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Alozaina’s
territory extends from the Sierra Prieta range in the north to the Río
Grande valley in the south, linking the eastern watershed of the Ronda
Mountains with the River Guadalhorce valley. These are two very different
regions that give this district remarkable scenic diversity. For more information
about property for sale in Spain
in or near Alozaina please contact us.
The most spectacular spots in the municipality of Alozaina are on the slopes of the Sierra Prieta. In this region one finds La Ventanilla, which is reached by the Cuesta de Pino Alto forest trail. This trip is a feast for the eyes but it might be considered just a preparation for the sight awaiting the traveller, at the moment he looks out over the Guadalhorce valley, lying at his feet in all its splendour.
Relics in the form of hunting implements discovered in the Cueva del Algarrobo (Algarrobo Cave) indicate that the first human settlement in this region dates back to the Palaeolithic age, and gold objects have been found in a burial site from the Bronze Age. It was not until the Roman conquest of the region, however, that it could be truly said that an urbanized, and consequently at least minimally structured society existed here, notwithstanding the fact that the Iberians and Phoenicians left their mark on these lands.
In any case, the origins of the modern village date from the Muslim domination, the era of the construction of the castle of which today only a few ruins remain. The name of the village comes from the Arabic and apparently derives from the original Alhosaina, which translates approximately as “small castle”.
The activity in this locality during the Muslim
domination attracted more residents than there was room for in the small Roman
fortification so the urban complex extended its boundaries beyond it and even
a few outlying districts sprang up, as was the usual course followed by so
many other villages during those times.
Alozaina fell to the Christian troops on 21 June 1484 and did so, according
to chronicles, without offering resistance, as its residents were aware of
the harshness of the siege to which the adjacent city of Alora
had been subjected. Nevertheless, five days after the surrender of the place
and after the assassination of a Christian nobleman, King Fernando ordered
the forests to be cut in the entire region and the village to be burned, for
which reason it was uninhabited for several years. Once it had been repopulated
with long-time Christians the locality witnessed an unusual incident of history
that occurred in 1570 during the reign of Felipe II.
During the Moorish uprising in the Ronda highlands
the village was attacked while the men-folk were away working in the fields
and the women defended the village from the rebellious Moors. One woman who
distinguished herself by her courage was María Sagredo, whom the king
appointed as a lieutenant of Spanish troops, with rank and tenure.
Fiestas
The carnival is held in late February and in Alozaina it displays very distinctive
characteristics. In keeping with tradition the villagers take to the streets
armed with sacks of flour for no purpose other than dumping it on whoever
crosses their paths, which always makes for good fun.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) has its big day on
Good Friday, the day the meeting between the Nazareno (Nazarene) and the Virgen
de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) is staged. As in other places in the
province of Malaga a number of Passion passages
are acted out here by amateur actors, and end with the crucifixion of Christ
at Calvary.
The patron saint fiestas in honour of Santiago (Saint James) and Santa Ana
occur on 25 and 26 July. Fireworks, competitions, athletic contests, concerts,
a livestock fair and the processions of Santiago on 25 July and of Santa Ana
the next day are some of the events scheduled for these dates and they are
notable for their huge public attendance.
The olive oil fair comes in September, coinciding with the celebration of
the day of Dulce Nombre de María (Sweet Name of Mary), whose image
is borne by women through the streets of the village. Besides its religious
element, the fiesta consists of a complimentary sampling of fresh olives in
the village square, where there is never a lack of good music and good atmosphere
in general.
Food
Alozaina’s gastronomic tradition is especially rich, probably
due to the fact that it sits halfway between two regions (the Guadalhorce
valley and the Ronda highlands) in which the culinary
art is deeply rooted. Conejo al ajillo or conejo con tomate (rabbit, either
with garlic or tomato) is one of the most characteristic dishes in this region,
as is ajo porro frito con huevos (thick garlic soup with eggs). Gachas (a
soup made with flour and seasonings) potaje de garbanzos con bacalao y ajos
(chickpea stew with garlic and codfish), gazpacho and gazpachillo (varieties
of cold vegetable soup) and various other kinds of soups can be added on an
equal footing to the first mentioned dishes. As to pastries, we can’t
fail to mention the excellent pan de higo (fig bread) and rosquillas de miel
(spiral pastries with honey).
How to get there:
If you are coming from Malaga, take the
A-357. Immediately after Cartama take the A-355
towards Coin and then the A-366, on which the village
is located.
Tourist information:
Location, Calle Coín, 10 (29567), Telephone: 952 480 013; Fax: 952
480 923
Property for sale Alozaina
Alozaina Property
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