White hill towns, Andalusia; Parque Natural Sierta de Grazalema

SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA NATURAL PARK

1) Designated a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1977, the Sierra de Grazalema was declared the first natural park in Andalucia in 1984 and is one of Spain's most ecologically outstanding areas. This is one of the beautiful parts of Andalusia missed  by the most  tourists in the conducted tours or the package deal. Best way to see is drive  your self. 

The rugged zahara set around Frazalema npountains hums with Moorish mystery. For over 150 years in 14th and 15th centuries , it stoold on old medieval frontier facing off against Christian faces. Sill  reminiscent of mosque, nbue tiled mosaic, hamam are visible at these classic white hill towns (pueblo blanco) 

Dotted around the sierra are attractive pueblos blancos (white villages), the one in the most dramatic setting being Grazalema, which nestles between the two rugged peaks of Pico del Reloj and the Pico de San Cristóbal. Other picturesque pueblos blancos include Cortes de la Frontera, El Bosque and Zahara de la Sierra.  we hiked the Zahara de la  Sierra.

2) Perched on an inland plateau riven by the 100m fissure of El Tajo gorge, Ronda is Málaga province’s most spectacular town. It has a superbly dramatic location, and owes its name (‘surrounded’ by mountains), to the encircling Serranía de Ronda.

Established in the 9th century BC, Ronda is also one of Spain’s oldest towns. Its existing old town, La Ciudad (the City), largely dates to Islamic times, when it was an important cultural centre filled with mosques and palaces. Its wealth as a trading depot made it an attractive prospect for bandits and profiteers, and the town has a colourful and romantic past in Spanish folklore.

 3) Near Andalucía’s stunning cliff-top town of Ronda (which is worth a trip on its own), travelers will find Setenil de las Bodegas, a small and curious village built beneath the overhang of a massive bluff. Setenil de las Bodegas also forms part of Andalucía’s famous White Villages route, a trail through the irresistibly charming white-washed villages that dot the hills between Cadiz and Malaga.  The way living at the top of the mountain was strategic for the defense,  living in the cave was  strategic for the defense .It took long time for the marching catholic armies to conquer  Setenil de las Bodegas

1) White hill towns, Andalusia  selected 

2) Ronda

3) White hill town rest