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The
territory of the municipality of Pujerra, in the south-eastern part of the
Ronda region on the border with the Western Costa
del Sol, stretches across chestnut and pine woods down to the floor of the
River Genal valley. This is a landscape in which the greenery of the plant
cover joins hands with water to form surroundings that, although characteristic
of the Ronda highlands, contribute their own unique
features to what is already an unusual area of the province of Malaga.
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Despite the fact that tourist traffic now penetrates every corner of the Highlands, the visitor will experience the sensation of a new discovery as he approaches Pujerra. Perhaps this is because these lands still preserve that look of virgin territory that is only to be found in those villages that have learned how to exist in the modern world while maintaining absolute respect for the natural environment in which they are located.
This locality’s poor transportation and communications links with the rest of the Ronda region have contributed on the one hand to keeping its valuable scenery intact and on the other to the fact that there are hardly any reliable records about the foundation and later development of this village, nor has there ever been any particularly important historical event to occur in this village. There are mentions of the existence of a Moorish village, Bentamín, that disappeared after the Christian conquest, but not even the local people know where that village might have been located. One historian also refers to the existence of another lost village, Cenay, where the ruins of the old Molino de Capilla (Mill of the Chapel) now are. It was in this community of Cenay, according to legend, that King Wamba lived before coming to the throne. It is impossible to establish to what extent this legend is based on more or less firm grounds, but there unquestionably are bricks known as “brácaris” that have been used in the façades of several houses in the village. On these bricks appear Christian symbols under the initials of the name Yesous Christos, which were used to mark the graves of Christians. In light of the fact that some of those bricks are dated to the second century A. D. it is reasonable to believe that the area had already been Christianised before the arrival of the Visigoths.
As for the origin of the village’s name, all is conjecture and nobody has yet been able to explain what it may mean or where it came from. On different documents, it is written as Oxera (probably a mistake by the copyist), Poxera, Puxerra and even Pugerra. There is reason to believe that the locality’s name may come from “Alpujarra”, since if the prefix “Al” is omitted from this word what remains is very similar to the name of this mountain village. Whatever the case, there is no doubt that the origin of the village is to be found in the Arabic era, since its street plan follows the pattern of other nearby localities that do have documentation of their foundations during Muslim rule. Building upon this reasonable presumption, it is equally valid to believe that the history of this municipality must have followed the same path as that of the adjoining villages, at least until the eighteenth century. Reliable data appears from that century about the exploitation of mineral deposits (iron and asbestos) within the boundaries of this municipality, an activity that continued well into the nineteenth century.
The residents of Pujerra seem to have distinguished
themselves in the struggle against the Napoleonic invasion, and in recognition
of their acts in support of independence King Fernando VII granted it the
status of villa (royal burgh) in 1814.
Fiestas
The San Antonio de Padua patron saint fiestas are celebrated on that saint’s
day, 13 June. The festivities last four days, during all of which time the
villagers very actively participate in the events that are organised, especially
the San Antonio procession. This is the occasion for a massive launching of
fireworks that resound throughout the Genal valley. A verbena (traditional
street party) is held in the village square that is attended by young and
old alike not just to listen to music and dance but also to sample some of
the typical local dishes and fine wine. The San Antonio pilgrimage
takes place on the second Sunday in August, a date that coincides with the
Semana Cultural de Pujerra (Pujerra Cultural Week). Just as in other villages
in the region the “tostón de castañas” (chestnut
roast) is celebrated in early November. This consists of going to the country
to roast chestnuts-the date coincides with the conclusion of the harvest of
this product-and eating them accompanied by a glass of anise in convivial
company. Another patron saint fiesta is organised for 3 November; this one
is in honour of the Virgen de Fátima (Virgin of Fatima), who is the
object of great veneration by the Pujerreños.
Some of the other most traditional local celebrations
are the February carnivals and later the Semana Santa (Holy Week), especially
the Semana de Pasión (Passion Week). During this event the image of
the Virgen de la Soledad (Virgin of Solitude) is borne in a procession with
a certain degree of splendour and witnessed with great absorption.
Food
The base of this village’s cuisine, as of the others in the
Genal valley, is a long tradition that has managed to coordinate products
of the soil with the seasonal diet. Thus we find gazpacho caliente (a soup
that is generally eaten cold, but hot in this case), which is more usual in
winter months as also are migas (a dish made from fried bread crumbs). Gazpacho
fresco (a cold soup) is eaten in summer. Spring is the time for guisos (stews)
with such wild herbs as tagarninas (Spanish oyster plant), hinojos (fennels),
collejas (dandelion) and espárragos trigueros (wild asparagus). The
most characteristic dishes are olla (a kind of stew), pinchitada (a kebab
preparation) and postura. Roscos caseros (homemade spiral pastries), buñuelos
(fritters) and “tostones” are confectioneries worthy of note.
How to get there:
Take the Mediterranean Expressway (AP-7; N-340) to San Pedro de Alcántara,
between Marbella and Estepona,
and there take the A-376 towards Ronda. About 12
kilometres short of Ronda take the MA-526 to Igualeja
and continue on the MA-527 to Pujerra.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Fuente, 3 (29450). Telephone: 952 183 513; Fax:
952 183 513.
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