Gaucín

Paseo Ana Toval S/N, Gaucín, 29480

(+34) 952 15 10 00

http://www.gaucin.es/

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Information: What to see; How to get here; More information; Town history; Gastronomy

In the south of the region of the Serrania de Ronda, and in the foothills of the Sierra del Hacho, Gaucin is known for its beautiful views as the 'Balcony of the Serrania'. From this white town, you can contemplate the Sierra Crestellina, the Genal valley and the Mediterranean. And its Castillo del Aguila has been one of the strategic points of defence along the centuries, from Roman times to the French invasion or the Carlist Wars by the Spanish throne.
History, its natural environment and its white houses adorned with railings and balconies, the work of craftsmen of forge and forging, are some of the reasons why Gaucin conquer you.
IN GAUCÍN YOU CANNOT MISS
MONUMENTS
The main monument of Gaucin is the Castillo del Aguila, visible from almost anywhere in the town. This fortification was built by the Romans, later occupied by the Visigoths and finally reinforced by the Arabs. During the Carlist Wars (civil strife for the throne of Spain that took place in the XIX century) was used as a military fortress, but an explosion in 1848 destroyed most of it. It consists of three walled enclosures that preserve several towers, three wells, an underground escape passage and the chapel of the Holy Child. This chapel dates back from the XVII century and in its interior, a polychrome image of San Juan de Dios is found.
In the complex of the Castillo del Aguila is the Museum of the Canyon, where a tour of the role of Gaucin in the war against the French troops of Napoleon is made.
To know the traditions and tasks of rural life of the Serrania de Ronda, you must visit the Ethnographic Museum of Gaucin. This centre exhibits an extensive catalogue of instruments and ancient tools.
In the Cañamaque street, you will find the parish church of San Sebastian, built in 1505 on a mosque. Although it is of baroque style, its facade and bell tower have a renaissance air due to a major reshuffle in the XVII century.
It also highlights the Convent of the Carmelites Descalzas, which is situated on the old chapel of Veracruz. Built in the early XVIII century, the convent was abandoned in 1835 and is now used as headquarters of the Cultural House of Gaucin.
In the central square of Gaucin you'll find the Fountain of the Six Spouts. Built in 1628 and of baroque style, it has six carved stone faces emerging from two separate water jets.
If you go to Gaucín from Málaga, we recommend taking the Mediterranean Motorway (A-7) to Manilva and then the A-377 until you reach the town. The journey takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra del Hacho, Gaucin offers a view of its surroundings: the Sierra Crestellina, the Genal valley and the Campo de Gibraltar conform with the horizon of this viewpoint of town. You will discover on your visit that Gaucín offers one of the most varied landscapes of the province, with gardens, river vegetation and indigenous trees such as oaks, pines, oaks, olive or brown. an environment for trekking and tourism activities in nature.
POPULAR FESTIVALS
The ideal month for exploring Gaucin is August, when the fair is held in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves. Like many other towns in the province of Malaga, this festival has its origin in cattle fairs. Dances, booths, performances, parades, competitions and fun activities for younger ones will not lack in this celebration.
One of the most unique celebrations of Gaucin, which is directly linked to its history is the taking of Gaucin by the French. Every March 19, the Gaucinenses dress up in vintage style and recreate the taking of the town by Napoleon's troops and the subsequent liberation of the town.
If you visit Gaucin in July, you can not miss one of the celebrations that bears the Festival of Provincial Tourist Singularity. This is the Flamenco Festival of Cork Genal Valley and has the Castillo del Aguila as its scenery.
The passion with which the locals enjoy Carnival makes it another good time to come and discover Gaucin. A tent is installed for the occasion in the Plaza de la Fuente, where a goddess of Carnival is named, and there are several performances by troupes and of jokes. In addition, on Sunday, the Children's Carnival is organized.
Several citations of religious character mark the calendar of celebrations of the white town, on the occasion of the day of San Juan, the town organizes a picnic pilgrimage to the Assault del Cura, where after lunch, the activities, competitions and dances take place wherein all the Neighbours participate. Gaucin also welcomes the emergence of the Child Jesus before Saint John of God in its festival of the Holy Child, with a pilgrimage at the end of August and the procession of the image and in early September.
CUISINE
As we approach the kitchens of Gaucin, we discover that it stands out for its tradition and its excellent combination of seasonal products. Among the most typical dishes you'll find the kitchen of acinojos (acerones and fennel), migas (toasted bread with garlic, more vegetables and pork) and gazpacho of sour orange, original hot soup with a dash of sour orange juice. As for Desserts, white bread rolls, the rosquillos of almond, alfajores (special Christmas sweet) and sighs (meringue cakes).
Town history

The Romans were the first to settle in Gaucín. The village, however, was founded by the Arabs, who called it "Sair-Guazan", meaning "strong rock". The Medieval village was torn apart by the conflict between Christian and Muslim dwellers, courtesy of its geographical location.
It was in one of these clases that Guzmán el Bueno (the Goodman) lost his life. It was in 1309, when he was fighting the Arabs near the Castle of El Águila. On 27 May 1485, Gaucín surrendered without a fight to the troops of the Catholic Monarchs, led by the Marquis of Cádiz.
Like other villages in the sierras, Gaucín put up fierce resistance to Napoleon"s invasion. In the end, however, it succumbed to the charge of the French troops. On 8 July 1810, the invaders entered the village, killed many and plundered the local treasures. They also set the town and parish church archives on fire and threw the image of the Holy Child away from the walls of the Castle of El Águila.

Legend has it…: Gaucín
Legend has it that, in 1536, a street book vendor called "Juan Ciudad" (St John of God) met a barefoot child. He offered the boy his shoes. Since the shoes were too big, Juan Ciudad carried the boy on his shoulders. When he stopped to drink some water at the fountain in La Adelfilla, the boy was transfigured before him. He produced a pomegranate (granada in Spanish) and a cross and said, "John of God, Granada will be your cross. Give testimony of this vision and give Gaucín an image of me as an infant."
Some years later, Juan Ciudad established a hospital in Granada and carried out the project Jesus had envisaged for him: a sculpture of the Holy Child for Gaucín. On 7 September 1540, he fooled the guards at the Castle of El Águila and placed the image on the site now occupied by shrine.
Gaucín's cuisine stands out for its tradition and an excellent combination of its seasonal products. Its most typical dishes are the cocina de acinojos, migas and gazpacho. Its pastries have vestiges of the Moorish tradition. Among the sweets that stand out are the white doughnuts, the almond doughnuts, the alfajores and the suspiros.