Discovering Restábal and Casa Tagomago
Casa Tagomago in Restábal
Welcome to Restábal. Arriving after a long journey and you’re thinking about relaxing. Can’t wait to get to Casa Tagomago. A short walk takes you from your car down through the pretty, narrow streets to the Barrio Bajo or Lower Neighbourhood. And there it is, tucked away down a pedestrian street. Those views seem amazing!
Walk down Calle Iglesia to Casa Tagomago
Inside, you spy the view from the sitting-room window. Perhaps it’s even better outside from the patio. Wow, let’s not go anywhere, let’s stay and chill out here by the small pool, you’re thinking. Well, why not? You’re on holiday after all.
The view from Casa Tagomago
“How about some food?” someone suggests. You’ve read there are small shops in the village and a bar or two, as well as restaurants. Maybe you should explore a bit first. A drink on this patio afterwards would be most pleasant.
Shopping in the Village
Turn left at the top of the pedestrian street into the Calle Real which leads you upwards towards the centre of Restábal. Soon you spy a bar, Bar Jovi with a restaurant downstairs, the Despensa del Valle on Calle Santa Ana. This looks great. And there’s Supermercado Maria Jesus at the end of the street. You should get what you need there. The friendly owners are delighted to meet you, making you feel really at home. The selection is good, all the basics. When you leave, you find another supermarket on the next corner. Let’s pop in to find out what they have. Another friendly welcome and plenty to choose from. It might not be necessary to move from Restábal much after all.
A friendly welcome in the village supermarkets
Back at the house out on the patio, it’s time to drink the cool beer you bought. The first evening relaxing with some local food and drink. What will tomorrow bring?
Breakfast on the patio at Casa Tagomago
Breakfast on the patio, with freshly baked bread from the bakery you passed on your way into the village yesterday. Just 160 metres down the street. So what to do today? You’re all booked for the Alhambra in Granada in 2 days’ time, so some local exploring seems like a good plan.
The Old Lonja - Fish Market - and the Church
First, discover more of Restábal and its surroundings. Take a photo of that wonderful edifice you passed so near the house last evening. What is it? It’s called La Lonja and was a fish market built in the 1930s, where fishermen on their way from the coast to Granada stopped to sell the fish to the restabeñas. During its recent restoration, vestiges of the ancient village fountain came to light, probably dating from 18th century. Look closely, you‘ll see the remains of the spouts. These days, the only fountain in Restábal is down the hill near Casa Tagomago.
The Lonja, old fish market near Casa Tagomago
Walk up hill again along Calle Iglesia, the church might be open. Dedicated to San Cristobal (St. Christopher), built in the Mudejar style, it dates from 1501 but the Moriscos burnt it to the ground during the uprising of 1568. In 1965, fire once more destroyed it and the building you see today is the result of the restoration work.
The Upper Neighbourhood of Restábal
Next, cross the main road with the Town Hall to your left, stroll up Calle San Cristobal, through the upper neighbourhood or barrio alto. This brings you out onto the footpath that leads to Saleres. A picturesque walk of about 30 minutes.
If you turn back towards Restábal, turning right through the narrow streets, you’ll come to the Marquesina Restaurant, just next to the new school. A different eatery to the Despensa del Valle, also using local produce but with a slightly more modern twist. Both are family run and highly recommended.
Fennel stew and orange salad at Despensa del Valle, typical Lecrín Valley dishes
Climb Up to the Cerro del Calvario and the Hermitage
Walking straight past the new senior citizen’s day centre and the children’s playground, you’ll come to an extremely steep hill leading up to your right. Take a deep breath and start the climb up to the viewpoint Mirador Cerro del Calvario (Calvary), really well named, you’ll see why when you reach the top! If you’ve any breath left, it’ll be taken away when you see the views from here!
The shrine to the Virgin de Fatima
What’s this quaint little building to your right? A church? It’s a hermitage, no hermit. You’ll see several of these tiny shrines all over the Lecrín Valley. This one, Ermita del Cerro, is in honour of the Virgin of Fatima or, as known locally, Virgen del Cerro. Every year, the young people take their virgin down to the church in Restábal. She waits there for a week until the Sunday after 13th May, to return in Romeria, (pilgrimage) to her hermitage on the hill. A day of rejoicing and fiesta, one of the most popular fiestas in the Valley.
Bringing the virgin down from her shrine to Restábal
The Castle of Restábal
If you’re feeling strong enough, you could take the track down behind the Cerro to your right and continue straight on and up to the castle of Restábal. Not easy to find, but worth the effort for even more spectacular views over the Valley. The ruins of an ancient Moorish lookout point, it connected with others around the Valley. Unfortunately, the only visible remains are part of the underground water cistern and small pieces of ramparts, but it’s still interesting.
Mirador del "Guitarro"
Back again at the bottom of the slope into the village, turn right and make your way down towards Casa Tagomago past the Coviran supermarket. Go down the steps on the right, back to the Calle Real. You’ll come across a small, cobbled viewpoint: the Mirador de los Guitarros. Of recent creation, it takes the place of the ruined house once belonging to Juan Ortega, nicknamed “el guitarro”. I haven’t been able to find out if Juan played the guitar or he made them. It’s possible he had nothing to do with the instrument. Local nicknames often date back generations or were only understood by the villagers of that time!
Plaza del "Guitarro" near Casa Tagomago
From here you are just a minute away from Casa Tagomago. Time for more relaxing on the patio with a sundowner in hand.
For your first day, you’ve done well. It looks as though there’s lots to see around Restábal too. A walk by the river to the lake certainly seems top of the list. Tomorrow’s another day.
Casa Tagomago sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms, has 2 living areas, 2 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a patio with small pool and a roof terrace.
Visit our website for more details: www.casatagomago.com
Post and photos by Susan at Casa Tagomago for Turismo Valle de Lecrín
For the best holiday in the Lecrín Valley, remember that on the Lecrín Valley Tourism website you can book your accommodation, your activities or your restaurant directly with the owners. Who better to help you plan everything? And without any commissions!
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