UNIQUE PROVINCIAL en FEASTS & FESTIVALS TOURIST FEAST FEASTS OF INTEREST AXARQUIA · COSTA DEL SOL TOURIST GUIDE TO TOURISTS AXARQUÍA 2 INDEX Alcaucín 6 Iznate 63 Alfarnate 10 La Viñuela 67 Alfarnatejo 13 Macharaviaya 69 Algarrobo 15 Moclinejo 71 Almáchar 19 Nerja 75 Árchez 24 Periana 81 Arenas 26 Rincón de la Victoria 85 Benamargosa 28 Riogordo 91 Benamocarra 31 Salares 95 Canillas de Aceituno 35 Sayalonga 97 Canillas de Albaida 38 Sedella 100 Colmenar 40 Torrox 102 Comares 45 Totalán 109 Cómpeta 48 Vélez-Málaga 113 Cútar 52 Contact details 121 El Borge 54 for town halls Frigiliana 57 Plan to Revitalize the 125 Axarquía Tourist Product The visitor will find in this guide two main types of celebrations: Some of these celebrations are distinctly gastronomic in UNIQUE PROVINCIAL TOURIST FEAST nature and can be identified by a symbol that represents a These are popular feasts and events that are celebrated knife and fork. This sign leads us to a recipe that includes in towns throughout the district and which are interesting that feast’s star product. for tourists; as a result they have been highlighted by the Malaga Provincial Government. The aim of this recognition is to highlight the popular festivities that exist and that are deeply rooted in popular traditions and therefore promote and disseminate Malaga’s unique tourist attractions. OTHER FEASTS OF INTEREST FOR TOURISTS These are very popular feasts in the district, with celebrations that include festivities, pilgrimages, fairs and cultural meetings. These festivities highlight the essential aspects of the Axarquia’s traditions. 4 INTRODUCTION If a town’s idiosyncrasy is the sum of very different Other celebrations are clearly Moorish in origin, and elements, then feasts and the way they are celebrated the most recent ones are Christian, like the festivities are undoubtedly an integral part of that whole which of the patron saints or of Holy Week which are very characterises the uniqueness of an area and of its important in this area. inhabitants. It is impossible to say when the Axarquia’s festive tradition dates from but it is essentially based Visitors to the Axarquia at any time of the year, but on the area’s agricultural and seafaring aspects, in especially in summer, will be able to participate other words its gastronomy. The different cultures in - and be amazed by - some of these secular that have settled over the centuries in the Axarquia celebrations in which the inhabitants of this very have left their mark; thus the festive calendar of the privileged area of Malaga province externalise their towns in the region are a vivid mosaic of customs infectious “jouie de vivre”. and traditions into which are blended both pagan and religious celebrations. From January to December there are numerous festivities dedicated to a celebration of wine, oil or culinary specialities; all of them feature traditional folk music groups (verdiales) which some experts say date from the Minoic civilization. 5 ALCAUCÍN FEASTS OF INTEREST to tourists Feat of Los Cortijillos Last weekend in May Pilgrimage of Saint Sebastián In Los Cortijillos, a district of Alcaucín, people celebrate 20 January this charming and endearing feat where they meet up On the day of the feat of the patron saint of Alcaucin, with family and friends to enjoy music, dancing and a Saint Sebastian, it is traditional to hold a mid-day good atmosphere. dance and a lunch which is base don typical products of the region such as sausages and wine. After the meal Feasts in August: the statue of the saint is taken in procession through Fair, Flamenco Festival and Feast of the Water the town centre. The beginning of August The August Fair is usually held over the first Holy Week weekend in August in honor of Saint Sebastian, At the end of March or beginning of April patron saint of the tow. It gets better every year On Maundy Thursday there is the typical procession of with more and more functions. During the day there ‘the Jews’, who are people wearing Roman clothes and are passacaglia and numerous other activities as old masks with unpleasant features and looks. part of this summer feast. Pilgrimage of Saint Isidro The Flamenco Festival is a very important day in 15 of May the calendar of feast days in this town. It has grown People go to the countryside on this day to celebrate in importance over the years and now attracts with the family and friends. important artists. 6 FEASTS & FESTIVALS • ALCAUCÍN The Feast of the Water also takes place during these days; this is a unique celebration for local inhabitants and visitors. The town sets up bubble and foam machines but what is really indispensable to have are buckets with which those participating will throw water at each other in the square while an orchestra entertains those present. Feria de la Virgen del Rosario 7 October Alcaucín celebrates this minor feast in honor of its patron saint, the Virgin of the Rosary, with a series of events which take place over a weekend. There are games, dances, music and a gathering of choirs from different towns around the district; all this forms part of a very attractive program during those days. A large paella is cooked on the Sunday for all to enjoy. The religious events take place during the evening when there is a mass and a procession in honor of the patron saint. 7 FEASTS & FESTIVALS • ALCAUCÍN with the chestnuts and beans. Then add the oil along with the onions and aniseed. 5.- Cook until the chestnuts and beans are CHESTNUT ANd bEAN casserole tender. Ingredients: 1/4 kg. dried chestnuts, 1 kg. haricot beans, 1 onion, 1 bay leaf, aniseed, garlic, saffron, oil, sugar, salt. METHOd OF preparation: 1.- Soak the dried and peeled chestnuts over- night along with the beans. 2. – Boil these with saffron and a bay leaf. 3.- Meanwhile, fry the finely-chopped onion and then add the aniseed without keeping this on the cooker for too long.. 4.- Crush the garlic in a mortar and pestle with salt and a little sugar and add to the casserole 8 FEASTS & FESTIVALS • ALCAUCÍN Feast of the Chestnut 31 October On the last night in October, Alcaucin celebrates the ancestral Feast of the Chestnut. People come from all over the district and the province of Malaga to try this fruit in the beautiful setting of the Sierra de Tejeda. Hundreds of kilos of this delicious fruit, announcing the arrival of winter, are shared out and eaten by local inhabitants and visitors, along with another specialty of the day: baked sweet potato. There are also aniseed liqueur and cinnamon cakes on offer. At the same time the Town Hall organizes other ludic events. 9 ALFARNATE UNIQUE Provincial TOURIST FEAST of the time, where you can buy typical products of the town as well as craft and ecological products. Feast of Our Lady of Monsalud Around the 12 September OTHER FEASTS OF INTEREST for tourists A variety of events take place over a period of four days; the ‘verdiales’ bands and fandangos are particularly Candlemas interesting. A particularly pertinent event is the so- 2 February called Embassy or Feast of Moors and Christians which A feast during which people carry gorse, a wild plant retells the recapture of the Kingdom of Granada by which when dried is burnt in the street in bunches tied the Christian troops and the subsequent expulsion of to the waist of youngsters, finishing with a bonfire in the the Moors. It is based on an anonymous text, written main Squire, around which people sing and dance. as a ballad. Pilgrimage of Saint Mark During this day the place becomes a mediaeval town. 25 April About five hundred people dress in costumes of the This is a local pilgrimage which takes place in la Breña, period. The feast, which begins at mid day, reaches its around the mountain pass of los Alazores. During the climax at 6 p.m., at the time when the story reaches day, visitors can enjoy a day in the countryside in a its conclusion. beautiful setting that is both open and shady. In the evening there is a procession in honor of Our Lady of Apart from this, there is a craft fair. The aim of this Monsalud Coronada, which goes from the shrine to grand souk was to remind people of the old markets the church of Saint Anne. 10 FEASTS & FESTIVALS • ALFARNATE Pilgrimage of Saint Isidro Altars are erected in some of the streets and are 15 May decorated using shrubs and flowers found in the area. This is a very important for local farmers. At the end of mass there takes place a pilgrimage and Feast of the Cherry procession through the countryside during which Around the third Saturday in June the young children accompany Saint Isidro dressed The Day of the Cherry is held in Alfarnate as a musical as villagers. and gastronomic day; it is a perfect reason for going to this beautiful town in the High Axarquia. There is a Corpus Christi market selling cherries and other typical products like May or June excellent olive oil of the ‘hojiblanca’ variety. There is a solemn mass and a procession of the Sacred Sacrament through the streets of the town. As well as cherries, visitors are offered other typical Magnificent altars are set for the occasion and houses dishes of the region such as cold meats, etc. People and balconies are beautifully decorated. can also try local cakes, ring-shaped pastry, and a lovely coffee liqueur called ‘resolí’.