El Valle and the Lecrin valleys cover a broad area of more than 350 square kilometres, are home to more than twelve differing village communities and yet whose overall population is a little under 5,500 inhabitants (census 2006). Popularly known as the Valley of Happiness, the area is admired as one the provinces prized and lesser known jewels. Located on the south-western slopes of the Sierra Nevada among deep ravines, rolling plains and wild mountain scenery, the valley extends from the Cerro del Caballo Mountain (3,050 metres) through gently sloping hills and gorges down to the newly built man-made dammed lake west of Beznar; and its sister the Rules dam to the south of Izbor. Generally Spring is the month that every one visiting the area remembers most; as the deep scent of orange blossoms fills the evening air. But we also have to remember that the valley is rich in the production of vines, cherry, almonds, lemon and olives too.

The re-conquest of Granada by the Catholic Kings in 1492, having defeated the reigning Moors, left the valley almost abandoned. Nevertheless, dotted throughout the valley, the Moors left in their wake many assets and monuments to their power; such as flourmills, ancient castles and simple manor houses. While since the 1980s it has been fashionable to restore some of these buildings privately, credit must also go to the new wave of Historical revisionists in Spain that have helped to finance from public funds major restoration and educational projects.

The borough of Lecrin collectively with other villages around the area form part of the Natural Park of the Sierra Nevada. The local government of Lecrin was established in 1967 with the voluntary unification of Acequias, Chite, Talara, Murchas and Mondujar and following six years later the village of Beznar. Other villages in the area include Pinos del Valle, Albunuelas, Saleres. Melegis, Conchar and Restabal came together as El Valle. Other villages to have come to be included in this area during these last few years, include Nigüelas and Izbor.

This is a fertile area where farming remains the primary occupation, a great deal of which is on ancient narrow terraces inaccessible to motorised transport. Hence it is not uncommon to find working mules either within the narrow village streets on their way to the fields; or on their return to see them homed within the local village houses that still today use the cavernous storage area below or to the side of the house as stable space for working mule and dog.

Despite the narrow streets, villages perched on hillsides, and the lack of outdoor garden space still the area attracts loyal tourists, re-locaters, artisans and visitors. For many the charm, the light, the peace and the seasonal changes add to striking and at times dramatic scenery. Seasons are defined easily within the valley; the landscape changes colour and scent to suit. January to February sees the first pinks and whites of almond blossom, following soon after by the heavy scented orange blossom filling the valley with a heady perfume through to Easter. In Spring there is a copious flowering of wild blues and purples beside the wicked red of poppies. As these subside, and the heat of summer enters, the yellow broom alerts us to the hills wilder origins as passing goats at dusk trample through wild lavender, thyme and rosemary plants forcing them to release their heady scent. In Autumn, to finish, the bulbous pomegranate fruit arrive. Traditionally the symbol of Granada, these fruits emerge in late August to September, even if their flaming red blossoms offered colour from every plant since Spring.

Encouraging the visitor’s awareness further, today many local communities, with municipal and regional grant assistance, have developed a programme for both cultural and historical awareness. As a consequence then today when exploring the villages it is not uncommon to find a plaque or raised notice telling us about Roman or Arab baths, ruined castles, old olive mills and interesting churches. Still thus far postcards of the area remain a rarity and so most visitors will record their own discoveries via mobile digicam or video. Others find inspiration to paint and draw their souvenirs … so that they present Lecrin; its culture and its inhabitants, the “happiness” they feel here. It is not so hard to appreciate why this area of Spain’s Costa Tropical seems to magnetize artists, writers, media and teaching professionals who find their muse or simply the freedom for quiet inspired reflection.