Surrounded by the Sagra, Castril, Baza and Cazorla mountains, Galera is an unspoiled village in the Altiplano of the Granada province. These high-altitude plains boast surreal natural beauty as dry landscape contrasts with lush forest and rivers. Though the history of the area dates back 4,000 years, fewer than 1,500 people currently live in Galera, and it is a bit off the beaten path for many tourists. Nevertheless, the village, which sits at 2,700 feet above sea level, offers travelers interesting things to do.
Be a Cave-Dweller
- While they may not rival Bruce Wayne's Batcave, fully furnished caves are available for rent in and around the village. Built into the rock face, cave homes were once the domain of villagers of humble means, but artists from the around the world now come to design their own cave dwellings. Andalusia.com estimates that 5,000 such dwellings now exist in the Antiplano and neighboring Guadix; these include several for rent around Galera.
Be a Church-Goer
- Declared a national monument in 1983, the 16th-century Church of the Annunciation was built in the Mudejar style, which mixes Christian and Muslim design, with a Baroque chapel added more than a century later. While the church is arguably the most impressive structure in Galera, other monuments include a massive iron bridge and three military watchtowers. Built during the Moorish occupation, the Fuente Amarga and square-shaped Ozmin Tower remain largely intact, while the Teon Tower is in ruins.
Make Like Indy
- With more than four millenniums of history, Galera is the perfect place to make like Indiana Jones. The area has several archaeological sites, including the Bronze Age Castellon Alto and the Tutugi Necropolis tombs, which notably produced the Phoenician "Goddess of Galera" figurine from the seventh century B.C. An easier way to explore the Altiplano past is at the two-story Archaeological Museum, housed at an old convent. The collection includes many local artifacts covering several cultures, while an underground bodega highlights hemp, esparto grass and traditional Galera wine-making.
Party, Spanish-Style!
- The locals apparently like to throw a lot of fiestas. Most are religious in nature, but events like the Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario, Misa de los Gozos and Rosario de San Aquilino involve much singing and music, while Dia de la Tortilla and Fiesta de Las Migas are food-centered communal picnics. Other major celebrations include Fiestas del Cristo de la Expiracion, Santa Lucia and Baile de los Inocentes, which offer more interaction and a deeper window into the local culture.
Spend Time With Mother (Nature)
- The Altiplano landscape is a series of contrasts, with tree-lined riverbanks and lush valleys coexisting near arid patches of land and a dried-out rocky lake. An abundance of trails makes it easy for hikers and mountain bikers to explore the natural surroundings, spot several varieties of fauna and soak up the atmosphere of the high-altitude plains. Other ways to explore the area include horseback and even donkey riding.
