General view of the
municipality |
Genalguacil is a small town in the heart of the
beautiful Genal valley, relatively close to the sea but in the heart of the
Ronda Mountains. Its name derives from the Arabic Genna-Ahuacir, meaning
"Gardens of the Minister." The Moorish influence can also be seen
in the narrow, winding streets and the small, whitewashed houses creeping up
the steep slopes of the village. The place is fast becoming well known as an
artists’ refuge, and every two years, during the month of August, artists
from Spain and abroad come here to paint and show their work. In fact, much
of the work of these artists can be seen all the year round in the village.
Another great attraction in Genalguacil is rural tourism, with many rural
houses in and around the village for rent right through the year. There are
numerous small roads and pathways leading to delightful spots within the
municipality, such as the Los Reales de Genalguacil and the areas of the
rivers Almáchar and Genal.
Both the origin of the town’s name and the mines in the area would suggest
that they were built by some Moorish leader in the past. It is known that
there was gold, silver and copper in these mines, as we can see from some
remains in the area known as Los Morteretes. At a later date, we are told by
Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, historian of the Granada wars of the time, the
noble Alonso de Aguilar died here at the hands of the rebel Moriscos, whose
leader was Feri de Benestepar. After this rebellion, Christian settlers were
brought in from other areas and planted here, and in the ecclesiastical
census carried out in 1586 in Genalguacil, the name of the Duque de Arcos
appears as owner of a family house in the village. It is also known that the
village was awarded the title of Villa, but we do not know by which king or
exactly in which period.
Places
to be visited
 |
Art
Biennale
Since 1994, an art biennale has been taking place in Genalguacil
every two years during the first fortnight in August, attracting
artists from all over Spain and Europe to this spot for two weeks
of painting, sculpting and the creative exchange of ideas. They
are put up by the Town hall and have all their materials paid for,
along with a catalogue being published, and the resulting works of
art become the property of the town itself. All aspects of art are
included in the programme, with sculptures in wood, metal and
ceramics, and murals and photography forming part of what becomes
the town’s permanent collection. Many of the works are out in
the open, as planned, while others are housed in Town Hall
property until work on the old oil press, to become the new
municipal museum, has been finished.
Urban Centre
Genalguacil is a typical small mountain village whose only ancient
work of architecture is its church, dating from the 17th
century and built in honour of St. Peter of Verona (San Pedro de
Verona). Its interior is divided into three naves, separated by
semicircular arches supported by columns and covered in a timber
ceiling. On the outside, its most interesting element is the
octagonal-based tower.
Trekking
The countryside surrounding the village is quite beautiful and
ecologically important, and the best way to get to know it is to
walk. Of particular interest to nature lovers is the Los Reales de
Sierra Bermeja area, where one can see the rare pinsapo trees - a
species of Mediterranean pine – and animals and birds like the
mountain deer and the various species of hawks and eagles.
Interesting too is the area known as Los Morterestes, situated in
the middle of a pinsapo woods where the first settlers here mined
gold.
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| Where
to eat |
Restaurante El Refugio. C/Duende, 4. Tel: 952 152
130.
Venta Las Cruces. Paraje Las
Cruces. Tel: 952 152 039.
Bar Mateos. Avda. Estepona, 5.
Tel: 952 152 016.
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| Where
to sleep |
Rural
tourism and houses for rent. For information and
reservations, call the Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas (C.I.T).
C/Molina. Tel: 952 870 739
Rural
Accommodation in the province of Malaga
(in
Spanish)
|
Covered fountain
beneath an arch in the village centre |
FIESTAS
One of the most traditional festivals in Genalguacil is the Festival of
the Castaña, the toasted chestnuts, which takes place in the month of
November. There are also many different events taking place during the
Encuentros de Arte del Valle del Genal, such as theatrical and musical
performances and competitions. Of a more religious character are the
Carnival in February, the Huerto del Niño, the Holy Week celebrations and
the festival in honour of the patron saint, San Pedro Mártir de Verona,
which takes place on April 29th. A special 24 hours of sport is
held in August, in which most of the young people from the village
participate.
GASTRONOMY AND CRAFTWORK
Among the culinary delights of
Genalguacil are the broths, the tomato soup, the hot gazpacho, the
mushroom omelettes and the delicious pork dishes. Many excellent pastries
are made here too, most of them by the people of the village themselves,
using local produce.
ORIENTEERING
The area in and around Genalguacil is
especially suitable for the sport of orienteering. The municipality
extends to the area known as the Bajo Genal, in the Ronda Mountains
region, offering a wonderful contrast of lush lowland and higher mountain
terrain. The olive groves run down to the banks of the river and into the
valley that borders with the municipality of Benarrabá, where pine trees
mix with corks and oaks right into the heart of Sierra Bermeja mountains.
The landscape at the top of this range is of particular ecological value,
with its pinsapos and other rare species, and it has been officially
declared a Nature Park by the Junta de Andalucía. The abundance of
irrigation water in the locality of Genalguacil has resulted in a
beautiful landscape of citrus plantations and vegetable plots.
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