Casabermeja

What to See in Casabermeja

The Nuestra Señora del Socorro parish church is not only the most important monument in Casabermeja but also the most visible, since its large tower can be made out from very far away and is one of the symbols of the village. It was built in the first half of the sixteenth century and underwent important modifications in the eighteenth. Its internal structure follows the pattern of churches of the era: three naves, very large in this case, separated by semicircular arches. On the left side of the church is the side chapel of the Virgen del Carmen, with profuse baroque decoration, and on the right is the side chapel of Jesus of Nazareth. The aforementioned large tower dominates the exterior. It has a quadrangular base and five levels, and a roof of Arabic tile.

Outside the town centre but very close to it is the San Sebastián Town Cemetery, visible from Las Pedrizas expressway. This graveyard is practically unique due to the peculiarity of its whitewashed mausoleums, tombs and pinnacles. Its originality, and also the meticulous care it is given, was recognised by the National and Regional Governments, which designated it as a National Monument in 1980 and a Historic-Artistic Monument. On All Saints’ Day (November 1), local women whitewash the recesses and vaults, add flowers to them, and light up candles for the dead. The three-part structure of wall recesses (the niche for the dead person, the gravestone, and a decorative front) has led visitors to believe they buried the dead in a vertical position in Casabermeja. The cemetery’s hours are 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on working days and 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. on holidays. Hours are subject to seasonal changes. Check with the Town Hall before visiting at (+34) 952 758 377 and (+34) 952 758 458.

The Torre Zambra, only 4 kilometres from the village and very close to the old Camino Real (Royal Road), was built in the thirteenth century on a site where no greater height was necessary to watch over the territory. It commands one of the most astonishing views of the province of Málaga, in terms of both the landscape that can be seen and the beauty of the setting. The tower can be accessed from the old Casabermeja-Málaga road, Km. 14.5, taking a 1.5-kilometre detour lane.

Due to their great archaeological interest, a visit must be made to the sites that have been discovered within the municipality of Casabermeja. To those that have already been mentioned, such as the Neolithic burial site at Monte Calvario and the Peñas Cabrera paintings, should be added the Megalithic tombs on the El Lagar and La Chapera hills, and also those at El Cortijo del Hospital. The best example of this type of burial is the dolmen complex in neighbouring Antequera.

Casabermeja’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

At the very beginning of the year, the village celebrates the day of its patron saint, San Sebastián, on 20 January. The following month the pagan takes the place of the religious during the carnival, which has happily recovered, and constitutes a major event for the village. On 25 April, the San Marcos pilgrimage takes place, a day when the people go to the country to fulfil the tradition of "tying up the Devil" and eating hornazos (a kind of pastry).

The four days of the Corpus festivals are observed in this area amidst great pomp and ceremony. Splendid floral decorations cover the streets and houses along the route of the Santísimo (Holy Sacrament), which visits the street altars that have been erected in the open. On the day of San Juan, the burning of the "Júas" (Judas) is used as an excuse for a long night of fun.

In recent years Casabermeja has begun to regain the former splendour of its Semana Santa (Holy Week). Thus now, after a difficult period, there are four brotherhoods that bear their images in processions: on Holy Thursday, Jesús Nazareno and the Virgen de los Dolores (Jesus of Nazareth and the Virgin of Sorrows, anonymous eighteenth-century works); on Good Friday afternoon the brotherhood of El Cristo Crucificado y la Virgen de la Piedad (The Sacrificed Christ and the Virgin of Piety), and that night El Santo Sepulcro y la Soledad (The Holy Tomb and Solitude). Finally, on Easter Sunday, the Brotherhood of El Resucitado y la Virgen de la Alegría take their images out. Virgin Mary wears a cloak of flowers.

On the third Saturday of June all Bermejos and many people from other places impatiently await the opening of the Festival de Cante Grande (flamenco music festival), which, over its more than 30 years of existence, has established itself not only as the dean of all such festivals held in the province, but also as one of those offering the greatest artistic quality.

Casabermeja’s Gastronomy

As is to be expected from its geographic setting, plato de los Montes (a hearty dish of chorizo sausage, pork, fried eggs, peppers and potatoes) is one of the most characteristic dishes here, without prejudice to conejo al ajillo (rabbit in garlic sauce) and chivo en pepitoria (a stewed kid dish), which are eaten at any time of the year. Summer is the time for classic gazpacho (a cold soup) and olla de la era (a soup), and winter is the season of migas (a dish made with fried bread crumbs, usually accompanied by the tasty local wine). Borrachuelos (sponge cakes), magdalenas (small pastries made in a mould), pan de bizcocho (an oven-baked pastry), roscos de vino (spiral pastries) and tortas de aceite (olive oil cakes) are a good sample of Casabermeja’s confectionery.

More Information About Casabermeja

Hiking and Walking in Casabermeja

There are four hiking routes in Casabermeja:

Route of Fountains (Water and Rock):

Route to Zambra Tower:

Route of Façades and Mallén Viewpoint:

Route of Peñas de Cabrera:

A short, 2-kilometre route across the woods for families (including children above 6). Be sure to wear long trousers to avoid pricking yourself with branches in the leafy virgin woods. An easy-to-moderately difficult, 15-kilometre route along trails in excellent condition but with some slopes. It takes hikers to the Mallén scenic viewpoint, the highest point in Casabermeja, affording stunning views of the area. An easy, 8-kilometre route that is apt for hiking groups or mountain bikers. 2.5 kilometres after Venta Paras Largas there is the gem of this hiking tour, namely, the tower. A loop route visiting all the water points in Casabermeja, including El Chorro stream and its fountain, Mitra rocks, the ravines, El Calvario scenic viewpoint, the Fountain of Parras Viejas, the Fountain of Parras Nuevas, Castellum Aquae, Abajo Fountain (thought to be associated with fertility), La Alcubilla, and back to El Chorro.