|  Alfarnatejo
Click
here to request info about property for sale in Spain Alfarnatejo
Although there are other villages in the province of Málaga
at a higher elevation, the first sensation the visitor has as he approaches
this place is that he is entering the realm of the eagles. Near the
village, the road opens up and gives access to a small depression
over which spreads the urban district of this picturesque village,
but the presence of the mountains continues to deliver a strong visual
impact. The field of view is shut off in the direction of
Antequera by Pico Chamizo (1,637 metres), while in the distance
the Sierra del Rey constitutes another formidable barrier in the south.
For more information about property for sale in Spain in or near Alfarnatejo
please contact us.
This special geography is responsible for generous rainfalls-generous
for southern lands, at least- and therefore greenery is so abundant
in the Alfarnatejo landscape that it is not strange that some call
this setting the “Pyrenees of the South”.
Its proximity to the neighbouring locality of Alfarnate,
which has historically been the natural pass between the provinces
of Málaga and Granada, favoured the establishment of human
settlements at a very early date in this region, as is shown by archaeological
relics from the Neolithic age discovered in the gorge of the River
Sabar. Domestic tools of some 5,000 years of age have also been found
at the Gómer ravine.
There are indications that during the era of the Muslim domination
there was a castle, that of Sabar, around which a farming community
formed, that in the opinion of some historians may be the origin of
Alfarnatejo.
The scant documentation does not provide sufficient data on the march
of history in this village in particular, but it must have been the
stage for troop movements during the Middle Ages. It was finally and
completely separated from Alfarnate-this much is documented-in the
eighteenth century. And just as in Alfarnate and Periana,
guerrillas from the Spanish
Civil war continued to hide out in the mountains of these municipalities
until well into the nineteen fifties.
Fiestas
The Candelaria celebration on 2 February opens the festive calendar
in Alfarnatejo. In its form, this fiesta is very similar to others
that are held on the same day in La Axarquía, and it basically
consists of a ritual based around fire.
The most distinctive point about this locality’s Semana Santa
(Holy Week) is what is popularly called the “cencerrada”
(“ringing of the cowbells”), which takes place on Easter
Saturday. After the first peals of the church bells, the young people
take to the streets armed with ringing cowbells with which they travel
through the streets creating a merry din.
Pilgrimages are held on 15 April, the day of San Marcos, and 15 May,
the day of San Isidro, but it is on 29 September, the day of San Miguel
and of Cristo de la Cabrilla, that the village hosts its fiestas par
excellence. The entertainment, cultural and sporting activities fit
into a busy programme in which the entire village participates, since
there are options for all ages and all tastes. As regards religion,
the procession that is held is peculiar in that, instead of taking
a figure of the saint into the streets, what is borne in the procession
is a large canvas with the image to which the villagers profess great
devotion.
For a few years now on the first Saturday of August, there has been
a very well-attended Gazpacho Festival in honour of this traditional
dish par excellence of this locality.
Food
Considering that the best chickpeas in all the province of
Málaga are cultivated in Alfarnatejo, it is no surprise that
this village’s most recognised dish, apart from the aforementioned
gazpacho, is a garbanzo stew.
Sopa cachorreña (soup made with bitter oranges, a very widespread
dish in all the province of Málaga) can be a good first course,
to be followed by choto al ajillo (kid with garlic) or migas (a dish
made of fried bread crumbs), or else an ensalada con hierbabuena y
ajos (mint and garlic salad), ensalada de berros (watercress salad),
or morrete de setas (mushrooms), and for dessert some exquisite roscos
de San Marcos (a spiral pastry).
How to get there:
The most advisable route to Alfarnatejo is from the city of Málaga
by the A-45 (N-331). After passing through Casabermeja,
continue towards Colmenar on the A-356,
and 10 kilometres farther along go onto the A-6118. After six kilometres
take the MA-157, which leads straight to Alfarnatejo. The route to
Alfarnate is also good for getting
to Alfarnatejo. The distance between the two towns is less than five
kilometres.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Pósito, 2 (29194). Telephone 952 759 286;
Fax: 952 759360.
|
