Chite: Church and Cultural Heritage in the Sierra Nevada

If you use the landscape to orient yourself in Chite, the village lies on the Barranco de Chite, which flows down from the Sierra Nevada. One of Chite’s landscape features is the confluence of the Barranco de Chite with the Embalse de Béznar. For planning hikes, the Barranco de Chite serves as a reference point for access via Lecrín to the circular long-distance hiking trail Sulayr. The Sulayr is a 300-kilometre circular hiking trail around the Sierra Nevada, divided into 19 stages. The reference point at Chite is explicitly linked to access via Lecrín.

The landscape around Chite is therefore shaped by the interplay of a mountain stream, a reservoir, and an extensive circular hiking trail. As a named landscape feature, the Barranco de Chite connects the village with the watercourse from the Sierra Nevada and the Embalse de Béznar. The Sulayr runs in a large loop around the Sierra Nevada as a long-distance hiking trail; its 19 stages form part of a total route of 300 kilometres.

Culture

Chite is home to the parish church Iglesia parroquial de la Inmaculada, which was built in the 16th century. The timber structure of the limabordón roof of the Iglesia parroquial de la Inmaculada has seven star-decorated tie beams. The church has a rectangular floor plan, while its nave is single-aisled.

The architectural details of the Iglesia parroquial de la Inmaculada describe both its period of construction and the form of the church interior, as well as the distinctive design of the roof structure. Alongside the rectangular floor plan, this highlights the single-aisled nave and the seven star-decorated tie beams of the limabordón roof.

Castillo de Chite is considered a castle of Arab origin. On the western edge of Castillo de Chite, the remains of an approximately 80-metre-long rammed-earth wall have been preserved. The castle was strategically situated between the Barranco de Arrendate and the Río Grande and controlled the ascent into the valley.

The preserved rammed-earth wall belongs to the western edge of the castle complex. Its location between the Barranco de Arrendate and the Río Grande is also connected to the former strategic function of Castillo de Chite and its control of the ascent into the valley.

Molino de los Aguilera is a former oil mill of Moorish origin. In the Barrio Alto lies Molino de la Inquisición, which is likewise of Moorish origin and served as an oil mill.

Art and Public Life

The Residencia Artística José Guerrero provides space for artistic sculptural work in Chite as part of an artist residency. At the same time, it supports emerging artistic talent. At the beginning of the residency, the invited artists publicly present their project. Citizens from Chite and from the municipality of Lecrín are invited to this presentation.

The residency combines sculptural work with a public presentation and lectures. As part of the Residencia Artística José Guerrero, open lectures by researchers and experts on José Guerrero are also planned. The lectures are aimed at the population and educational institutions of the Comarca.

The public aspect of the residency is evident both in the presentation of the invited projects and in the lecture programme. The artists present their projects at the beginning of the residency, while researchers and experts speak about José Guerrero in open lectures. The intended audience includes the population and educational institutions of the Comarca.

Festive Day

The festival of Santos Inocentes is celebrated on 28 December.

Anyone looking for a hotel in Chite will find in the place name a direct starting point for planning their own trip; the remaining decisions are part of the individual organisation of the stay.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecrín.