Deifontes brings together a spring area, Roman water structures, a Nasrid-era watchtower and Mudéjar architecture. This offers several ways to experience the area on a cultural and scenic stay: water as a natural phenomenon, as the focus of historic structures and as a source of energy in the past. La Atalaya and historic buildings in the town add to the picture.
Spring Area and Roman Waterworks
El Nacimiento lies about one kilometre from the centre of Deifontes. In this spring area, water bubbles up through sandy pools shaded by poplars, rockroses, elms and willows. The average flow rate is 1,000 litres per second.
The River Cubillas runs through El Nacimiento. There are two dams here: a modern one and one that is heavily deteriorated; the original Roman stone blocks are still preserved in the deteriorated dam. The Presa de Barcinas is another Roman structure. It dates from approximately the 1st or 2nd century BC and was used to hold back water from the River Cubillas.
At Venta del Nacimiento, stone columns from Roman structures remain, probably belonging to a temple dedicated to the water god. At La Fábrica de la Luz, the remains of two former hydroelectric plants can still be seen. Together, these traces show the different ways water has been used: as a spring, in structures built to hold back river water and for energy generation in the past.
La Atalaya and Routes Through the Landscape
The La Atalaya watchtower was built in the 14th century during the Nasrid period and formed part of an Arab communications and alarm network for the defence of Arab settlements. From there, the entire Cubillas River valley is in view: from Iznalloz, across mountains and plains, to the Cubillas Reservoir and neighbouring villages.
The Arab Atalaya Route starts in Deifontes and runs via Camino de la Atalaya, Pico del Llano and Collado de la Atalaya to La Atalaya de Deifontes. The climb passes through olive groves towards the Sierra Arana. The sequence of waypoints and the views across the valley offer different clues for understanding the watchtower and its landscape.
Deifontes is also listed on the Ruta de los NazarĂes, between Iznalloz and Albolote. The Deifontes tower is one of the surviving watchtowers and castle remains along the route.
Church and Historic Buildings
The Iglesia de San MartĂn was built in the 17th century in the MudĂ©jar style over an existing small chapel. Its single-nave layout features an artistic coffered ceiling decorated with lacerĂa ornamentation. The three-storey bell tower is topped by a striking pointed hipped roof. The church thus reflects both its earlier construction phase and the architectural forms of the 17th century.
The Casa Palacio de los Condes de AntillĂłn, later the palace of the Marqueses de Casablanca, houses Deifontes Town Hall. These different buildings offer further perspectives on the town, from the history of the church to the historic use of a palace building as a town hall.
Olive Oil and an October Event
Olive oil is also among the local products. The San Isidro de Deifontes cooperative lists extra virgin olive oil and organic olive oil as products; the brands listed are Coprovir, Ecovir and Fuentes de Dios. This adds a glimpse of local products to the history of the buildings and landscape.
A rapid-chess tournament is held in the municipality in October and is considered one of the best tournaments of its kind in Spain. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the tournament dates for your travel year.
Getting There
Deifontes can be reached from Granada via the A-44. Check road conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: ZĂşjar, Murtas, Diezma, UgĂjar, BenalĂşa De Las Villas, Alfacar, El Varadero, Galera
For the main travel overview: Granada.
