Bérchules Explained

Bérchules
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Spain
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Spain
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Spain
Subdivision Type1:Autonomous community
Subdivision Name1:Andalusia
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Granada
Subdivision Type3:Comarca
Subdivision Name3:Alpujarra Granadina
Subdivision Type4:Judicial district
Subdivision Name4:Órgiva
Coordinates:36.9667°N -14°W
Elevation M:1319
Area Total Km2:69
Population Demonym:Berchulero, ra
Population Density Km2:auto
Blank Name Sec1:Official language(s)
Timezone:CET
Utc Offset:+1
Timezone Dst:CEST
Utc Offset Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:18451
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Leader Title:Alcalde
Leader Name:Ricardo Zapata Toro (2007)
Leader Party:PSOE

Bérchules is a village and municipality in the central Alpujarra, in the province of Granada in Spain. The origins of the village are Arab. There are two villages in the municipality, Bérchules (36° 58' north and 3° 11' east, elevation 1350 metres), and Alcútar (36° 58' north and 3° 11' east, elevation 1250 metres). The villages are on the road, Órgiva-Trevélez-Ugíjar, and their population is estimated at 900 and 300 respectively.

The river Grande de Los Bérchules flows past the village on its course from the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean at Motril. En route it becomes renamed Rio "Gualdalfeo" and is the main river in the Alpujarra. Like the surrounding area, in general the present population has declined since the mid 20th century when the population was probably nearer to 5,000 inhabitants. Many emigrated to Germany, Switzerland, France, Brazil, Argentina, and to the coastal area of Almería, El Ejido etc.

The traditional agricultural was based on tomatoes, almonds and cattle and continues as the main industry of the village with tourism having an increasing economic importance. Since 2000 an influx of relatively affluent immigrants from northern Europe have also had an effect on the local economy.

Most tourists visit for the hill walking as the village is situated on the GR7 long distance footpath. Local attractions include the "fuente agua agria" water with a high iron content which is purported to have medicinal properties. Notable fiestas include New Year's Eve in August (First Saturday of August), the Festival of San Marcos, with processions of agricultural animals (25 April) and Festival of San Pantaleon, patron saint of Bérchules (27 July), and the Festival of Santo Cristo in Alcútar (9 August).

Notable people from this village include Virginia Tovar Martín.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Fernández Talaya . María Teresa . Cayetano Martín . María del Carmen . Lopezosa Aparicio . Concepción . 2013 . Virginia Tovar Martín: In Memoriam . Anales del Instituto de Estudios Madrileños . es . 53 . 415-418 . 0584-6374.