Panoramic view of
the town |
Faraján is situated in the Ronda area, close to
the Alto del Genal and on a hill called La colina de Don Fabrique, at 641
metres above sea level, between the mountains surrounding the Genal
river-bed. The
name derives from an Arabic word meaning "Pleasant Place". It is
typical of other mountain towns in the area, with the type of low,
whitewashed houses that prompted Ernest Hemingway to write about it as a
town like "a white swan on a pool of hope." Almost
all the streets lead to the Plaza de la Constitución, recently paved and
planted with lemon trees. The Plaza is the centre of the town’s social
life, and also where the church and the Town Hall is situated. The
first people to settle here, as far as we know, were the Moors. Different
tribes moved to the area, among them the Magilas, the Gumaras, the
Bahiríes, the Habibies and the Hawaras. Some of these tribes lived side by
side with Jewish and Christian minority groups that had arrived to the town
as prisoners captured in local battles. They all lived in small communities
called alquerías (farm houses), the most important of which are
Albalaxtear, Balastar, Chúcar, Cenajen and Castillejo. After
the conquest of Ronda, all these urban centres were abandoned and their
residents moved to Faraján, then integrated into the administrative area of
Ronda. With
the expulsion of the Moriscos in the 16th century, the area was left
practically depopulated, until Christian families from other areas settled
in the place. On October 30th, 1814, King Fernando VII awarded Faraján the
"Royal Privilege of Villa, as a reward for its loyalty and sacrifice
during the War of Independence against the French." In the same letter
sent by the king, permission was granted for the town to use the
coat-of-arms of the Spanish Crown with the words "very noble and loyal
Villa of Faraján."
Places
to be visited
 |
Church
of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
This church was built in 1505, refurbished in the 18th century and
totally reconstructed about forty years ago, now with a single
nave and flat ceiling, and a vaulted ceiling decorated in gesso
covering the side chapel.
Natural surroundings
The area surrounding the town is covered in oak, cork, chestnut
and pine trees, with some remaining olive and almond groves, and
in the river area, fruit and vegetable plots. Trekking is a
favourite past-time here, one of the best routes for this
ascending three kilometres up to the Romeral peak. There one can
see the remains of a Celtic settlement and some old Roman wall
ruins. Looking closely one can also see the Dolmen of El Romeral
and the Cave of Los Almendaraches. In the same area there is a
narrow and winding path down to an area known as Las Chorreras,
where one can see two waterfalls 50 metres high on the Balastar
stream. The remains of an old mill are here too, dating from
Moorish times, along with various water channels excavated out of
the rock. Continuing down this path by the river, one reaches the
River Genal, and a kilometre further on one can return to Faraján
by the mill road, three kilometres long. One
could also take a four-by-four vehicle on the Moclón mountain
road that passes close to the Real Fábrica (Royal Factory) of El
Molino. Another route used by four-by-fours is that which passes
near El Molino and crosses the Genal, arriving at the Chúcar
irrigation channel, along the way being able to see the wonderful
landscape at La Loza and Senegil, and with sufficient time, to
take a swim in the Genal river, three kilometres from where we
started. Here too is the camping area known as the Vega Grande.
|
| Where
to eat |
Restaurant
and pork processing factory Remedios. Specialising in
barbecued sirloin steaks. C/Jose Antonio.
Bar Tropezón. C/Jose
Antonio.
Bar La Encina. Open air
terrace, specialising in lamb and hamburgers.
|
| Where
to sleep |
Municipal
Hostal. C/General Mola, 4. Capacity: 12 people.
Rural
Accommodation in the province of Malaga
(in
Spanish)
|
Typical street in
Faraján |
FIESTAS
The most interesting of the traditional festivals in Faraján is on Good
Friday, when the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús de Medinaceli is carried in
procession through the streets, accompanied by the people of the town
praying and singing songs in a festive spirit of religious belief and
tradition. It is said that the Cristo de Medinaceli is the most miraculous
in the world, and that all a penitent needs for eternal salvation is to
have the face of Jesus look in his direction. One of the most emotional
parts of the procession is when it stops for a moment at the junction of
calles Amargura and Federico Sierra, where 50 years ago a woman of the
town cleaned the face of Jesus of Medinaceli, reciting an ancient poem of
25 verses, asking that her petition be granted.
Another important festival in the town is that of its patron saint, San
Sebastián, which takes place from August 4th to 6th.
In a tradition that goes back to 1814, the festival
of the other patron saint, the Immaculate Conception, is held in December.
GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy of Faraján is similar to
other villages and towns in the mountain region. Among the best-known
local dishes are the artichoke soup, the gazpacho, the fried bread crumbs,
the rabbit in garlic and the delicious pork dishes of the area.
In the field of craft, we can find here beautiful works in olive twig and
rush.
Faraján has become a favourite destination for
tourists seeking a quiet holiday far from the noise and bustle of the
coastal tourist resorts. Many of the old houses here have been refurbished
for this purpose and are available for rent all the year round.
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