Cártama- things to see

The Hermitage Chruch Nuestra Señora de los Remedios  © Michelle Chaplow
The Hermitage Chruch Nuestra Señora de los Remedios ( click to emlarge photos) © Michelle Chaplow

Cartama - things to See

Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios - the town's patron saint - is still a focus of reverent pilgrimage for devout locals, and is perched high above Cártama's twisting streets. The shrine is well worth the visit and can be reached by climbing the vertiginous zig-zag path from the main square near the Pilar Alto Fountain. If it is a hot day, take some water along for the climb.  Read more>

Fuente de Pilar Alto - the word pilar has several meanings, one being 'the base of a fountain'. This stone water fountain is near San Pedro church, standing beneath a protective arched canopy. The fountain is dated 1872 and the canopy 1976. (36.709496, -4.631312)

Iglesia Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol bears the date 1502, shortly after the Reconquest by the Catholic Kings, and may well be built on the site of a former mosque. The main renaissance-style entrance from the square leads into the side of the church. In typical style, it has three naves, separated by pillars supporting half-point arches clad in wood, mixing Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance elements. Less typical is the drinks-style vending machine which sells votive candles - an unusual modern touch. A small room at the back has walls of niches for cremated remains of worshippers, with silver plaques naming the occupants.  During the restoration of 2005, wall paintings dating from 1824 were found on the tower.  (36.710012, -4.631628)

Ruins of the old Moorish castle of Cártama.
Ruins of the old Moorish castle of Cártama.

Castillo (Castle) - a further climb from the shrine leads up to the 10th century Moorish castle situated above it. This ascent is far more difficult and not for the faint-hearted. You will need to scramble along a steep and narrow path, which begins outside the gates of the shrine, and leads to what was the castle's main keep and bailey. The site is large and many of the old walls have survived, so it only takes a little imagination to see how impenetrable the double-walled fortress would have been. The first defensive wall had ten towers and the second eight. The castle's capture by the Catholic Monarchs in 1485 is recorded in bas-reliefs in the Coro of Toledo Cathedral. Since then, its main role fulfilled, the castle has gradually decayed.  Restoration work was carried out in 2011. (36.70902, -4.62926)

Estacion de Cartama which was originally a railway station built in 1865 - the Puente de Hierro (see below) links it with the main part of the town.

Cruz de Humilladero is named after the forged iron cross attached to the top of a 2nd Century AD marble column - the symbol is incorporated into the town's heraldic crest. The cross was placed at the current site in 1752, to mark the excavation being carried out by the Marques de Valdeflores.

Ermita de Casapalma, dating from around the same time as the San Pedro Chruch, was once an important place of worship, but is now derelict. A road built through the Casapalma estate cut off the vestry. The history of the sanctuary is well documented in the provincial archives.

Museo de Ntra Sra de los Remedios was inaugurated in 2007, adjoining the San Pedro church, through you enter. It contains 18th-century photographs and other artefacts of the town, with particular emphasis on religious ones and those connected with the story of the Virgin. These include many velvet cloaks featuring her image donated by grateful parishioners, as well as by the faithful in the US during the Virgin's stay there. The most important item is a blue cloak, embroidered with gold and pearls, which is said to have belonged to the Reyes Catolicos.

Capilla de Sierra Gibralgalia is a lesser-known sanctuary on Sierra Gibralgalia.

Puente de Hierro is an iron-girder truss bridge over the River Guadalhorce, built between 1927 and 1931, and is one of the only remaining examples of such structures in Malaga province. Restored in 2001, it's is a popular spot with the locals for a stroll. Road traffic now uses a new bridge alongside. (36.7295, -4.6135)

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