Rubite

The aroma of freshly baked bread welcomes the visitor to Rubite. In olden times, this was a dangerous region due to the frequent attacks by Turkish and Berber pirates Nowadays, however, all is peace and tranquility around Rubite, the southern point of access into the Alpujarra. 

Rubite itself is 800 m (2600 feet) above sea level, and is a mountain village offering the visitor the attractions of its rural setting, with many possibilities for recreation and leisure. Accommodation is available in houses and country cottages.

Its attractive situation, at just 15 minutes from the beach, means that the best of two worlds can be enjoyed: the sea and the mountains. You can stroll through Rubite's charming streets, go on excursions, walk in the hills, go horse riding and enjoy natural unspoiled surroundings. Come and see for yourself!

In these Contraviesa mountains, the Berber peasants cultivated fields which were irrigated with water from springs and fountains laboriously created by means of excavation, canalisation and reservoirs. Reminders of this period can still be seen, in the form of various aljibes (fountains), the most impressive being the one at Loma del Aljibe where there is a viewpoint offering spectacular vistas over the Sierra Nevada and the Mediterranean. 

After the Christian reconquest, the forced conversion of the Moorish population led to a significant proportion of them fleeing to North Africa. The region was subsequently repopulated by immigrants from other parts of the peninsula, and by the 18th century, enjoyed economic prosperity, largely thanks to the cultivation of grapes for winemaking.

The inhabitants of Rubite are traditionally called 'Los Buenos' (the Good), after an event that occurred in the early 19th century. In 1810, during the occupation of Spain by Napoleon's troops, a patrolling troop of invaders were surprised by members of the Bueno family on their land. In the resulting hostilities, all the French were killed, a feat which rapidly became a local legend. Thus, the Buenos were cited as an example of patriotism and valour for many years to come.