Istán

What to See in Istán

The San Miguel church, dedicated to the local patron saint, was built in the early sixteenth century (1505) by orders of Diego de Deza, the Archbishop of Seville at that time. . The Moors set fire to it in 1569 and it had to be rebuilt. Since that time it has undergone three modifications, the last in 1960. It has a single nave with a wooden roof frame and two "camarines" (small chapels) with eighteenth century paintings. In its interior are preserved several images of a certain amount of artistic merit, including those of San Miguel (Saint Michael), an Immaculate Conception, a Saint Anthony, a Resurrected Christ and a Saint Joseph.

Torre Escalante

The San Miguel chapel is about four kilometres from the village. A natural cave was used in its construction. Inside it, there is an image of the local patron saint, San Miguel. This location commands magnificent views of Sierra Blanca, the River Verde valley and the reservoir, with the Mediterranean in the background. The short walk

(Escalante tower) witnessed the most outstanding historic events of the Moorish era. It was built in about the fifteenth century. Of its sturdy construction the domed compound, a semicircular arch and the courtyard of the stables remain. It has been designated a Property of Cultural Interest due to its historical importance.

PR-A 138 starts at the chapel of San Miguel and finishes at the centre of the village. It takes only 30 minutes.

An interesting network of irrigation ditches constructed by the Moors is still preserved in the village. The Moors, as is well known, had a special reverence for water and in Istán, where it exists in abundance, it was routed through canals to the most unexpected parts of the town and to the garden and orchard area. Even today, some of these irrigation ditches continue to perform the same function as centuries ago.

Fountains

are another of the most characteristic features of this village. They were built in accordance with the popular architectural tradition and therefore make lavish use of glazed tile. All have drinking water, as does the Conjunto Fuente y Lavadero de El Chorro (El Chorro fountain and laundry shed complex), which, with its seven spouts of crystalline water coming straight from the Sierra Blanca range and its well-preserved ancient structure, evokes bygone ages.

The Castaño Santo (Holy Chestnut Tree), which was designated a Natural Monument by the Assembly of Andalusia in 1985, is 800 years old and its circumference is 13 metres. According to tradition, Ferdinand the Catholic himself celebrated a thanksgiving Mass under its branches back in 1501. It is 37 kilometres from Istán and is reached by first taking the Monda road and then the Las Vegas road.

Thanks to the area’s unique setting there are a number of look-out points both in the village and nearby that should be seen before leaving Istán, as the views, seen from them, justify the time spent.

The El Tajo Banderas Natural Viewpoint owes its name (meaning "cliff of the flags") to its strategic location standing out above the surrounding terrain. Flags from the warring factions that took over the village in the various wars were placed on it. This spot affords magnificent views of the mountain ranges that surround Istán (Sierra Blanca, Sierra Real and Sierra de las Nieves), and along with them the lake formed by the dam on the River Verde. On clear days, the profiles of Gibraltar and North Africa can be seen.

The Las Herrizas Natural Viewpoint is located on the crest of a hill above the River Verde reservoir. From here the same views can be seen as from the previous viewpoint, but from here the perspective of the reservoir and its joining with the River Verde is especially striking.

The Calle Azufaifo Viewpoint provides impressive views of the River Molinos, which cascades down one stretch. Along with the River Verde, it flows down to the reservoir through an area that makes for a splendid scene with the Sierra Blanca in the background.

As the visitor goes up Calle Pablo Picasso he will see, on his left, the El Peñón Viewpoint, where benches have been set up for admiring the scenery except on the part that is made up of cliffs that go up the side of the mountain. This place overlooks the joining of the Rivers Verde and Molinos.

La Concepción Reservoir

is an additional attraction in Istán. As it is in the River Verde, it is also known as Pantano de Río Verde. It supplies water to some 450,000 people on the Costal del Sol Occidental. The Pantano was built in 1971 and belongs to Andalusia’s Mediterranean Basin. Several adventure travel companies offer canoe trips.

 

The source of the River Molinos is a must-visit place. A small natural pond in a manicured area protected by a wooden fence is ahead of a waterfall, the first of a series of cascades visitors will find in Istán. The source of the River Molinos has a recreational area with benches and tables.

In November 2009 opened the Museo del Agua (Museum of Water), on Tajo Banderas Street, next to the viewpoint of the same name. The Museum is to include a visitor centre focusing on water and its behaviour. A walk across the municipality takes you to many springs and brooks.

Istán’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

Although it is a recent innovation, the Gastronomic Show and Orange’s Day festival in February is already extraordinarily popular. The fifteenth edition occurred in 2009. This is simply a matter of organizing, in the village square, a sampling of the most typical local dishes. The idea of the festival became a reality when a group of students at the adult school decided to offer young people some old recipes so that they would not get lost. Several restaurants join the celebration and contribute their best specialties, while a "panda de verdiales" (traditional Málaga music group) adds a touch of the most authentic folklore. There is also the 3^rd Tapas Tour,

held the same day, when local residents and visitors vote the most delicious and elaborate tapa.

The San Miguel fair on 29 September lasts for three days, with the village actively participating in numerous events, notably the ring race on bicycles. Prior to this, on the Sunday before 29 September, the San Miguel pilgrimage or "tomillería" is held. The pilgrims who go to the saint’s chapel are called "tomilleros" in reference to the tomillo (thyme) that grows abundantly in the surrounding fields. In mid-afternoon everyone returns to the village accompanied by the saint.

In early November the villagers get ready for what is here known as the "tostoná" but is known in other villages as the "tostón" (chestnut roast). In certain places (the younger people go to the country) the chestnuts are roasted and are customarily eaten accompanied by aguardiente (raw brandy). The arrival of Christmas is announced by "Los Zambombeos" on 30 November, when groups of villagers gather and stroll through the streets of the village singing traditional Christmas carols to the accompaniment of zambombas and panderetas (folk musical instruments).

The most characteristic thing about the Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Istán, which also has several brotherhoods that stage their processions on different days, is El Paso (a sort of Passion play), whose first enactments date back to the seventeenth century. It is known that in the nineteenth century it was staged in the manner of a Greek tragedy: a chorus sang the script and some masked characters gesticulated in accordance with the text that was being interpreted. From 1950 to 1980 it was not produced, but at the beginning of the latter decade the Paso has taken new life and has again become one of the trademarks of this village.

El Paso continues to be staged with certain variations on the former pattern. Today the actors move about a wide space decorated for the occasion. Holy Thursday begins with God’s Test of Abraham and concludes with the Arrest of Jesus. His Trial, the lashes and the route of the Stations of the Cross to His Crucifixion and death are on Friday, and on Holy Saturday the Resurrection is enacted with Christ arising from the tomb. This tradition was recently designated a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia.

Istán’s Gastronomy

Istán’s traditional cuisine is surprising both for its variety and quality. Among the many dishes that make up this area’s typical menu particular note should be made of chivo al ajillo (kid in garlic sauce), guiso de hinojos (stewed fennels), sopa cocida (hot soup) and sopa de maimones (a soup of bread, garlic and eggs). Berzas and coles guisadas (two cabbage dishes) are somewhat more substantial and suitable for winter, as are sopa de maíz (maize soup) and guiso de chicharros (crackling stew). In summer popular wisdom recommends sopa de tomate con chumbos (tomato soup with prickly pear fruit), ajoblanco (a cold soup) or sopa de tomates con uvas (tomato soup with grapes). The plato Panocho is a dish containing sirloin, meatballs, egg and pepper, and resembles the succulent dishes made by peasants. As for confectionery, mention should be made of tortas de aceite (olive oil cakes) and arroz con leche (rice pudding), as well as borrachuelos (a kind of sponge cake) and rosquillos de vino (a kind of spiral pastry made with wine). Hornazos (a kind of pastry) with an egg in the centre are famous in Istán. Instead of preparing these only for the day of San Marcos, as is the case in most localities that preserve this tradition, here they make them at any time of the year.

More Information About Istán

Hiking and Mountain Biking in Istán

Besides Castaño Santo, Istán has nine well signposted paths, including those of La Concha, Cañada del Infierno or the road leading to Ojén. Likewise, mountain bike lovers will find in Istán a perfect place to ride their bikes along six official routes like the way to Monda or Puerto Barrancones.