Zahara
In the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, with an area of 71.30 square kilometres, Zahara lies in the very northeast of the province of Cádiz, in the lowlands of the Sierra del Jaral. The town is a stop on the "Route of the White Villages", and offers magnificent views of its surroundings: to the north, Algodonales and Sierra de Líjar; to the west, the stream of Bocaleones and Sierra Margarita (Prado del Rey and El Bosque); to the south, Arroyomolinos, Monte Prieto, Sierra Blanquilla - port of Las Palomas - and Sierra del Pinar (Grazalema); and to the east, the Algarín rock (El Gastor).
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Zahara lies between Ronda and Grazalema in the middle of a Natural Park, 4 km from the 'Pinsapar' (forest of Spanish firs) and the Garganta Verde, natural areas that have been declared a Biosphere Reserve area by UNESCO. It is set on a rocky cliff crowned by an eighteenth-century tower and bathed by a reservoir of turquoise waters. This is a town of open and contemplative people, which overlooks the Guadalete River Valley.
Zahara's most recent origins can be traced back to the Muslims, as its name suggests. From this time, in addition to the typical Moorish urban layout, the eighteenth castle and its restored keep - declared an Asset of Cultural Interest - are preserved, as well as remains of the medieval town with stretches of its walls.
The way it spreads across the slope of the hillside makes the town rather unique in overall appearance. This forces the streets to be staggered, so that at times the view is limited to its whitish houses only to open up to the wonderful landscapes that can be seen from its various viewpoints.
In its charming town centre, the Church of Santa María de la Mesa, Asset of Cultural Interest, the Chapel of San Juan de Letrán and the Clock Tower are particularly worthy of interest.
Two more items of interest: The Corpus Christi festival, declared of National Tourist Interest, and the peculiar inland bathing area popularly known as "La Playita", and surrounded by fruit trees in the Arroyomolinos Recreational Area.
All these natural, historic and artistic attractions have naturally led to it being declared a Historic Site by the Ministry of Culture of Andalusia's Regional Government, a natural area especially protected by the Ministry of the Environment of Andalusia's Regional Government and one of the most photographed towns in Spain.
All this, together with a rich and varied local cuisine, such as the 'quemones', the boiled soups, quince flesh, kid goat, Retinta beef and the extra olive oils made from the manzanillo olive, make Zahara more than deserving of a visit.
The town speaks for itself: all that remains is for me to invite you to visit.
