Algatocin, beautifully nestled in the Serrania de Ronda |
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Hotels | Camping | Things to See | History | Archaeological Sites | Salitre
Algatocin
Algatocín is part of the famous Pueblos Blancos, or white villages that run through the Serranía de Ronda (Ronda Mountain Range) and dot the hills through Málaga and Cádiz provinces.
This tiny village of less than 1.000 inhabitants, has a narrow, 20 square kilometre, municipal area that runs from east to west and strides the Guadiaro and Genal valleys.
The actual village situated at 724 metres, is on the A-369 Ronda - Gaucin road and is on the MA-8305 road Estepona junction. Just south of the village, the A-373 road leads off down to the station at Cortes de la Frontera and onto Ubrique.
Algatocin survives on agriculture with a timber mill besides the Rio Genal and two pork processing factories in the village. The whole municipal district now only has 475 houses, some of these being in the old Salitire district.
Things to see
Algatocin offers Hermitage of Santo Cristo, The 16th century Parish Church of Ntra Sra del Rosario, Plaza de la Alameda and the San Antonio Fountain, with its 17th century inscription, the Hermitage of Calvario plus a number of Aerchological sites in the surrounding countryside of Bemamahabu and Salitre and the old Canade Real road. More things to see>
Geography
The village is dominated by a limestone ridge, peaking at Sierrecilla at 1,071 metres above sea level.
The valleys on each side of this limestone ridge have a separate agricultural identity, which must have developed due to historical reasons, as they are both well watered. The Guadiaro valley is more fertile and lies in a bowl, with irrigation channels running through the area. In contrast the Genal valley is more cork oak woodland and clearings are devoted to fruit trees, such as olives, almond, fig and chestnuts.
Festivals
Romerio is celebrated on the 15 May in honour of San Isidro in the Salitre area. A second one down by the Rio Genal dedicated to San Juan, occurs on the 24 June. The principle fiesta is celebrated in the honour of the Virgen del Rosario and San Francisco between the 4 - 7 October.
