GOR
Written by Marta Palomo Hermoso and translated by Tanya Shew
Gor is found to conserve the oldest bullfighting tradition of the entire country, as per the documentation consulted, and the encierros (bull running through the streets of the village) and the novilladas (bullfights with young bulls) are very well known and followed here.
What is still unknown is the meaning and origin of its name, even though there are archaeological remains that place the creation of this town in the Neanderthal Era.
The village and its suburban areas, Las Juntas, Las Viñas, Cenascuras, Los Balcones, La Rambla Valdiquín, Los corrales, El Royo Serval and La Estación de Gorafe, all form part of a unique setting that will delight all visitors. These little villages are beautifully dotted around the mountain range and it can be quite interesting to discover them while on a drive around the area. Something that also stands out here for their uniqueness are the traditional cave houses, intermingled with standard type of buildings.
WHAT TO SEE OR DO
The most important and renowned archaeological site is called Las Angosturas, located close to Cortijo Colorao. Here is where many remains of past civilisation have been discovered, like a burial site dating back over 2000 years.
Back in town, several monuments are well worth visiting if you are in the area: The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación, built on the remains of an old mosque in the 16th Century, subsequently renovated a century later, or the public washrooms, located at the Siete Caños Fountain. These washrooms are in good condition but are not used nowadays. The water it receives comes from a fresh water spring from the nearby mountains.
A palace/castle was built at the orders of the Dukes of Gor back in the 16th Century. The exteriors remain in place and have now been reconverted to house the bullring.
There are many activities and excursions in the surrounding areas, especially if trekking takes your fancy. The Via Augusta, which was a Roman road crossing the entire former Hispania Province, from Cadiz in the south to Coll de Panissars in the north, passed through this town and there is still a passable section.
HANDICRAFTS
The handicrafts at Gor are centred on esparto grass.
GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy in Gor is based on pork, lamb and local traditional homemade bread baked in a wooden burning stove. Flour is a main ingredient in most dishes, like migas con patatas, gurupina or las gachas de Gor. A typical dish to try here at Gor is La Zalamandroña, made with cod, tomatoes and dried peppers, andrajos con liebre [wild hare], lomo en orza [a delicious pork dish] and the delicious homemade cold cuts. For those who like wine, Gor manufactures a local wine called Pitraque. Be careful not to drink too much as delicious as it may be, it does get to your head quite fast!
As mentioned, there are several suburban areas and thanks to the way the roads have been designed, you pass through nearly all of them on your way through. The good thing is that most of these areas have typical roadside restaurants where you can stop and try these traditional dishes.
FESTIVALS
The local holidays in Gor are held in August, in honour of San Cayetano. The festivities traditionally start on the 6th of August and continue until the 10th, which is when the Romería de San Lorenzo is held (a religious pilgrimage).
The Moors and Christians festivities are also quite well known in Las Juntas.
LOCATION
Gor is located at about 85 kilometres from the city of Granada. To get to Gor from Granada, take the A-44 road towards Malaga and then the A-92 until you reach the turn off for the local road GR-SE-10, which leads straight to the village. You can’t miss it!
