Serrania de Ronda | Andalucía | Spain
This attractive entry to Andalucia’s restaurant scene sits in the station at Arriate, a small town near Ronda. This restaurant is now owned and managed by Frank Röttgering and the chef is Isa Molinillo Garcia. Frank has created a warm and intimate atmosphere in the former railway goods shed. The delicious, healthy and varied dishes that are served are more than reasonably priced. Here you can choose from an extended menu. Or you let Frank make his recommendations. A simple Russian salad or one filled with a cornucopia of delectable tastes? A choice of meat, fish or vegetarian… but always using excellent quality fresh, local produce. In the summer dine ‘al fresco’ by sitting out on the terrace whilst enjoying the spectacular views over the valley towards the mountains of the Sierra de Grazelama. Here you can sample our homemade dishes by the platform as the driver of the last train for the day gives you a friendly wave. In winter snuggle up by the open fire whilst sipping a hot cup of coffee accompanied by a slice of homemade cake. Recover in the afternoon with a local casserole after a long hike through the surrounding countryside… and in the evening […]
The restaurant is run by a cooperative of young people who believe in the future of the area. They opened to the public in autumn 2002. It is 19 Km. from Ronda on the A-369 to Algeciras in Atajate (Malaga), and the building is very visible at the entrance of the village. The name, “Audalazar” is one of the tributary streams of the Genal river, which is between Atajate and Alpandeire, but is also a Moorish village that disappeared in 1570, and comes from the Arabic Wadi-al-jara, Guidazara, Vidazara, Udazara, whose meaning was “river stones”.
AIL (Agente de Innovación Local): Javier Gallego
Pharmacist: Patricia Guzmán Fernández
Fernando Fernández Bautista is the Mayor of Faraján, a white mountain village located on the right side of the Genal River.
The Cueva de la Pileta (Cave of the Pool in English) is in the province of Málaga (Spain) has cave paintings and was discovered in 1905. The cave had been discovered by a Spanish farmer called José Bullón in 1905 who was looking for bat guano around the original entrance in a place called the abyss of the bats. He had assumed that the cave markings were made by Moors. He had found human remains and markings on the walls. It was investigated by Abbe Henri Breuil, a French Catholic priest, archaeologist, anthropologist, ethnologist and geologist, who had come to Spain because of Colonel Verner’s reporting of this important cave in Benaoján, near Ronda. Verner had himself lowered into the cave and later reported his findings which attracted international interest. Breuil was able to identify nearly fifty drawings and some of these resembled symbols. He stayed for two months funded by the Prince of Monaco. The final scientific paper was also authored by Verner. The son of the man who found the cave managed to find a better entrance in 1924 and that is the one used today. The same man made a discovery of an unknown chamber that gave […]
Crystal-clear and exceptionally cold water rushes out of the mountainside and into a natural lagoon. A fantastic spot for a picnic and/or to cool off after a morning’s sightseeing in the Serrania Ronda. Take the road from Ronda to Benaoján and look for a parking area on the right. There’s a small sign for the hotel/restaurant Cueva del Gato to help you locate it. Park at the top and walk down the concrete road to the hotel. Cross the wooden footbridge (in need of repair) over the river, and then under the railway bridge. If you head up to the mouth of the cave be careful – the stone steps can be slippery and there is no handrail. It is forbidden to venture into the cave.
The Guardia Civil is the oldest law enforcement agency in Spain. It is organised as a military force charged with police duties under the authority of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. As part of its daily duties, the Guardia Civil patrols rural areas (including highways and ports) and investigates crimes there, whilst the Policía Nacional deals with safety at urban situations. Many towns and cities also have a Policía Local. The three forces are nationally coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior. The Guardia Civil is usually stationed at casas cuartel, which are both minor residential garrisons and fully equipped police stations. Patron: Our Lady of the Pillar Motto: El honor es mi divisa (Honour is my badge)
It was the Phoenicians who introduced the wine cultivation to the Northern and Western countries of the Mediterranean. In Spain the cultivation of vineyards took place between the 2nd and 1st century BC around the Mediterranean shores including all of Andalusia. Of particular significance was the Roman period around 50 BC, when Ronda and more precisely Acinipo (‘Ronda La Vieja’ – Land of Wines) experienced the golden age of wine growing and even grapes were minted on coins. Since then wine culture has been maintained with the production of different red, white and sweet wines along with spirits. The wine growing area consisted of 112.000 ha in Málaga province, of which 13.494 ha were located in the ‘Serrania de Ronda’, before the phylloxera pest reached the area in 1878. At the end of the 20th century new techniques were introduced to the viticulture, using different grape varieties to produce red,white and rose wines. This initiative was started by Friedrich Schatz in 1982, and followed by Alfonso of Hohenlohe in the 90’s. The results were truly spectacular producing wines of excellent quality, whilst original, fresh and aromatic. The ‘Serrania de Ronda’ has been repopulated with small bodegas as well as innovative […]
Lovely country house with stunning views and perfect location. Only 3 km from Ronda. Sleeps up to 14 people.
Pharmacist: Manuel Gálvez Humanes
Restaurante Rincon del Cani offers traditional and imaginative cuisine in El Colmenar. The village of El Colmenar is found nestled in one of the narrower Guadiaro river valleys. Flanked on one side by the river and on the other by the mighty Los Alcornocales Parque Natural (Natural Park). Around the village there exists evidence that confirms that the valley had initially been inhabited in the Roman era. However, it wasn’t until close to the end of the 19th century with the construction of the railway line that the population started to gather around the recently built railway station building, giving birth to the community now known as both El Colmenar and Estación de Gaucin. Subsequently the creation of the hydroelectric plant gave the final push to the formation of this village, which became one of the most populated in the area. The village is seated within the municipality of Cortes de La Frontera. The Buitreras canyon, declared a Natural Monument of Geological interest by the Junta de Andalucia, is a narrow gorge 3km up river from the hydroelectric plant. Its high vertical walls over 100 metres tall lead down to the winding course of the Guadiaro river – a haven […]
The Mayor of Benarrabá is Silvestre Barroso Jarillo.
AIL (Agente de Innovación Local): Joaquín Márquez
Pujerra, in the Genal valley, is home to a fascinating museum that celebrates the area’s fame as a producer of chestnuts and also gives an insight into how the people of the area used to live in the 19th century. The exhibits are spread over three floors of an old house located in the heart of the village. On the ground floor is an area dedicated to the chestnut and its importance to the local economy. There is also a reception area, tourist information point and a small shop. Access to the second floor is through a small courtyard. There are recreations of a salon, kitchen and bedroom of the period, while on the third floor is another exhibition space with a display of children’s toys in a nursery. Visits to the museum are by appointment only. Contact the town hall on 952 183 513.
Francisco Javier Benito Tirado is the Mayor of this pretty village located in the north of the Serrania de Ronda.
Maria Auxiliadora Sánchez González is the Mayoress of the smallest village of Malaga province.
Welcome to our guest apartments in the Guadiaro Valley. We are delighted to be able to offer you a wonderful holiday in a truly beautiful part of Spain. Our two studio apartments are situated above the main house with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Each apartment has its own shaded terrace that is perfect for relaxing, reading a book or dining al fresco. The swimming pool is set beside a shaded pergola in the garden where you will also find lots of fruit. There is a barbeque area for regular barbeque, plancha and paella evenings. Nestled between the Natural Parks of Grazalema and Alcornocales and just beside the little village of La Cañada del Real Tesoro, also known as Estación de Cortes de la Frontera, this valley is a haven for all sorts of birds and animals and is home to magnificent olive, cork and oak trees. This is a holiday experience which combines the tranquility of the Spanish countryside with the opportunity of taking the car or train and exploring the cities and the coast of Andalucia. Our two studio apartments are situated above the main house with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Each apartment has its […]
Español
