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Municipality of Gaucín (Andalusia, Spain)

Málaga Province

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image by Blas Delgado, 15 Oct 2005

Introduction

See also:

Málaga Province (Andalusia, Spain)
Andalusia (Spain)
Spain

Introduction

Basic data:

Size: 97,30 Km²
Population: Approx. 1,800
Residents known as: Gaucineños or Gaucinenses
Monuments: águila Castle, Church of San Sebastián, Carmelite Convent, Fountain of the Seven Tubes.
Geographic location: In the GenalValley, 36 kilometres from Ronda and 130 from Malaga, at 626 metres above sea level.
Tourist information: Town Hall, Plaza Guzmán El Bueno, 23. 29480.
Phone: 952 510 000
Fax: 952 151 172
On the Internet: www.gaucinet.com

Gaucín has one of the most varied landscapes in the province. It is situated in the Sierra del Hacho mountains, whose highest peak is 1,011 metres. From the town one can see magnificent views over the surrounding area, with the rocky landscape on the sides of the Hacho peak and the lower area of scrub, comprising cork, oak and pine trees mixing with the chestnut trees and wild olives. In the background is the Genal valley, its attractive agricultural land keeping pace with the meandering river banks and the small farm houses and vegetable plots on both sides of the river.

The origin of the town’s name is Roman, although it did not actually become an urban centre until the Moors arrived. The Romans built the castle there, and the Moors reinforced it in their time, the town growing around the castle. The name – Sair Guazan or strong rock – refers to the peak on which the castle, now in ruins, was actually built.

Gaucín was one of the most difficult towns for the Christian armies to conquer, due to its dominant situation over the surrounding mountain range. The French forces destroyed the town in the War of Independence, killing all they found in their path as a reprisal for the harassment they suffered from local guerrilla fighters. The town recovered quickly, nevertheless, and soon attained strong economic development that is still apparent in the town we see today.

Blas Delgado, Oct 15 2005