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 Iglesia Parroquial
La Zubia has a privileged location and surroundings as it serves as the gateway to the National and Natural Park of Sierra Nevada. The area is known as the ‘Campana Granadina’ and is surrounded by fertile lands.
It is a municipality that protects the footprints of settlements and culture that has flourished in the past. It is most important to mention as well that it has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Moreover, the town is filled with recreation area, beautiful fields, caves and hills enabling you to do various tourist activities.
Aside from our heritage it is worth highlighting the following:
-16th Century Paroquial church
-19th Century Archiepiscopal Palace
-Arab baths (under construction)
-16th Century Church of San Luis
History
The name of the town derives from the Arabic word ‘Al-Zawiya’ meaning hermitage or retreat. The Arab inhabitants found that the town was situated in a privileged and exceptional place where one can relax and rest thus came the name of the town. And since then it has been known and been called La Zubia, its Spanish name.
The Legend of Laurel
According to the records of that period, the Catholic Queen Isabel wanted to see the beautiful views surrounding the Alhambra and so she was brought up to the town of La Zubia which has brought about a struggle between the Arab camp and the queen’s guards and whilst the conflict was taking place, the queen and her entourage sought the protection of the laurel shrubs (bay plant).
Those shrubs now occupy almost the entirety of the ‘Residencia de Monjas Mercedarias’ (Residence of the Mercedarias nuns), which used to be ‘Palazio Arzobispal’ (Archiespiscopal Palace).
The Catholic Queen Isabel made a promise that if the Arab troops were not captured she would order the construction of a convent dedicated to San Luis el Real, whom to date carries the emblem of the Catholic Kings. (source: Miguel Lafuente Alcantara. “Historia de Granada, 1846)
 La Cortijuela
One of the most beautiful natural environment and landscape in Andalucia is the Natural Park of Sierra Nevada and La Zubia serves as the gateway to the park. From here and to the direction of Cumbres Verdes and Fuente de Hervidero you will encounter the most interesting and beautiful botanical gardens you will find in Andalucia, it is the Botanical Garden of the Cortijuela (Jardin Botanica de la Cortijuela) located near the Trevenque hill, in a place called ‘La Cortijuela’inside the National Park. It is a great place to appreciate and know some of the rarest plants in Andalucia, plants that are endangered and protected by Spanish laws.
Schedule:
Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 4:00
Free Entrance
For a guided tour there is a minimum of 15 people (also free entry)
Reservation number 958 026 000
www.waste.ideal.es/cortijuela.htm
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