Geographic location: Located between the Valley and Valley Guadiaro Genal, 18

Round and 141 kilometers from Malaga. It rises 745 meters of altitude

Area: 14 square kilometers

Number of inhabitants: 183

What: Atajateños

Monuments: Parish Church of San Jose, remains at Caves Valley and the workings of Genal

Tourist information: Town Hall Phone: 952 183 504

View Larger Map

Atajate is located 745 meters above sea level, between valleys and Guadiaro Genal, in a gentle valley between the peak Peñasblancas and the Cerro del Cuervo very close to this small white town of about 185 inhabitants, located in the road from Algeciras to Ronda. Emphasizes the homogeneity of their houses broken only by the height of the church. His environment full of olive groves, vineyards, oaks, fields of grain and scrub oaks that cover low-lying areas to relief limestone terrain.

The study of their history lets us know that in the era of prehistoric man was inhabited this village, have been found fragments of axes in the interior of some of their caves. The Romans also found Atajate as a good place to settle, so there are coins and pottery found here. But as in almost all villages in the mountains was during the Arab occupation in Andalusia where the village sits near the Cerro del Cuervo and was aware of the existence in those days of a castle or fortress because it was among the Kingdoms Granada and Sevilla face several times.

Would later become a strategic area in the contest between Moors and Christians lie between Round and Gaucin, there are still remnants of the walls of the old church that was part of the cemetery at that time.

During the war of independence against the French, Atajate was destroyed and became a solid refuge of bandits and smugglers who lived with the few remaining atajateños

The Cerro del Cuervo very close to the village with an altitude of about 782 meters above sea level, where they find remains of an ancient defensive wall in the so-called high-Santa Cruz, with all the charm of the landscape of the valley of Genal.

Within this small village of white stands the Church of San Jose built in the eighteenth century and later rebuilt in the nineteenth century. Its facade is composed of a simple home with baroque curved pediment that match point to the niche, now empty house, but before any image. This beautiful parish is equipped with a square tower, where his body last Ochavo is finished in shape pyramidal roof with ceramic tile and red.

We can also admire the cave near the village where they settled the first inhabitants of Atajate. The landscape is where is unmatched beauty with rock formations covered with thick bushes of broom, rockrose, thyme etc ... called by the locals of the Torcal Atajate. The view from the summit are of special mention, with panoramic views of the mountains, the valley of Genal and even the Rif mountains of Morocco.

Among much vegetation is not surprising that we see roe deer, deer, hedgehogs, badgers and weasels, as well as several species of bats.

Atajate is a town that continues to craft its traditions despite the passage of time, we can still find specialist craftsmen who weave baskets with sticks precious natural and espadrilles. Among the highlights are craft works as alpargatería, the sample pole of the olive tree and of esparto lawsuit.

The culinary specialty of the town is the hot gazpacho, made with a rehash of tomato and garlic with water and bread crumbs. Among the desserts sweetened with us the famous pestiños, piñonates, roscos cheese and almonds, all of them made in the traditional manner, and, handmade products themselves with the terrain.

In mid-August start of the patron festivals in Atajate during the day 16, 17 and 18; in honor of its patron San Roque, we can participate in various sporting events, tastings and culinary events in the religious involved all the people and anyone Visitors. The following month on September 8 is celebrated the feast of the patron saint of Atajate. On the other hand, Easter is celebrated the festival of Moors and Christians with a special representation of the residents of the village. In late November, we can enjoy the holiday the Day of the Mosto where attendees can sample all the different and tasty juice that gives the land of Atajate.