Architecture of the Alpujarra

The architecture of the Alpujarra is characterised by its white washed houses and flat roofs. The villages are reminiscent of the Berber settlements in the Atlas mountains in Morocco. It has been conjectured that it were precisely these Berber tribes that colonized the Alpujarra after aiding the Arab conquest of Spain in the 8th century. What is certain is that the muslim inhabitants of Granada lived here for decades after the fall of the Nazrid emirate in 1492, some up until their expulsion in 1609.

The village of Juviles with typical Alpujarra architecture

These roofs are called ‘terraos ' (terrados, in Castilian Spanish). They have a blue-gray color resulting from waterproofing using a clay or special earth called láuna. Another typical element are the chimneys which stand out with a truncated conical shape of 0.75 to 1.50 m. high, with a hat like top made with a slate flake covered with a stone.

The roofs are used for socializing with the neighbors or to dry different agricultural products: figs, tomatoes, grapes, etc. In towns built on very steep slopes the terraces are often accessible from the street.

The most common form of construction is a slab of straight wooden beams made from the trees available: ash, oak, chestnut, poplar, etc., with a cane framework woven with esparto grass and a network of thinner branches, called alfanjías or alfarjías on top. This is the base. In high mountain areas and places where it is abundant, it is common to replace the cane with slivers of slate placed directly on the wood.

Because of the humidity of the láuna a plant layer consisting of oleander, genisteae, other parts of the cane and layers of earth were put in between to prevent rotting. This is called the chasca or malhecho.

In more recent times some builders chose plastic to replace the chasca. Although this does prevent the humidity of the láuna to affect the cane framework and wooden beams, it hinders the natural ventilation that is also needed to conserve them. Moreover, the use of plastic instead of the strong layers of earth and branches, puts an end to the habit of neighbors sitting on their rooftops during sunsets.

On the edge of the ‘terraos’, where they lean on the walls of the house, you find a row of slivers of slate, called ‘beril’, that guides rain water of the roofing. They are kept in place by stones on top called ‘castigadero’. The ‘terraos’ typically have a slope of between 2 to 5 percent. A lower inclination could cause water to puddle and eventually penetrate the roof, while a higher slope could advance creeping of the soil and cause the 'launa' to thin. In any case, it is necessary to restore the roofs periodically, every 1-2 years up to 5 or more, depending on the rainfall. This leads to a thickening of the ‘terrao’, ranging from 5 to 10 centimeters initially, to more than half a meter after successive restorations.

The creation of the 'terrao' and its periodic restorations must be carried out coinciding with the waning moon in August. Moisture levels are lower during the waning phase. This prevents weeds from growing which can cause the láuna to crack.

Inside, to protect the cane and give it a more decorative appearance, ceilings are often whitewashed or, exceptionally, a layer of plaster is applied, in which case it is called ‘entacado’.