Our apartment in velez

Situated at the foot of the Sierra de Lugar mountain, Velez de Benaudalla is well placed - just ten minutes from the coast, 40 minutes from Granada city and nestled within the mountains which begin the Sierra Nevada range. Although still a typically Spanish town in recent years Vélez De Benaudalla has become popular with expatriates for holiday homes at affordable prices.

Foremost among Velez´s sights is the 15th Century castle. Restored in 1992 by the town´s Ayuntamiento (town hall) the castle boasts Arab foundations and walls which were then added to by subsequent rulers. Today the walls house the town´s historical society. Also of interest is the Nazari Garden, built by the Moors along the same lines as the world famous Alhambra in Granada, with an emphasis on water features, grottos, beautiful flowers and clipped hedges. In contrast Velez de Benaudalla´s church is relatively modern, dating from the 18th Century. Designed by Ventura Rodríguez the construction of La Iglesia del Rosario followed the destruction of the second wooden church in the 17th Century and the first church which was converted from a Moorish temple after the Christian conquest.

Historically Vélez De Benaudalla first came to prominence under the Moors who recognised its position on the banks of the River Guadelfeo, at the base of the sierra de Lújar, as ideal for agriculture owing to the abundant waters of the river and fertile lands. Moorish rule came to an end in the town in the 15th Century when Vélez De Benaudalla was taken by the Catholic kings in their conquest of southern Spain. Following the conquest King Juan of Ulloa set about repopulating the town and encouraging the growth of agriculture and industry. More recently Vélez De Benaudalla has prospered once again due to its climate which is ideal for cultivating tropical fruits and flowers and the town´s expertise in making cakes and pastries, a legacy of its Moorish heritage. In particular its rolls and roscos – large round donut shaped breads – are famous amongst bakers.