Jimera de Líbar

Region: Located in the middle of mountains, between Cortes de la Frontera and Benaoján. A 26 kilometer round.

Area: 27.10 square kilometers

Number of inhabitants: 450

What: Jimeranos

Monuments: Parish Church, Finca Treasury and natural environment

Tourist information: Town Hall, Tel: 952 180 004

The people of the Ronda mountain range is situated in the middle front of the Sierra de Líbar on the left side of the river Guadiaro. The landscape of this county is composed of very rugged hills towns of oaks, cork trees and bushes that extend across the white rock of the mountain. Most of its land deal the two sides of the river Guadiaro, the rest lies between the river and the people, here the landscape becomes more gentle on the crop of olives, grain and vegetable gardens for irrigation.

Jimera of Líbar is divided into two villages well-defined: the highest part which is distinguished by its olive and oak and Barriada of the station or the lower part near the river. It is one of the most beautiful natural scenery of the area framed between the valley and Guadiaro Natural Park Grazalema.

The origin of the people do not have many details but we know from historical data collected in the vicinity of the Cave of the Pool of a possible settlement during the Neolithic and the findings in the estate of the Treasury and another small core in the Railway Station, which the town was already populated at the time of the Phoenicians, these places were found pieces of pottery and jewelry belonging to this culture.

Later, the Romans also settled on this land, proof of this are the remains of the causeway linking Gibraltar with the ancient city of Acinipo.

But the physiognomy of the people is typical of the Arab peoples, narrow streets and low houses. The name comes from the Arabic word Jimera inz Almaraz or Ximera which means Castle of Women, is to presuppose that there was a castle during the Arab occupation although there is no traces or indications of this, whether Arabic hidden endures the cemetery under the foundations of the current presumably church built on an ancient mosque whose minaret towers that are now viewed. The village's name appears on the source of a stone village that dates back to 1789.

In 1485 after the Christian reconquest the village becomes' Place of Ximera of Líbar. " He belonged to Marquesado of Carlos III in 1684.

Inside the village of Arab origin with narrow streets and labyrinthine layout, which will have its white houses on a square base and no more than two floors, adorned with balconies and brick facades and interior courtyards of their inheritance Mudejar, highlighting the building of City Hall. This building has a porch with a half-point arc, topped by a plume that occupies the clock. On the other hand, in the neighborhood of the station lies the shrine of Our Lady of Health, patron saint of Jimera.

Jimera of Líbar attracts mainly by the natural environment in which it finds itself. Their corners can travel through various routes walkers walked down so many times ranchers and farmers. We will find our way to stretches of paved with old roadways, remains of inns, mills of wheat or oil, admiring the colorful landscape. Much of these pathways a Spahr within at by Real Guadiaro almost parallel to the river at the place of the old Roman road that linked Acinipo with Gibraltar. The routes are created by circular bands so we can start from any starting point, for example:

Route 1: Jimera of Líbar, down by the Cañada del Olivar until the Sale of the King, by the Cañada Real continue until the Dehesa, climbed up to cross the Arroyo Atajate, walked through the village to the town.

Route 2: We leave the neighborhood of the station and walk along the river by to Cañada Real Ermita. Climb up the village of New Huerta, through Cabrerizo up Jimera of Líbar. Go back down, this time by the Cañada del Olivar to sell the King and returned by the Cañada Real Barriada to the station again.

In Jimera Líbar remains of the craft tradition in the work of wicker, the sample pole of olive wood and cane, roasted as the development of traditional liquors and desserts.

The paltos that make up the kitchen of Jimera are accused of traditional flavor characteristic of the Ronda. Among these dishes highlight the solid and strong. The cooked, the crumbs of vinegar or soups, and we should not stop eating tortillas tagarrinas of wheat or asparagus really exquisite.

Inside the handmade pastries prepared with natural products of the earth's Jimera Líbar notable for its chips dipped in honey, rosemary, the wine roscos, roscón, eggs Neva, sighs and muffins. In addition Jimera produces handmade liquors such as sarsaparilla and mistelles.

Festivals and fairs Jimera of Líbar celebrated in the month of August in honor of its patron saint La Virgen de la Salud. Of great tradition between the neighbors is the relocation of the Virgin from the Chapel of the Barriada of the station to the town in which accompanied all attendees. During these festivals are also held dances, competitions and other activities for Divertimentos of all.

The first day of November, as in the rest of the people of the Highlands, is typical of the tostón chestnuts in the town square.

At the end of February we celebrate the carnival where "Witches" was a midnight stroll through the streets of Jimera.

And in the spring are the festivals of the Virgin of Health, the neighborhood station and of the Cross, rising to the Cross Ventura.