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On
its uppermost stretch, where the municipality of Farajan lies, the River Genal
flows through deep ravines that its waters have formed by erosion over many
thousands of years, forming a landscape that is rather simplistically called
a caprice of nature when in fact it is the result of the never-ending struggle
between water and stone. Close by these ravines, peaks such as those of El
Jordon, at more than 1,100 metres, and hills such as Los Haynes and La Rosa
that approach 1,000 metres in height, mark the boundaries of this municipality.
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for sale in Spain in or near Farajan please contact us.
A traveller arriving at Farajan enters a territory that has always been of difficult access, precisely because of its extremes of elevation, and which has, therefore, preserved to a high degree the appearance of unaltered terrain, something seldom or never seen in these parts. The people of Farajan and neighbouring villages indisputably deserve credit for this state of affairs, for they have learned to utilise the natural resources of the forests without damaging them. The slopes, that the Genal rushes past, have dense vegetation with pine, evergreen oak, cork oak and chestnut trees abounding. It is interesting to recall how the fruit of that last species, the chestnut, was used in times past for fattening pigs, until the French discovered maroon glaze and with it introduced a culinary delight. At the present time, a high percentage of the chestnuts produced in this area are exported.
While traces of ancient cultures have been
found within this municipality, the village originated during the period of
Muslim domination, At that time several farm communities (Balastrar, Chucar,
Catillejo and Cenajen) were inhabited by a number of North African tribes,
and even by Jews and Christians, although the latter not by choice, but apparently
after being taken prisoner. Once the city of Ronda
was taken by the Christian troops these farm communities were gradually depopulated
and their inhabitants reestablished themselves in Faraján, a nucleus
of population that was constituted as a possession of the Crown, politically
subordinate to Ronda. With the expulsion of the Moors
in the sixteenth century Farajan also was depopulated and people from other
places were to come and settle in the village.
The fearlessness with which nearly all the communities of the Ronda
highlands fought against the Napoleonic invasion is proverbial, and in recognition
of this course of action, in the specific case of Farajan, King Fernando VII
in 1814 granted it a Carta de Real Privilegio de Villa (Charter of Royal Burgh
Privileges) in a document which states it is “in reward for constancy
and loyalty, and hardships endured, during the War of Independence against
the French”.
Fiestas
The patron saint fiestas in honour of San Sebastián are held in early
August. The village is decorated for those days and, the villagers enjoy a
schedule of activities that has something for all ages and tastes. The traditional
verbena (street party) is sure to be exciting. The day of La Inmaculada (Immaculate
Conception, 8 December) is a very significant festivity in this village, and
as in so many others the Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of its most deeply
rooted manifestations of tradition. At noon on Good Friday Nuestro Padre Jesús
de Medinaceli (Our Father Lord Jesus of Medinacelí) and the Virgen
de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows) begin their procession. When the procession
arrives at Calle Amargura, the retinue pauses. Then a female villager approaches
the Virgin and “asks permission” to wipe the face of Jesus. A
Stations of the Cross ceremony with the image of the Crucified Jesus takes
place that night, and after it a silent procession with the Virgin of Sorrows
in full mourning. The Passion Week events conclude on Resurrection Sunday
with the Child Jesus in the Sunrise Procession.
Food
All the mountain dishes are represented in the kitchens of this municipality,
which has a special fondness for conejo al ajillo (rabbit in garlic sauce)
and, as is to be expected, there are many dishes based on pork. Its tortas
de piñonate (a pastry made with pine nuts) deserve special mention.
How to get there:
If you start from the Costa del Sol on the AP-7 (N-340) expressway,
at Manilva take the A-377 towards Ronda.
When you get to Gaucin continue by way of the A-369,
which is the same road as the previous one but with another designation, to
Atajate. 10 kilometres past this village, turn
onto the MA-515, which will lead to Alpandeire,
and from that village the MA-516 will take you to Farajan. If you leave the
town of Ronda also take the A-369, but towards Algeciras.
After about eight kilometres you will come to the sign indicating the MA-515,
which will take you to Alpandeire, and from
there take the MA-516 to Farajan.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Carihuela, 7 (29461). Telephone: 952 180 506; Fax:
952 180 555
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