The ‘ghost village’ El Acebuchal is located in the middle of the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and the Alhama Natural Park, between Frigiliana and Competa. The history of El Acebuchal is quite complicated. The village, founded in the 17th century, is located on a mule route between Granada and Malaga. It has always been a stopover and resting place for traders. ‘Ghost Village’ Acebuchal remained abandoned until 1998. Like many villages in the area, Frigiliana and Acebuchal suffered during the Spanish Civil War. Frigiliana was declared republican in 1936. The fascists soon recaptured El Acebuchal in 1937 and took ‘revenge’ on anyone suspected of being a ‘communist’.

The executions and the reign of terror drove the villagers to the surrounding mountains, where they formed the left-wing guerrilla movement ‘Marquis’.
At the end of the civil war in 1939, General Franco focused on clearing out guerrilla movements. The ‘Marquis’ was high on his list.
It was the beginning of a bloody war of resistance against the Guardia Civil, which lasted until 1952! Frigiliana and Acebuchal were the center of the firing line.
In 1948, the residents of Acebuchal (about 200 people) were forced to leave their homes. The village was long suspected of providing shelter and food to the guerrillas.

In 1998 and after 49 years of neglect and mysteries, the García Sánchez family and the rest of the owners decided to restore the village.
Without electricity, water and all the comforts we have today, the houses and streets were rebuilt to achieve the result of today’s Acebuchal.
His family currently runs the restaurant he founded, ‘El Acebuchal’. The house specialty is wild boar, rabbit, deer, duck and lamb and the bread they bake in a wood oven is widely praised and tastes delicious.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Tip; take cash with you.

https://genieteninandalusie.nl/witte-dorpen-el-acebuchal/< /a>