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Although
on its south side, the municipality of Jubrique borders the Western Costa
del Sol region the ruggedness of its terrain, while not excessive, does confirm
that it properly belongs to the Ronda highlands.
In fact, one of the identifying features of the latter region, the Genal valley,
makes up a large part of this municipality. The highest elevations in this
territory, which are generally gentle ridges, are covered by chestnut trees
and grapevines, while the landscape in the vicinity of the River Genal is
to some extent determined by small orchards and market gardens devoted to
fruits and vegetables. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Jubrique please contact us.
This municipality was formed by the union of four Moorish settlements-Rotillas, Monarda, Benamedá and Jubrique-of whose existence reliable documentation is recorded in the articles of surrender to the Catholic Monarchs. There is general agreement that the name does not come from the Arabic era but rather from the Latin or in any event from the Mozarabs.There are no traces of other cultures in the area aside from the fact that a few Roman coins have been found. This latter fact is not strange considering that the entire Highlands region was intensively Romanised, but no ruins have been found that would indicate a Roman settlement in the vicinity of modern Jubrique. However, due to the fact that the events were more recent, it is documented that the Moors in this locality were especially warlike in their response to excesses by the Christians, against whom they rebelled and fought a battle, in which Captain Alonso de Aguilar and nearly all his men, died. They had been sent for the very purpose of putting down the rebellion.
The Moors from the former Nazarite Kingdom were finally expelled, with those from Jubrique being exiled to North Africa and Galicia, although some returned illegally and became highwaymen. Such was the case of Marcos el Meliche’s band, which was a clear forerunner of the bandit gangs that were so common throughout the Ronda highlands in the nineteenth century. It was in the mid-nineteenth century that Jubrique achieved its greatest splendour. This was a direct consequence of the wealth generated by its vineyards and associated industries and by the exploitation of mineral resources in the mountains. The grape and wine tradition in Jubrique continued until well into the twentieth century, and even today the only distilleries in the region, in Ronda, belong to a family from Jubrique.
Fiestas
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Jubrique offers tremendously moving cofradía
(brotherhood) scenes, such as the meeting of the Virgin with Jesus of Nazareth,
which occurs on the morning of Good Friday. The statue of the Virgin has a
mechanism that permits her to wipe away her tears, in the presence of the
entire village, that witness this moment with special emotion. On Holy Thursday
Jesus is carried in a procession to bless the village, and is again borne
in a procession the next day when María en su Soledad (Mary in her
Solitude) accompanies the Santo Entierro (Holy Burial). The traditional “quema
de Judas” (burning of Judas) is carried out on Easter Sunday.
In early May, coinciding with the Cultural Week, there is a masquerade party in which a large number of villagers participate, wearing costumes from the Middle Ages that represent ancient trades while at the same time displaying works they have completed during the year. On 24 June the San Juan verbena (traditional street party) is held. The Las Cruces pilgrimage on 15 May attracts a large crowd, both from the local area and from other municipalities who join in the celebration.
The Fiesta del Emigrante (Emigrant’s Fiesta) is also celebrated in this locality in honour of villagers who had to leave in search of a better future. Some of these people return specifically to participate in this celebration, which is usually in the second or third week in August. The fiestas honouring Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the village, take place around 4 October and last for about five days, during which time the village intensively participates in the festivities and religious events.
Food
The cuisine of Jubrique follows the pattern to be seen in other mountain
villages, although as you know each place gives its own special touch to the
dishes even if the ingredients in different places are practically identical.
Gazpacho caliente (usually a cold soup but in this case served hot), tortilla
de ajetes (garlic omelette), dishes with setas (mushrooms) and potaje de hinojos
(fennel stew), among others, are the most traditional dishes since they are
based on local products, and to them might be added the excellent goat cheese.
Hijuelos (a pastry made with flour, olive oil, egg and syrup), mantecados
(shortbread), roscos de naranja and roscos de vino (spiral pastries made,
respectively, with oranges and wine) complete the recipe list, and to this
should be added the local white Mosto wine and aguardiente (raw brandy).
How to get there:
Go to Estepona on the AP-7 (N-340) and
take the A-557 to Jubrique. This is a regional road with very curvy stretches
but in compensation it provides truly incomparable scenery. If you are coming
from Ronda, take the A-376 and immediately afterward
the A-369 to Algatocin, where the MA-536 begins
and which will take you to Jubrique.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza Andalucía, 1 (29492). Telephone: 952 152
250; Fax: 952 152 336.
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