Frailes
Fries is a small municipality in the province of Jaén, located to the south and limited to the province of Granada. It was a place of recreation for its wealth in waters and its nostalgic spa.
Located half the hill and left by the rivers Chorrillo and Soto Redondo, its streets are steep and zigzagueante with small slopes that are used as family gardens. When you walk through your streets, you have the feeling of walking on agricultural land as well as urbanized.
The water is born in its own heart and seems to circulate everywhere in sources, venerations and springs, through streams and streams. So much so, that we can say that water is the essence of Friars.
Its population is 1775 "friars" which are distributed by a large urban town, due to the inseparable binomial of the house-garden. The silence of the people is only broken by the sound of the bells of their parish or of one of their hermitage. No doubt a place with a special charm.
Tourist area: Sierra Sur and Campiña de Jaén
Distance to the capital (km): 80
Altitude over sea level (m): 780
Extension (km ²): Number 40
Population: 1,575
Name: Friars
Postal code: 23690
From its artistic heritage we highlight:
- The parish church of Saint Lucia. Built in the 16th century on the remains of an ancient hermitage, with the passage of time will be suffering expansion of the ship to accommodate the growing number of friars. In the last reform carried out at the end of the last century, a magnificent craftsman was incorporated in Granada.
- The House of the Dean of Mudarra. Built in the late 20th century of the last century, it has a sober three-storey façade, highlighting the beautiful grating of the first floor balconies.
- Casa de José Escribano. It is located a few meters from the Dean de Mudarra, and it is from the same time. The glare with a balustrade and pilastras with floral motifs stands out.
- Calvary hermitage. Located in the highest part of the city centre, it is reached by a winding road excavated on the hill side, between oaks and almonds.
- Hermitage of San Antonio. It is the largest hermitage in which the cult is most active. Its outer building is topped by a swordsman with a bell that sounds every time a devotee enters or leaves the hermitage. The image of St. Anthony with the Child Jesus on his hand is the hermitage.
- Hermitage of San Pedro. Located in the Era de Mecedero, it is the last building in the village, following the road to Valdepeñas de Jaén. It is a very small hermitage, as it is a room that a neighbor gave to the worship of the Holy. Press the inside the image of the hermitage holder.
The privileged climate of Fries, with very fresh summers, and water running everywhere, invites you to enjoy nature in that unique space.
The peak ofLa Martinawith its 1552 meters, it is the highest point of the saw to which it gives its name. Many hiking and cycling routes run along their slopes for those who want to enjoy these areas.
As we go up, the olive trees in the lower part are giving way to shrubs, complaints and oaks. The slopes of this saw are an ideal hunting place just 5 km away. of the city centre.
The Fountain of the Satin, At 1100 meters high, it is the ideal place to view the orography of the area and have contact with Mediterranean vegetation. Here the water goes to buckles, to refresh visitors or to follow the way to the Genil.
It's interesting to visit what the natives callThe Tagus, a number of orchards formed on limestone rocks by the effect of erosion, which in the past the inhabitants used as housing.
Surround the houses there is a set ofvegas, humid and fertile lowlands where the best fruits and vegetables are given.
The stage of the Friars' festivities is marked by the seasons of the year and by the Christian liturgy. These would be the main festivities of the town:
- Holy Week: The representation of the "Easter Steps" by the neighbors is a very rooted custom in the town since the 17th century. Attached in costumes of the time of Jesus Christ are the different scenes of the Passion.
- Corpus Christi: Since 1779, Fries has had a fellowship of the Holy Sacrament, and in recent years the feast is having a special splendor. That day, the streets through which custody passes are carefully adorned by the neighbors of the village.
- San Antonio: On June 13, after celebrating Mass in his hermitage, the image is processed through the streets of his own neighborhood.
- San Pedro: It is the local patron party. On June 29, after the Mass, the image is processed and a verbena is held, where boys and big men dance in crowded movements.
- August party: The first week of August, the town was dressed as a gala to celebrate its fair with activities for all ages: pasacalles, popular marathon, horse-ribbon racing, vegetable competition, and dances until the morning.
- Wine and gastronomic day: At the end of the winter, when the wine of the harvest is already in a position to be tasted, this expected day is celebrated. Since 1997, the City Council has promoted this day the typical products of the massacre, as well as the traditional sweets that are still being produced in the bakeries of the town.
The name Fries comes from Alphthalyaswhose origin is thought to be not Arabic.
When King Alfonso XI in 1341 conquered Alcalá la Real, to which the vessel and the tower of Alfralyas belonged, these territories are incorporated into the crown of Castilla.
In the mid-16th century, the Saint Lucia hermitage was built near the first settlements. As early as 1621, the surrounding area of the hermitage was renamed "Huerta de Saint Lucia," and the population settlements were increasing.
From this date on, there are several attempts to independence of these new settlements of Alcalá la Real, although they will only come to a successful conclusion in 1836, thus starting their solo walk with the title of Villa.
During the Civil War of 1936, the town will remain faithful to the command of the Republic, which cost him the bombing of the national army, with the logical consequences of destruction, pain and death.
Today, Fries, is a town close to the 2000 inhabitants, with a wonderful climate and extraordinary beauty.
