SERRATO
by Saskia Mier
Serrato as a municipal district was formed as recently as December 2014. Until then it was part of the municipal district of Ronda. It has about 470 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Its origins of Seratto date back to the Neolithic era, when small agricultural communities settled here due to the fertile land and the abundance of water. It was in the Roman and Arab period that it grew in importance, particularly Serrato village, which was a Roman town.
On August 27, 1994, a referendum took place in Serrato, where the vast majority of the residents showed their desire to be autonomous. The village was granted the status of a autonomous local entity in May 1999, but finally, in 2014 it became a completely independent municipality. Independence was achieved on December 2, 2014, a date that is well remembered by all the locals and has become a local holiday and festival honoured by a large paella, cooked for everyone to share.
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
The church was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century, after the Christian reconquest of Ronda in 1485 and surrounding area. The building has undergone numerous important renovations, the latest being in 2009. Located on Calle Fuente.
Fuente del Caño
It is not known when the fountain was built exactly, although it is assumed that the spring water has flowed here since ancient times. The public fountains, until the arrival of running water to the houses, were considered basic infrastructures in the towns of the Sierra. In 2008 the fountain underwent restoration. The excess water from this spring is fed into a drinking trough at the entrance to Serrato, and known as Abrevadero Sobrante de la Fuente del Caño. Located on Calle Fuente.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
GR-7, Sendero Europeo E-4
The GR-7 is the longest footpath in Europe, from Tarifa in the province of Cádiz, to the Temple of Delphi in Greece. Today it has become the first intercontinental trail, as it has been extended at both ends. At the Tarifa end it joins the A-1 in Ceuta, traveling through North Africa until reaching the Sahara. The route through Andalusia covers a total of 1250 Km through the province of Cádiz, into Málaga where it splits into two branches in Villanueva de Gauche, one traveling through Córdoba and the other through Granada, meeting again in Puebla de Don Fadrique before continuing towards Andorra. Upon entering the Málaga province, Etapa 04 (Stage 04) Arriate-Serrato and Etapa 05 (Stage 05) Serrato-Ardales are parts of the GR-7 route for keen walkers visiting the area. Etapa 04 is approximately 20.3 Km and Etapa 05 is approximately 13.6 Km. More>
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Serrato, try local dishes such as tortilla de espárragos (asparagus omlette), olla de tagarninas (nettle stew) and sopa hervida (a soup made with vegetables and bread, often served with tuna or cod). Sweet treats include roscos de vino (aniseed biscuits) roscos de naranja (orange doughnuts), tortas de azúcar y almendra (sweet biscuits covered in almonds) and empanadillas (sweet pastries filled with chocolate, pumpkin jam or sweet potato purée.
HANDICRAFTS
Popular crafts produced in the area include esparto and wickerwork.
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Serrato are La Candelaria, Los Tostones, Día de la Vieja and Feria de Octubre. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Serrato is located in the town hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Serrato are Cañete la Real, Cuevas del Becerro and El Burgo.