Gaucín

Geographic location: Located in the Valley of Genal, Round of 36 kilometers and 130,

Malaga, to 626 meters above sea level.

Area: 97.30 square kilometers

Number of residents: 1,800 approximately

What: Gaucineños or Gaucinenses

Monuments: Castillo del Aguila, Parish Church of San Sebastian, the Convent

Carmelites, Fountain of Six Spouts.

Numbers of interest:

City Hall 952 15 10 00

Taxi 952 15 11 30

Guardia Civil 952 15 10 10

Gaucin is located in the Sierra del Hacho of 1011 meters above sea level. Occurs in one of the most varied landscapes of the region bushes between the rocks of the mountains, cork oak tree, oak, pine, chestnut and Acebuche blended with the landscape of the river Genal to the fund.

The origin of the village dates from the era of the Roman Empire, but becomes much more

importance with the arrival of the Arabs. The village grew around the wall

built by the Romans and later the Arabs or reconstruirían day in ruins and

abandoned.

The name of Gaucin also comes from this time because the settlement occurred on the rock that bears the name of Sair guaza or rock hard.

He was one of the most difficult to conquer by the Catholic Monarchs because of their

and the strengthening strategic position that made him the Arabs, apparently here

died in their attempt to raid the town, Alfonso Perez de Guzman, Guzman el Bueno, in September 1039. After the Christian conquest was a revolt of the Arabs, which was answered harshly by the Marquis of Cadiz and the Count of Cifuentes. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Gaucín offered a place that meets the security and suitable refuge compared to the looting of the Berber pirates.

During the War of Independence against the French troops, Gaucin was razed and many killed in a retaliatory action by bandits against its troops. Later managed to recover a large increase economic development and social represented in the physiognomy of the people as seen in some of the facades of its main street or in the construction of a hotel in the early nineteenth century.

Castle ruins of the Eagle

In the highest part of the village there are these ruins of Castillo del Aguila or

Gaucin. It houses several restorations of them after the War of Independence and

another to strengthen it in 1842 by mandate of General Espartero. After entering one of its two hard entries, are on the inside three tanks and an underground mine or way of escape, the work of the Arabs. Next to the castle is the chapel of the Holy Child, who made light of the barracks and powder keg in ancient times.

Church of San Sebastian and Ermita Veracruz

Within the inner city is this church, built at the beginning of the sixteenth century and a

century later reformed. Consists of three naves separated by square pillars. The facade of brick tower houses a simple two bodies. This church was converted in 1704 for use in the convent of Discalced Carmelites. The interior will save an image with a famous folk legend that says that in the vicinity of Gaucin, a man, Juan de Dios, received a divine call to aparecérsele baby Jesus in person. In remembrance of this prodigy, it is said that the Holy gave the picture to the people.



Civil buildings

It is important to note that due to the economic boom experienced in Gaucín built houses belonging to wealthy families during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with its facade decorated with heraldic shields on the lintel of their doors, as well as the rich variety of typical forging rondeña on their balconies and windows. Another of the most interesting works of the urban core is the source of Six Spouts, dating from the seventeenth century.

Crafts in Gaucin is represented by the master at work in the forge and

forge, pottery, cane and ceramics and design and realization of textile materials.

The cuisine of Gaucin is similar to that of the rest of processed villages in the mountains with

produce. Special mention are its sausages from the pig. In the field of the pastries are famous alfajores, the roscos whites, donuts and the sighs of almond-based recipes handicraft.

One of the most popular festivals of Gaucin is celebrated on Easter Sunday Resurrection of the so-called Toro Cuerda great tradition in its midst.

In June Gaucín all involved the burning of bonfires on the night of San Juan.

In August takes place in a fair Gaucín that recalls the ancient and important Feria de Ganado who gathered in the Dehesa to farmers in the area, between the days from 4 to August 7 and which also commemorated the feast day of Our Lady of the Nieves, patron saint of Gaucin. Today is celebrated only his playful side with dances, exhibition booths, street etc.

Before the end of the month they celebrate the festival of Adelfilla, in which carts and horses, pilgrims, dancing, wine and Mass Rociera fill a day that announces the arrival of the fair in September.

In September they celebrate the Feast of the Holy Child-popular religious tradition that commemorates the apparition of Jesus-Child to San Juan de Dios by the year 1536 in the Adelfilla, old path of Gibraltar, where today stands the Hermitage .