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The
diversity of the province of Malaga is to be seen
not only in its rugged topography, which creates the most varied landscapes,
but also in the sizes of its municipalities. Thus, along with municipalities
with large areas such as Antequera, which with
its 810 square kilometres is the fourth largest in Spain, there are others
of less than ten square kilometres, such as Totalan,
Archez, Algarrobo
and the case in point, Iznate, with 7.5 square kilometres. Even with these
tiny dimensions, however, this is still not the smallest municipality in the
province of Malaga. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Iznate please contact us.
The scant geographic area of a municipality, however, does not imply a scarcity of scenic resources, at least not in the case of Iznate. Its territory is adorned mainly with vineyards and olive and almond trees, a palette of different shades of green that stand out from an ochre-coloured terrain creased by the river that bears the name of the village, and on whose banks a few orchards and gardens are to be seen. Definitely a typical Axarquian landscape.
There is no indication that this area was populated before the arrival of the Arabs to the Iberian Peninsular, and there are features, for example the name of the place, supporting the belief that the village had its origin in the Muslim era. In the opinion of experts, the name comes from “hisnat”, which can be translated as “castle” or “castles”. There are those who say that the famous leader Omar Ben Hafsun, who aroused so much attention in the time of the Caliphate of Cordoba, was born in Iznate. Others, however, believe that the birthplace of that personage was Parauta, in the Ronda highlands. So far, there is nothing more than conjecture either way. An unusual historical characteristic of this village is that it enjoyed the privilege of “behetría”, by which the villagers had the right to elect whomever they wished as their lord, so the obligatory service that they had to render years later to a Christian lord must have rankled them greatly.
It is known that the village surrendered to the troops of the Catholic Monarchs at the same time as Velez Malaga, in 1487, and that for a time the population continued to be mainly Moorish. The abuses by the Christian rulers sowed the seeds of the Moorish rebellion of 1569, a cause which the residents of this village emphatically embraced and for which they were severely punished. The village stood practically deserted until 1574, when Felipe II sent the academician Peláez to Iznate to divide the lands among the Christians, who came mainly from Antequera and Estepa. Chronicles relate that in the late sixteenth century Iznate was known as one of the villages that produced the most grapes, a product that was even ordered by certain merchants in the Spanish capital, who preferred its grapes to those from other places. As is well known, the phylloxera pest put an end to this thriving business in the nineteenth century.
Fiestas
The Día de la Uva Moscatel (Muscatel Grape Day) is celebrated on the
first Saturday in August. This is a festival for meetings and fellowship as
well as of thanksgiving for the raisin grape harvests. This fiesta coincides
with the end of the Semana Cultural (Cultural Week), during which there are
expositions, workshops, Rocío choir competitions and above all the
Noche Flamenca (Flamenco Night). The Día de la Uva Moscatel begins
with a Rocío mass and in the afternoon a gastronomic tour is organised
in which the villagers offer samples of the most characteristic local dishes.
The patron saint fiestas take place on the Viernes de Dolores (the Friday
before Good Friday) and Easter Sunday, which is when one of the most arresting
and unusual rituals in the entire region is held. The fiesta stewards go to
the hermitage next to the cemetery and there hide the image of an angel in
the shrubbery. This act represents the death of Jesus. The search for the
angel begins on the next day while the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of the
Sorrows) is being conveyed in a procession to the hermitage, preceded by villagers
who cover their faces with ancient masques and represent the twelve Apostles.
Once the procession arrives at the place, the Apostle Saint John indicates the place where the angel is hidden, while Saint Peter shakes his head to the contrary, in memory of the Evangelical passage. After the third denial, Peter finds the angel, which is now the Resurrected Christ, and goes toward the Virgin to show Him to her. A little girl is raised to the level of the image of the Virgin to remove the veil that she has been wearing up to this point, allowing her to better see the Resurrected One. This is the instant for firing a thousand firecrackers and as many other fireworks in celebration of the Resurrection. Immediately afterwards the queen of the fiesta and her ladies in waiting carry the Resurrected One to meet the Virgin and after that everyone goes to the church. On the Día de la Cruz (Day of the Cross, 3 May) the hornazo fiesta is held. (An hornazo is an olive oil and almond cake baked in a wood-fired oven and with an egg in the centre.) This fiesta coincides with the pilgrimage, in which the image of Saint Joseph is borne in a procession to the source of the River Iznate, where the hornazos are consumed, among other products. On the day of San Antonio (13 and 14 June) a verbena (traditional street party) is held, and the Día de las Candelas (Day of the Bonfires) is celebrated on 8 September.
Food
Sopa de maimones (a hot soup made of bread, olive oil, garlic and
egg) is one of the most traditional dishes in the cuisine of Iznate, as also
are ensaladilla cateta con naranjas (a salad containing potatoes and tomatoes
and other ingredients with oranges), fritá con morcilla (a dish with
blood sausage), ajoblanco (a cold garlic soup) and sopa de ajos (garlic soup).
Potaje de garbanzos y habichuelas (chickpea and kidney bean stew) and tortitas
de bacalao con miel (codfish patties with syrup) are habitually eaten during
Holy Week. These and many other dishes belong in the cookbook of all of La
Axarquía, although it is true that each municipality adds its special
local touch. There are a variety of choices when it comes to confectionery,
such as the aforementioned hornazo, pestiños (a sweet made from flour
and beaten eggs) and baticate (an avocado shake with milk, sugar and cinnamon).
It goes without saying that the local raisins and Muscatel wine are of excellent
quality.
How to get there:
If you are coming from the Costa del Sol, take the Mediterranean
Expressway A-7 (N-340) from Malaga in the direction
of Motril. About 20 kilometres short of Velez
Malaga follow the signs towards Cadiz and get
onto the MA-177, which will take you to Iznate. If you are coming from Velez
Malaga take the A-335 and after just two kilometres turn onto the MA-135
and go to Benamocarra. From that village continue
on the MA-136 to Iznate.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Vélez, 20 (29792). Telephone: 952 509 776;
Fax: 952 509 798.
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