Filambres Range

The Sierra de los Filabres formed part of the mountain country of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. Its villages submitted to the Catholic Monarchs during the conquests of 1489. The later conversion of the Muslim population created Morisco communities whose land, customs and religious life came under increasing pressure. The uprising of 1568–1570 and the removal of the Moriscos transformed this inhabited mountain landscape.

Royal confiscation of Morisco property in 1571 was followed by surveys and redistribution to incoming Christian settlers. The work required boundaries to be identified and fields, houses and other assets assembled into allotments. Yet the end of organised revolt did not bring immediate security. Morisco bands remained in the mountains, including García el Caizar's followers in the Filabres. Armed patrols were needed to protect roads and the new settlers. Resettlement therefore proceeded amid displacement, contested property and continuing violence.