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By
the time he arrives at this village the traveller will not only have noticed
the magnificent scenery that he could not have helped but observe along the
way but also the fact that it lies at a considerable altitude. In fact, Cartajima
is the highest locality in all the Ronda highlands,
which is saying something since if there is one thing that the villages in
this region lack it certainly is not elevation. The features that best characterise
this municipality, situated in the Alto Genal region, derive from this simple
geographical fact. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Cartajima please contact us.
A rocky (karstic) zone known as Los Riscos de Cartajimo (Cliffs of Cartajimo) in the Oreganal mountain range north of the village is visually compelling. It is highly advisable to visit it with some local person who knows its hidden corners and most interesting caves. In the south, the country is wooded and appears to be covered with evergreen and cork oaks and chestnut trees.
Due to the lack of documentation on the origin of the village we can’t go further back in its history than to the Muslim era, but there is a chronicle that records the testimony of a resident of the village to the effect that while some works were being undertaken at Las Pedrizas some burial sites were discovered with human remains and some coins that were apparently from the Phoenician-Hellenic age. Nor is there any record of the Arabic period although it can be presumed without fear of contradiction that events in Cartajima must have been similar to those in nearby villages.
During the years of the Napoleonic invasion-and this is indeed documented-the locality could boast of a stinging setback to the French. The actions of the guerrilla Andrés García were significant; he perpetrated an attack on the governor of Ronda, who died as he was travelling next to El Tajo with his escort.
Fernando VII granted the village the status of “villa” (royal burgh) in 1814, and for a long period in the nineteenth century Cartajima experienced remarkable economic growth due mainly to exploitation of its iron mines, which have now been abandoned. During this era a small factory was set up mainly for manufacturing cannon, which propelled the village’s economy to the point that it became known as the “Little Cádiz”.
Fiestas
This village’s most traditional and characteristic fiesta, “Las
Cortesías” (“The Courtesies”), is held during the
Semana Santa (Holy Week), to be precise on Holy Saturday and Resurrection
Sunday. On the first of these days people go out to the country to collect
pine, laurel and poplar branches that will be used to prepare the “niche”
on Calle Capitán Cortés. This is where an statue of the Child
Jesus will be placed. On Resurrection Sunday a group of villagers go down
to the River Genal and bring back a “chopo” (a type of small poplar)
that they will likewise install on Calle Capitán Cortés On it
is hung the “Judas” that will be burned during the procession.
All these preparations are performed according to a strict and unique ritual that is repeated each year, and at noon on Resurrection Sunday the bells peal to announce the departure of the Virgen del Rosario, who comes in a procession to where the Child Jesus is. Mother and Son greet one another by means of a kind of dance, called “Las Cortesías”, that is performed by the throne bearers. After both images resume the march the “Judas” that has been hung from the chopo beforehand is burned. The ritual concludes at the church with a mass.
The patron saint fiestas in honour of the Virgen
del Rosario are held in mid-August. They last for three days, throughout which
there are competitions for children, theatre presentations and a traditional
verbena (street party) every night. On 2 May is the pilgrimage in honour of
the Child Jesus, for which the people get together at a place known as “Haza
Romero”. After the outing to the country there is a verbena that night
in the village.
Food
Conejo guisado (stewed rabbit) and the various varieties of stews
are dishes that are eaten during any season of the year, but it is in winter
that the more distinctively native cuisine makes its appearance with specialties
such as “sopeao” (a soup containing garlic, peppers, bread and
tomatoes), sopa refrita (“fried soup”) and setas fritas (fried
mushrooms), not to mention the characteristic “olla” (a hearty
meat and vegetable stew) that is so popular in the villages of Málaga.
Since this is a region where chestnuts abound we could not fail to include
a dessert based on them, such as the “cocina de castañas”,
in whose preparation cinnamon, anise, coffee and sugar are also used. The
rosco de horno (a spiral pastry) is likewise very popular. The local Mosto
wine is of excellent quality.
How to get there:
To get to Cartajima start from the Mediterranean Expressway (AP-7,
N-340) and at San Pedro de Alcántara take the A-376 towards Ronda.
A few kilometres before getting to Malaga take the
MA-525, which passes through Cartajima.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Iglesia, 21 (29452). Telephone: 952 180751; Fax: 952 180
790
Cartajima property
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