If you are looking for peace and quiet, rural tourism is the best option in Bubión, a small town in Granada on the edge of the Barranco de Poqueira.
This place is known as the Alpujarras of Granada, where the Sierra Nevada and its rugged peaks are the backdrop.
Did you know that its name means ``Land of Oxen''? It is believed that it was the Romans who gave it this name, as several remains of this civilization have been found, although it is with the Arabs that these lands became more important.
An example of this is the Moorish architecture that has become a representative icon, where the steep streets are flanked by white houses with flat slate roofs, which adapt perfectly to the terrain, and the tinaos, a kind of arcade, which are unique to this type of architecture.
What do you have to see in Bubión? We should start by saying that, together with Capileira and Pampaneira, two villages belonging to the municipality, that are a Historic-Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest, in order to preserve this characteristic architecture.
Its most emblematic monument is the Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, which was originally a mosque. After several tragic events in which it was partially destroyed, it was rebuilt in the 16th century in a Mudejar style, where, of course, the white façade blends in with the rest of the village.
Another point of interest is the Ermita de San Sebastián, which for a long time was just ruins, but in 2006 it was restored respecting its original structure.
If there is one thing not lacking in Bubiónin, it´s fountains. You will find them in every corner without expecting it, and being in Sierra Nevada, during the thaw, springs gush everywhere.
And if you want to know first-hand what life was like in the Alpujarra and what its customs and traditions were like, the place to go is the Alpujarra House Museum, practically intact since the 16th century and decorated with typical old furniture, together with utensils and tools used in the daily life of the inhabitants.
After all that walking, do you want to stop and get your strength back? Well, if there's one thing that's worth your while, it's its gastronomy. Specialties such as migas (fried breadcrumbs), the alpujarreño dish, the asadura aliñá (cured pork offal) or the puchero de hinojos (fennel stew) form part of the delicious traditional cuisine.
The desserts, many of them of Arabic heritage, are no less, the torta de lata, the arroz con leche, the roscos fritos or the papos viejos will sweeten your mouth with their syrupy flavours.
Are you curious about what it's like to live in a place like this? Although traditions such as the making of "jarapas" still survive, nowadays the main livelihood of its people is rural tourism, as Bubión has become a tourist destination for those seeking a haven of peace for their holidays in a totally rural environment.
