Cútar

Ayuntamiento, C/ Fuente, 13, Cútar, 29718

(+34) 952 55 42 47

http://www.cutar.es/

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

Cútar is a white village of the Axarquia that has preserved the charm of its architecture of Arab origin. Houses leaning out to narrow and steep streets draw the urban landscape of this town, known for its handicrafts of esparto and wood.
Located on the slope of a hill and surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, Cútar has an environment of great landscape value. In addition, the city enjoys an extraordinary wealth of water resources, which has led to be known by the nickname "Fuente de Paraiso" (Source of Paradise).
IN CÚTAR YOU CANNOT MISS
MONUMENTS
The lands of the town of Cútar had been place of settlement for humans since ancient times. This is proven by prehistoric remains discovered in the Peña del Hierro and in the rio de la Cueva (Cave River), as well as ceramics and Roman coins located between Paome stream and Benamargosa river. In the Cerro de Cútar, also there appeared vestiges of Arab domination period.
In the Museum of Monfí you can see important works that refer to the Andalusian past of the area, such as the Qur'an of Cútar, dated between the XIII and XV centuries.
The church of Our Lady of the Incarnation is the most important building of Cútar. It was built in the XVI century, although it underwent two reforms throughout the history. Hence, its mix of styles, combining elements of Moorish and Baroque art. Temple, which consists of three naves, highlights the rococo chapel that houses the image of San Roque.
Another emblem of local history is the Arab Source, located in the south of the town. Known in the XVI century as 'Aina Alcaharia' (Source of the Farmhouse) which is found in perfect condition and is a symbol of the great wealth of water resources of Cútar, which had up to twelve springs.
There are several ways to get to Cútar from Málga by car.The first 43-kilometre option takes you on the A-7 motorway and then on the MA-3200 until you reach Cútar. Another route, lasting 55 kilometres, takes you on the A-7 motorway and then continues on the A-356 upon getting off at the Vélez-Málaga exit. Then you proceed to Benamargosa on the MA-3113 road to the MA-3108, which ends in Cútar. The two routes have a duration of approximately 1 hour.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Having situated at more than 330 meters above sea level, Cútar ejoys good panoramic landscape of Axarquia. Due to its location, the city is highly recommended for trekking and undertaking of activities in contact with nature. Its most interesting places are the Peña del Hierro, Salto de Negro and valleys of the rivers of Cueva and Cútar.
POPULAR FESTIVALS
Feria de Agosto (August Fair) is the most popular event in the calendar of celebrations of Cútar. The festivities begin with the traditional firing of rockets and continue with Mass and procession in honor of San Roque and Virgin (Our Lady) of the Angels. The next day a great paellada is organized in which all the locals and visitors are organized.
During the Festival of Monfi in the month of October, Cútar dates back to the era of Muslim domination. The neighbors spruce in Arab clothes and install the artisan market in the village. There are also musical performances, falconry exhibitions, workshops and tastings inspired by the cuisine of the XIV and XV centuries dishes.
Other events featured in Cútar are Easter, the festival of San Roque in May and Corpus Christi in June. In the same month, Candelarias of San Juan is also celebrated.
CUISINE
The star dish of the local cuisine is the stew with chickpeas and chorizo. Although you can also find other own culinary specialties of the area including soup maimones (a version of the garlic soup), gazpacho (inescapable drink in the Andalusian summer tomato, cucumber, garlic, bread and oil) or ajoblanco (Malaga delight as cold almond soup and crushed garlic and grapes). On the table you cannot miss the wine produced in these lands. Regarding desserts, we must mention the delicious cakes of milk (a kind of pancake).
Town History
Its privileged location has made Cútar an attractive land since the dawn of time, as revealed by the archaeological sites in Peña del Hierro and the banks of the river De la Cueva. The origins of the town itself date back to the times when the Arabs controlled southern Spain. A hamlet with the name Hins Acut "Acute Castle" was known to exist in the tenth century; the name referred to the fort dominating the original settlement.
When the army of the Catholic Monarchs seized the town in 1487, economic growth ensued based on raisin exports. Despite their support to the Christian people in the riots of Ronda and Alpujarras, the Moors where expelled in 1570. With time, several villages emerged in the surrounding area: Salto del Negro, Huerta Palacios, Monte de los Frailes, La Zuia, Cuesta del Azúcar, La Molina and others.

Legend has it: The Birth of Death
When they reached Axarquía during the Reconquista, the Christian armies came across deserted towns. Most Muslim citizens had taken refuge in the sierras. In view of this, many soldiers gave in to pillage and unbridled licentiousness. When they saw their homes and buildings ransacked, the Moors attacked from their mountain shelters, taking the out-of-tune army by surprise. Hundreds of soldiers died in the sierras and the slopes of the Cútar mount, their bodies buried in the gorges.
Legend has it that at sunset, in the depth of the ravines, you can hear the cries and moans of the vanquished. With them, a beautiful, alluring woman sings travellers into a glass castle in a cave at the bottom of a gorge. Here, surrounded by soldier corpses, she puts them to death. She is known as Cútar's Birth of Death.
The star dish of local cuisine is the chorizo and chickpea stew, or puchero. You can also find other specialities like the maimones soup, gazpacho or ajoblanco axarqueño in Cútar. In addition to enjoying your delicious meal, Moscatel wine and milk cakes are perfect tasty souvenirs.