White Towns of Andalusia
Encyclopedia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, or Pueblos Blancos, are a series of town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
s and large village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
s in the northern part of the province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
s of Cádiz
Cádiz (province)
Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe....
and Málaga
Málaga (province)
The Province of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the South, and by the provinces of Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada.Its area is 7,308 km²...
in southern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, mostly within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a natural park in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz in southern Spain. The park encompasses, within its , a complex of mountain ranges, known collectively as the Sierra de Grazalema, which, in turn, are part of the Cordillera Subbética...
.
All of the villages are characterised by whitewash
Whitewash
Whitewash, or calcimine, kalsomine, calsomine, or lime paint is a very low-cost type of paint made from slaked lime and chalk . Various other additives are also used...
ed walls and red or brown tile
Tile
A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops...
d roof
Roof
A roof is the covering on the uppermost part of a building. A roof protects the building and its contents from the effects of weather. Structures that require roofs range from a letter box to a cathedral or stadium, dwellings being the most numerous....
s.
History
The area has been settled since prehistoric times, and some of the local caveCave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s have ancient rock paintings. Many cultures have left their mark on the region, but the most influential was that of the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
. The narrow, winding streets have a distinct, Arabic feel to them, though each village has at least one Roman Catholic church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
Climate
The climateClimate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
is mild and the surrounding countryside is green and pleasant. Tourist activities available include hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, rock-climbing, pot-holing
Caving
Caving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, horseback riding, and just ambling about, enjoying nature
Nature
Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
and the local food.
Villages
The main towns, villages and other interesting places to visit include:- Zahara de la SierraZahara de la SierraZahara de la Sierra is a small town in the province of Cádiz in the hills of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is perched on a mountain, overlooking a valley and a man-made lake formed by the dam that must be driven over to access the town...
- next to a reservoir - typical Cádiz town - Garganta Verde and Ermita de la Garganta - caves with stalactiteStalactiteA stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...
s and stalagmiteStalagmiteA stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
s - Puerto de las PalomasPuerto de las PalomasThe Puerto de las Palomas is a road through two mountains inside the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, connecting Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra villages....
- splendid views - GrazalemaGrazalemaGrazalema is a village located in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range , Grazalema had, as of 2009, a population of 2,205.-History:The Roman villa of Lacidulia, situated in...
- one of the main towns - Villaluenga del RosarioVillaluenga del RosarioVillaluenga del Rosario is a village located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 481 inhabitants.It's located down Navazo Alto mountain, inside Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.-Demographics:...
- highest of the White Towns and one of the prettiest - BenaocazBenaocazBenaocaz is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2006 census, the city has a population of 729 inhabitants.-Demographics:- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
- an Arab town with remainsRemainsRemains may refer to:* "Remains" , a 2009 song by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon* Remains , a 2007 compilation album by punk band Alkaline Trio...
of a fortress - UbriqueUbrique- External links :* -...
- largest of the White Towns - BenamahomaBenamahomaBenamahoma , one of the White Towns of Andalusia, is a town of some 400 inhabitants in Cádiz province, Spain. It is located 5 km from El Bosque, Cádiz, and lies within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.- Culture :...
- contains the Fuente de Nacimiento of MajaceiteMajaceiteThe Majaceite, also known as the Guadalcacín, is the main tributary of the river Guadalete in Andalusia, Spain. Most of its course runs through the national park of the Sierra de Grazalema. The Battle of Majaceite took place on its banks in 1836....
river - El Bosque - trout fishing and hang glidingHang glidingHang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
from here - Prado del ReyPrado del ReyPrado del Rey is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 5,968 inhabitants.- History :...
- a more modern village - Puerto SerranoPuerto SerranoPuerto Serrano is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 6,852 inhabitants.-Leisure:Puerto Serrano is parto of Vía Verde de la Sierra biking and hiking route.-Demographics:...
- nice quiet town - AlgodonalesAlgodonalesAlgodonales is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 5,607 inhabitants. The nearest cities are Zahara de la Sierra and Olvera...
- 16th century town with some RomanAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
ruins - El GastorEl Gastor- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía*...
- Balcón de los Pueblos Blancos with an interesting church - Setenil de las BodegasSetenil de las Bodegas- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
- village built into the rocks - Arab fortress - Alcalá del ValleAlcalá del Valle-Monuments and sights:*Iglesia de Santa María del Valle*Ermita del Cristo de la Misericordia*Grupo dolménico de la Dehesa del Tomillo*Cortijo de La Cacería*Fuente Grande*Monasterio de Caños Santos-Celebrations:*Semana Santa...
- pretty town - megalithic standing stones nearby - Torre AlhaquimeTorre AlháquimeTorre Alháquime is a village located in the province of Cádiz, southern Spain. It is home to a Moorish castle and cemetery .-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
- good holiday village - OlveraOlveraOlvera is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 8,585 inhabitants.- Overview :...
- main town of the area - Arcos de la FronteraArcos de la FronteraArcos de la Frontera is a town in the province of Cádiz in southern Spain. It is located on the eastern bank of the Guadalete river, which flows to the Bay of Cadiz. The town commands a fine vista atop a sandstone ridge, from which the peak of San Cristobal and the Guadalete Valley can be seen...
- perched on a cliff - BaroqueBaroqueThe Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
churches - Algar - up a mountain road
- EsperaEsperaEspera is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 3,909 inhabitants.-Demographics:- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
- panoramic views - BornosBornosBornos is a town and municipality located in the province of Cádiz, Spain.-Demographics:- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
and VillamartínVillamartínVillamartín is a city located in the province of Cádiz, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 12,145 inhabitants.-Demographics:- External links :* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía...
- reservoir, Roman ruins - Vejer de la FronteraVejer de la Frontera- Gallery :-External links:* * * * http://www.360cities.net/image/vejerplaza...