The ‘Street of Forgiveness’, Comares: a journey with Legajos Sueltos into the Mudejar Heart

There are corners of Andalusia that hold the silence of centuries. Comares, the famed "Balcony of the Axarquía" that seems to cling to the edge of an abyss, is renowned for its infinite views and its labyrinthine Moorish streets. However, there is one small lane with a name that stops travellers in their tracks: Calle del Perdón (the Street of Forgiveness). What occurred here to deserve such a name? Today, we delve into a pivotal chapter of our history where faith, survival, and identity are deeply intertwined with Legajos Sueltos.

The echo of thirty bell tolls

To understand the origin of this street, we must travel back to the year 1500. Following the christian conquest, the Catholic Monarchs decreed the forced conversion of the Muslim population. In Comares, tradition tells of thirty families who accepted baptism in a public ceremony held precisely in this street.

The fascinating part is that this event did not simply fade into history books; it remains alive every Sunday. If you visit the village and listen closely after High Mass, you will hear thirty special bell tolls. This is a perpetual tribute to those thirty families who, overnight, were forced to change their names from Mohamed or Fatima to Juan or María.

A double life: secrets behind the walls

But was the conversion sincere? This is where the story becomes truly intriguing. Many of these "New Christians" practiced taqiyya, a principle that allows the concealment of one's faith in times of persecution. While they performed Christian rites in public to avoid fines or punishment, within the intimacy of their homes, they remained tethered to their traditions, their language (imāla), and their forbidden prayers.

This tension, coupled with fiscal and cultural pressure, eventually reached a breaking point during the Rebellion of the Alpujarras. The inhabitants of Comares, who initially tried to maintain a peaceful coexistence, were caught up in the conflict, eventually fleeing to mountain strongholds like the Fort of Frigiliana to escape reprisals.

Why you should visit ‘Calle del Perdón’

Walking down this street today is not just about enjoying the whitewashed architecture of the Axarquía; it is a walk through the vestiges of cultural resistance. It is about imagining the whispers of those families and feeling the weight of a history that defines who we are. Comares is not merely a viewpoint; it is an open book carved in stone and lime.

If you are passionate about history and want to learn more about the border raids, the 15th-century demographic crisis, and the tragic fate of these communities at the Battle of Frigiliana read the full article here.