OTÍVAR
Otívar is a small village of about 1,000 residents located on the ancient and scenic mountain road connecting Almuñécar with Granada, called Sospiro de los Moros or "sigh of the Moors", named after the exit route of the ruling Muslim or Moorish leader Boabdil after the final conquest of Spain by the Christians in 1492. Otivar is situated in the Sierra del Chaparral, located between the Sierra de Los Guajares and Almijara mountain ranges. Located in the southern end of the majestic Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama mountain range (or Almijara), Otivar is only 20 minutes from the coast and 10 minutes from another similar but smaller town, Jete. It is divided by the Rio Verde ("green river") and sits on the Bodijar Ravine.
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There are two main attractions to this village located between the Baja Alpujarra and the Costa Tropical: its natural environment, ideal for outdoor sports; and its village centre, in typical andaluz style with many interesting buildings. For this reason, Otívar has become a popular destination.
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HISTORY
Some say that the origins of this village lie in the route taken by fishermen from Almuñecar to Granada, and that calle Venta is where the merchants rested, and calle Cargadero is where the goods were unloaded from the pack animals. Whether this is true or not, the village centre has a typically Arab feel, with narrow, winding streets, and whitewashed houses with balconies and windows adorned with flowers.
GASTRONOMY
CELEBRATIONS
Otívar has three main celebrations: the patron saint's festival in honour of the Virgen de la Inmaculada on 6 - 9 December; el día de San José; and Noche de San Juan, which takes place on the night of 24 June.
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