The Town Hall and
the recently reformed plaza |
Guaro is situated on the road that links the Costa
del Sol with the Ronda Mountains. It is the entrance to the Nature Park of
the Sierra de las Nieves Mountains, and the area has been named by UNESCO as
a Biospheric Reserve.
All this gives us some idea of how beautiful this area is, but the town
itself has its own special beauty too. Guaro is built on the side of a steep
hill, and its narrow and winding streets rise and fall with the mountainous
terrain they are built on. Here, this steep area is almost car-free, since
only the bravest of local drivers would take their vehicles into these
streets.
In recent years the local authorities have made great headway in improving
the town’s infrastructure, while the range of overnight accommodation
available has improved considerably, turning Guaro into one of the most
important cultural centres in the region from May to September.
The two biggest events in Guaro’s festive calendar are the August feria
and the Luna Mora festival, which takes place on the second and third weeks
in September. During the Luna Mora, the streets turn into medieval Moorish
bazaars, while Andalusian and Arabic music is played in the streets, belly
dancers perform and everybody tastes the best of the local produce
available. It is especially pretty by night, when thousands of candles light
up the streets.
The history of the town goes back to pre-historic times, as we can see from
the remains discovered in the Ardite area. There are also Roman remains
here, in the Polvillar area, and evidence of the Moorish settlements in
Guaro can be found in the town itself and in Guaro Viejo.
Guaro has been a Villa since 1614, when it was awarded this status by King
Felipe IV, and it became a county in 1648, the title of Conde going to Juan
Chumacero Sotomayor y Carrillo Laso de la Vega, a title that his descendents
still hold.
Places
to be visited
 |
Church
of San Miguel
The church was built in 1505 and reformed a century later by Pedro
Díaz de Palacios, chief clerk of works of the diocese of the
time. At that stage the roof was restructured, the bell tower was
built and a new sacristy was added onto the main building.
Following the Civil War, the building was once more reconstructed,
this time by Enrique Atencia. Its ground plan is in the shape of
the Latin cross without side naves. There is a semicircular arch
between Tuscan pillars on the front façade, with a balcony
overhead on top of which stands a cornice and niche holding the
image of San Miguel. To the right is the square tower in two
storeys, opening to a semicircular arch on the second floor that
holds the church bells. The bell tower, sacristy, choir and altars
have been reformed as recently as 1996 and 1997.
Hermitage of the Santuario de la Cruz del
Puerto
The hermitage, situated at about half a kilometre from the town
centre, dates from the 18th century and has recently
been reformed. It was formerly the spot where the people of the
place waited to emigrate to other regions and countries in times
past, given its position at a number of roads that cross there,
and from there too one can see most of the municipality. It used
to have the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, but in our own
time the image of the Cristo Limpias presides over this sanctuary.
Hermitage of San Isidro
This is situated on the banks of the Río Grande, amidst a large
eucalyptus grove. It was built in 1992 in the Andalusian style,
with a central niche to hold the image of San Isidro Labrador,
patron of the agricultural workers, during the romerías. On May
15th every year a romería takes place at this
hermitage, and on the Sunday of the weekend in question a huge
paella is made for all those present, and a mass is celebrated in
honour of the saint.
Los Rulos del Molino
This is a small museum of olive oil and popular arts and crafts.
Inside is a reconstructed electric oil press dating from the
beginning of the 20th century, a press operated by
animal power and a screw operated wine press from the 18th
century.
|
| Where
to eat |
Venta Gallardo. Large terrace, dining room.
Coín-Ronda road, Km 52,5. Tel: 952 450 787.
Venta El Abuelo. Large
terrace, dining room. Coín-Ronda road, Km 55. Tel: 952 112 095.
Venta Río Grande. Terrace and
dining room. Coín-Ronda road, Km 52. Tel: 952 452 245.
Bar Rincón del Coscón. Pza.
de la Constitución, 2. Tel: 952 457 877.
La Taberna de Doña Catalina. Tel:
952 457 869.
Tapas
Bar La Parra. Pza.
Constitución, 12, Bar Villa de Guaro.
Avda. de Andalucía, 38 and Bar Paquito.
|
| Where
to sleep |
Hostal
Villa de Guaro (Hs**). 8 rooms. Excursions organised.
Calle Monda, 10. Tel: 952 457 884/952 453 497.
Reservations centre Sierra de las Nieves:
902 11 11 66
Rural
Accommodation in the province of Malaga
(in
Spanish)
|
Decorated balconies |
FIESTAS
The feria in Guaro takes place in August, and a month later, in the second
and third weeks in September, the festival of the Luna Mora takes place.
Another of the more traditional festivals here is the Mayordomas, taking
place on December 7th and 8th every year in honour
of the Virgen Inmaculada Concepción, patron saint of the town. This event
dates back to the 19th century, and involves the selection of
between two and six young girls between the ages of 14 and 16 to care for
and adorn the image of the Virgin in the parish church. Their task lasts
for the entire year, at which stage the Virgin is carried out in
procession through the streets, accompanied by the Mayordomas, the people
of the town and visitors from other areas. And finally, the Romería of
San Isidro takes place in the middle of May.
GASTRONOMY AND CRAFTWORK
The almond is the principal ingredient in
most of the dishes associated with Guaro, such as the almond tarts, the
doughnuts and other pastries made locally.
There
are also many other dishes that one would expect to find in this area,
such as the various soups, hot and cold, the game, rabbit in garlic and
the delicious pan Guareño, bread of Guaro. The El Molino de Guaro is a
local co-operative dedicated to the making of virgin olive oil, flavoured
with almonds and apples. It has a delicate, fruity taste that makes it an
ideal accompaniment for salads and bread.
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