Alozaina extends from the Sierra Prieta mountain range in the north to the Río Grande valley in the south and links the eastern watershed of the Ronda Mountains with the River Guadalhorce valley. These are two very different regions that make the scenery in the area quite diverse.
Alozaina fell to the Christian forces on 21 June 1484 and, according to chronicles, without offering resistance. However, despite offering no resistance, King Fernando ordered the forests to be cut in the entire region and the village to be burned, and the village remained uninhabited for several years.
During the Moorish uprising in the Ronda highlands the village was attacked by troops masquerading as Spanish soldiers and was also carried out while the men-folk were away working in the fields. Much to the surprise of the Moors, the women defended the village and with great gusto, eventually forcing the Moors to retreat. One woman who distinguished herself by her courage was María Sagredo, whom the king appointed as a lieutenant of Spanish troops, with both rank and tenure.
Statistics
Area: 34.5 square kilometres
Altitude: 386 mtrs above sea level
Population: +/- 2,300
Distance from Nerja: 107 km
Driving Time: +/- 1 hour 40 mins
Average temperature: 17 degrees
Average rainfall: 700 litre per square metre
Natives: Pecheros
Location
Places of Interest
Parque Mirador
Modern reconstruction of the old fortress affording magnificent views of the area.
Torreón de María Sagredo
The locality’s ancient castle took the name of María Sagredo, the heroine who defended the village from the Moorish invasion with commendable courage. Only part of a tower and vestiges of the wall remain from the original structure, the rest is the result of reconstruction carried out in the mid-twentieth century that allowed it to be restored for public use.
On the night of July 6, 1570, a troop of 600 men commanded by Lorenzo Alfaqui and El Jebali and dressed as Spaniards to fool the (80) locals, attempted to raid and rob the town.
There were only seven men in a position to defend the village so women disguised as men took up arms. One of these was Maria Sagredo who seeing her father wounded, made her way through the hordes, climbed the tower and defended bravely as the Moors continued their attack. The Moors, seeing the strength and tenacity of these people who were obviously willing to die rather than surrender, decided to retreat, but not before setting light to thirty houses and stealing cattle 3000.
Arco de Alozaina
This is actually a XX Century construction but built as a sort of homage to the past and has since become quite a popular tourist attraction.
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Ana
The church dates from the XVIII Century and was built between 1770 and 1774, although various inscriptions indicate that construction, or an earlier example, could have been started in the XVI Century. Most likely it was built on the same site as a former church with some of the original materials being recycled.
Fuente “El Albar”
Necrópolis y Ermita Mozárabe del Hoyo de los Peñones
Unfortunately not open to the public.
Local Festivals
Carnaval de la Harina (Late February). Be prepared to be covered in flour!
Semana Santa
Romería de la Santa Cruz a Jorox (First Sunday in May)
Velada de San Juan (June 23rd/24th)
Feria de Julio (July 25th and 26th)
La Almena flamenca (End of August)
Feria de la aceituna (Middle of September)
Corpus Cristi
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Conejo al ajillo (rabbit, with garlic), Conejo con tomate (rabbit with tomato, Ajo porro frito con huevos (thick garlic soup with eggs), Gachas (a soup made with flour and seasonings), Potaje de garbanzos con bacalao y ajos (chickpea stew with garlic and codfish), Gazpacho and Gazpachillo (varieties of cold vegetable soup) Pan de higo (fig bread) and Rosquillas de miel (spiral pastries with honey).