Alcaucín, its name deriving from the Arabic ‘alquasin’, meaning ‘bow’, lies 54 km inland from Málaga in the foothills of the Sierra Tejeda mountains and the municipal boundary stretches as far as Granada province.
The nearby Zalia Castle dates back to Phoenician times and was also used by the Moors during their occupation of Spain. Both the village and the castle were reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485.
The village itself, situated on the mountainside, has steep, narrow streets and whitewashed buildings.
Statistics
Area: 45 square kilometres
Altitude: 508 metres above sea level
Population: +/- 1,500
Distance from Nerja: 45 km
Travelling Time: +/- 40 minutes
Location
Places of Interest
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario and the 18th century Ermita del Calvario.
Cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya and Cueva Abrigo de las Grajas, where Neanderthal human remains have been found relating to the Le Moustier era of the mid Palaeolithic period, over 30,000 years ago.
Remains of the Zalia castle.
Arabic baths with sulphurous waters at Las Majadas.
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Ensalada de Aguacates (avocado salad), Potaje (stew) and Guisado de papas (potato stew), Tortillas de bacalao con miel (cod omelette with honey), Lomo de cerdo al ajillo (pork loin in garlic), Choto (kid), Gachas (a flour and milk custard with sugar and cinnamon), Ring-shaped wine cakes and Oil cakes. And Muscatel wine is the local tipple.
Local Festivals
San Sebastian (Jan 20th) – A celebration and procession in honour of the Patron Saint of the village.
Semana Santa – Holy Week celebrations
Fiesta de San Isidro (May 15th – 17th) – A fiesta and traditional romería (pilgrimage) to El Alcazar.
Feria de San Sebastian (First weekend in August)
Useful Info
Town Hall
Tel: 95 251 00 02
Where to Stay
Hotel Romero**
Puente Don Manuel
Telephone: 952510804
Casa El Lagarillo
Camino de la Pia, 5
Telephone: 952510052
Fax: 952510052
Casa El Minarete
Camino de la Pía, 5
Telephone: 952510052
Fax: 952510052
Casa Jardín
Camino de la Pia, 5
Telephone: 952510052
Fax: 952510052
Casa Las Alberquillas
Diseminado, 251 Pago Alberquillas 3
Telephone: 952276229
Fax: 952276556
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ruralandalus.es
Casa Patio de los Naranjos
Camino de la Pia, 5
Telephone: 952510052
Fax: 952510052
Casa Puente Piedra
Las Majadas, 11
Telephone: 952276229
Fax: 952276556
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ruralandalus.es
Cortijo Carmina
Pecho Colorado, s/n
Telephone: 952510093
Fax: 952510093
El Refugio del Alcazar
Camino del Alcazar
Telephone: 952224880
A house in the Parque Natural El Alcazar owned by the Town Hall and used by camping groups. It has two bedrooms and a large lounge with fireplace.