THE WHITEWASHED VILLAGE OF JUVÌLES
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Hooting Owl is situated a 10 minute walk below the village of Juvìles. Juvìles is a pretty white washed village, about 1,260m above sea level, in the area of the Sierra Nevada mountains known as la Alpujarra. The surrounding countryside is protected, the Sierra Nevada National Park. The local people often keep small farms and keep mules and donkeys to work the land with. The main crop is olives, almonds and chestnuts. The village is well known for the product high quality air dried ham.
The population is approximately 180.
History
In Moorish times it was a centre of the silk industry. A fortress was established in Juviles in the 8th century, or earlier. During the Middle Ages it became a place of refuge for local people in times of civil unrest. You can visit the remains of this fortress as it is situated on hill opposite Hooting Owl. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to it.
In 913 it was conquered by Aberramán III. From the 12th to the 16th century the village served as the administrative centre of a "taha" of 12 settlements with 23 smaller hamlets associated with them.
Following the 1500 morisco rebellion, Fernando the Catholic destroyed the fortress as a measure against further revolts; its ruins can still be seen above the Hooting Owl site.
In 1572, as in other Alpujarran areas, the remaining morisco population was replaced by Christians brought from Castile.
Situation
Close by are the villages of Trevélez and Los Bérchules.