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The
tiny village of Alpandeire is anchored at the foot of the Sierra de Jarastepar
range, whose highest peak rises to 1,425 metres. Its municipal area is dominated
in the north by an abrupt mountain front whose terrain gentles towards the
south, becoming a succession of hills that favour the growth of pines, chestnuts,
cork oaks and olive trees. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Alpandeire then please contact us.
Due to numerous streams such as the Audalaza, Jandaque and La Fuente that cross this territory there are several places around the village where flowing waters, especially during times of abundant rain, have helped form sites of exceptional beauty such as El Pozancón, Los Huertos and Finca de Las Amarillas.
It is known that this area has been occupied by man since prehistoric times. The dolmens of Encinas Borrachas and Montero bear testimony to this, and some ceramic relics discovered in such places as La Vasija and La Mimbre indicate that the Romans had a presence in this region for a time. Alpandeire’s origins are without a doubt Arabic, however.
According to the available documentation, Alpandeire was founded in the year 711, immediately after the Muslims entered the Iberian Peninsular. It can thus be safely said that this village was one of the first that they built in the Ronda highlands.
After it was conquered by the Christians, this locality went into a decline that worsened with the expulsion of the Moors. The situation obliged Felipe III to issue a decree for this region to be repopulated as quickly as possible. Twenty-two new residents arrived at Alpandeire and nearby Pospitar and were given lands and dwellings.
The recent history of this village is linked to the figure of Francisco Tomás de San Juan Bautista Márquez Sánchez, Friar Leopoldo of Alpandeire, who was born here in 1866 and devoted his life to helping those who were most in need. The devotion to this Capuchín monk on the part of the people, who attribute many favours and miracles to him, has but grown with time and both his tomb in Granada and the house where he was born are visited by many people.
Fiestas
The “El Niño del Huerto” (“Child of the Vegetable
Garden”) celebration, which takes place on Resurrection Sunday, stands
out in the festive calendar of Alpandeire for its originality. The peculiarity
of this fiesta lies in the fact that its organization is the responsibility
of “mayordomos” (stewards) who are elected beforehand by secret
ballot.
This locality prepares a variety of activities for the Virgen del Rosario
patron saint festival (7 October), but it celebrates the San Roque patron
saint festival (16 August) with greater intensity. On that date, the saint
is borne in a procession through the picturesque streets of the village and
a verbena (traditional street party) is held in the main square. On 24 June,
the Panditos render homage to Friar Leopoldo with a number of religious and
entertainment events.
Food
The gastronomy of this region is very closely linked to the highland
tradition of adapting dishes to the season of the year, so stews of such wild
herbs as hinojos (fennel), collejas (dandelion), tagarninas (golden thistle),
and espárragos (asparagus) are prevalent in the spring, and cold soups
of the gazpacho type-of which there is also a variety to be consumed hot-are
favoured in the summer months, although it is true that these dishes may be
enjoyed all year, along with the potajes (stews) and guisos de conejo (stewed
rabbit) that are more usual during the winter. Pastries, especially during
the Semana Santa (Holy Week), are represented by pestiños (a tidbit
made from flour, beaten eggs and honey) and the rosquillón (a type
of spiral pastry).
How to get there:
To get to Alpandeire from the Western Costa
del Sol you must start from San Pedro de Alcántara towards Ronda
on the A-376. About 12 kilometres short of Ronda
take the MA-525, which at Cartajima becomes the
MA-518, to Juzcar. You must continue from Juzcar
to Farajan on the MA-517, and from the latter locality,
you will get to Alpandeire by the MA-516. It is really the same road but it
changes its designation depending on the municipality it is crossing.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Pilar, 21 (29460). Telephone: 952 180 254; Fax: 952 180 309
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