Escoznar combines a long local history with a clear geographical setting. Its history includes a Muslim-influenced town plan, the Roman settlement of El Tesorillo, and religious and community history. When planning your trip, you can therefore take into account both the landscape and specific historical periods.
Landscape and historical roots
The town lies at the foot of the Montes Occidentales and borders the Vega de Granada. Escoznar’s town plan and origins are Muslim; its history dates back to the Arab period. Escoznar belonged to the territory of Íllora. The town’s name is also thought to derive from the Arabic Išquẓnar. In the 14th century, Ibn al-Jaṭīb mentioned Escoznar as one of the earlier Alquerías. These connections offer different ways to place the town in its geographical and historical context.
El Tesorillo and Roman olive oil production
Six settlement and land-use phases have been identified at the archaeological site of El Tesorillo de Escóznar, spanning from prehistory to the present day. The classification of the Roman settlement as pars fructuaria is significant: this was the term for the area used to process and transform produce within an early imperial villa. This period spans the 1st to the 3rd century AD. The villa complex comprised three buildings for producing and storing olive oil. While the six phases indicate the long time span, the buildings show a specific use within the Roman history of the site.
Church, school and community life
The parish is named Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís-Escóznar-Obéilar. The history of schooling also extends beyond the town: the schools of Granada, Escoznar and Asquerosa remained open until the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. In 1879, Alhama visited Escoznar for the first time; he had built a church and a school there. These historical connections complement the archaeological history with religious and educational themes.
For 2024, the patron saint festivities in honour of Saint Francis were scheduled for the fourth weekend; the programme ran from 29 August to 1 September. If you are planning to attend a future edition, check the dates for that year.
In 2019, the Villa de Escóznar race passed through notable locations and the peri-urban area of Escóznar, continued into neighbouring Obéilar, and followed roads through the towns and countryside. The event was a joint project by the local neighbourhood association and C.D. Kilometroypico. Its aim was to promote sport among young people from Escoznar and the neighbouring towns of Valderrubio, Obéilar and Láchar. The route and project describe a past event, not a current offering.
Getting there and staying
Bus route 335 is listed with services on the Granada – Fuente Vaqueros – Valderrubio – Escóznar – Obéilar section and includes three routes. Check the current timetable before travelling. If you are looking for a holiday rental, start by choosing your preferred dates: a stay around the patron saint festivities should be planned around the dates of that year’s edition; if you are travelling by bus, include the timetable in your plans.
Discover more destinations: Pinos Genil, Otívar, Ugíjar, Alfornón, Cenes De La Vega, El Ventorrillo, Juviles, Brácana
For the main travel overview: Granada.
