churros) are flavoured with lemon peel, fried in olive oil, and then dusted with sugar.

With a population of 274 people (some of them are Buddhist), there is no need for Soportújar to support a variety of bars and nightclubs. You can find one or two neighbourhood bars, but do not expect to find more than that. If you want a more active dance club, you will need to visit outlying areas.

Soportújar is a small town with little to offer the active tourist. It is a community that thrives on serenity and tranquility. O Sel Ling is worth a visit, providing you can obey their two strict rules. However, if you are looking for a lot of busy activities, you will find Soportújar to be a disappointment.

 

The lack of activity is not a bad thing, however. The town is perfect for taking your mind off your troubles. You can view the surrounding area from the high elevation and view clear to the Mediterranean Sea, not many other areas can boast such impressive views. Expect to sit back and truly relax when you visit Soportújar.