One of the most
outstanding facades in Cuevas Bajas |
Cuevas Bajas is situated to the north of the
Antequera area, its municipal borders being mostly rivers and streams: to
the north west, the Las Pozas stream, to the south east, the Burriana
stream, to the north and north west, the river Genil that flows through the
town. To get to Cuevas Bajas one takes the MA-203 from Villanueva de
Algaidas, seven kilometres away. The road is winding and demands great
attention while driving.
The history of human settlement in this area goes back
to Palaeolithic times, to judge by various hunting implements found in the
Cueva de Belda. The most important Copper Age burial grounds in Spain are
here too. During Roman times, around the 2nd century B.C., a
Roman road known as the Way of Antonino passed close to Cuevas Bajas, and it
was the Romans who first began to cultivate grapes, olives and cereals both
in this area and the land around the river Singilis, now known as the Genil.
Cuevas Bajas and Cuevas Altas were called Cuevas de Belda in medieval times,
and the present-day Cuevas Bajas and Cuevas de San Marcos then formed part
of two Moorish settlements conquered by the Governor of Antequera, Pedro
Narváez, in the year 1426. Following the expulsion of the inhabitants, the
two settlements were destroyed. At the end of the 15th century
the lands around the Cuevas Bajas and Cuevas Altas area were parcelled out
among new settlers. Little by little the population grew, to reach 1,300 in
1840 and 2,500 in 1900. From this time on the population began to drop, and
has not since recovered its previous level.
Places
to be visited
 |
Urban
centre and surroundings
The town centre is only 323 metres above sea level,
situated in a small valley from where one can see the surrounding
olive groves and farmland, the production of olive oil being the
mainstay of the local economy. The land between the river Genil
and the highest point of the municipality, the 768-metre high Cruz
peak, is basically low hills covered in olive trees, while the
land around the town itself and the Genil riverbanks is given over
to small market gardens and cereal plantations.
Church of San Juan
The town is built around the plaza that the Church of San Juan
stands on, dating from the 18th century. Its exterior
is built of rubble and brick, with a simple entrance topped by a
small pediment into which has been built a semicircular arched
niche. The square tower has a steeple in three sections, the top
section built in a single arch with a pediment on top. The
interior is divided into three naves and a cross-shaped vaulted
ceiling, the octagonal-shaped room off the main altar being its
most outstanding feature. The streets in the town are mainly short
and narrow, the houses having balconies and window pots. Of
particular interest is the ancient venta (inn) of Juan González,
in calle Venta, and the house at number 22, calle Real, whose
façade is very beautiful.
Flora and fauna
The land around the town is mainly low Mediterranean scrubland,
with large areas of olive plantations. The river Genil and its
tributaries are excellent for fishing, with plenty of red mullet,
carp and American crab in these waters. This last species is known
for its aggressiveness, and is thought to come from the river
Gudalquivir.
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| Where
to eat |
Cafetería
Al-Andalus. Home cooking. C/La Venta, 118.
Bar Toni. Tapas and authentic
home cooking. In front of the church. Tel: 952 729 555.
Bar Las Parras. Home cooking.
Wedding room. Plaza de la Constitución.Tel: 952 729 528.
Rural
Accommodation in the province of Malaga
(in
Spanish)
|
Church of San Juan,
built in the 18th century |
FIESTAS
Cuevas Bajas celebrates its festival in
honour of the patron saint of the town, San Juan, on June 24th
and 25th. As is traditional in the province, the dolls made of
old rags by the people of the place are burned at night. The feria is from
August 16th to 19th, with music and dancing in the
streets.
GASTRONOMY AND CRAFTWORK
The gastronomy of Cuevas Bajas is typical of the Antequera area, with the
dish known as porra served cold. Other local dishes include gacha, fried
breadcrumbs and a wide range of soups and broths. The town is well known
for its pastries, some made with wine and some sweet, and there is also a
home-made drink here called resoli, the ingredients of which are sweet
aniseed, coffee grains and aromatic herbs.
ADR-NORORMA
The north-eastern area of Malaga province is made up of seven
municipalities, including Cuevas Bajas. They all form part of an
organisation established in 1995 called ADR-NORORMA, whose aim is to make
the regional and state authorities more aware of the institutional needs
of this area, and to promote interior tourism.
The towns in question are Cuevas Bajas, Cuevas de
San Marcos, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de Tapia, Archidona,
Villanueva del Trabuco and Villanueva del Rosario, and all sectors of the
local communities are represented in NORORMA. The organisation has worked
hard since it was set up to encourage industry, tourism and craftwork in
the region, and among its activities is the organisation of a Day of the
North-eastern Malaga Region, taking place in October in Archidona.
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