The Village of Cómpeta
Cómpeta has a population of 3,000 inhabitants and is located in the Axarquía region, in the foothills of the Almijara mountains, near the Natural Park. The village is shaped by its narrow, winding streets and white houses with balconies filled with flowers.
Although there are no written documents about the origins of Cómpeta, it is believed that it is a Roman village. According to its etymology, “competa” could come from the Latin word Compita-Orum, which means “crossroads”… And Cómpeta is precisely the meeting point of two old paths: on the one hand, the path that links La Alpujarra mountains to the Axarquía mountain range and, on the other hand, the path that links the coast to Granada.
Cómpeta, along with other villages of the region, such as Savalonga, Nerja or Torrox, is a must visit for tourists interested in the so-called Route of the wine. Its wines, made of Muscat grapes, are very well-known both nationally and internationally, and have their own celebration: the Night of the wine.
The gastronomy of Cómpeta includes: potaje de hinojos (stew of fennel), migas (fried breadcrumbs), potaje de Semana Santa (Easter hot pot), olive oil, honey and raisins.
Celebrations
Night of the wine: it is one of the most important summer events in Cómpeta. Traditionally, every 15th of August, people from the village said goodbye to their families in the Almijarra square before going to the country estates to pick the grape harvest. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe how the Muscat wine used to be made in the past and taste it while enjoying the wide range of activities developed in the village.
Bonfire night: on September the 7th, the hillsides light up with bonfires and the sound of conch shells as people celebrate in their country houses.
The fair (23-25th of July): it celebrates the patron saint of Cómpeta, Saint Sebastian, with live performances and dancing every night. The last day there is a pilgrimage around the village.
The day of the Cross: the 3rd of May, people create a cross from different coloured carnations and, after a few hours of dancing, traditional foods and games, the cross is taken up to the ‘Cross on the Mountain’.
Easter Week: Good Friday begins with the ‘Via Crucis’, a men-only procession, which takes place at seven in the morning and where an image of Christ Crucified is carried around the village.
The last procession of the evening is of ‘La Soledad’ (Solitude) which is for women and only married men are allowed to carry her image around the village.