Casares, the most famous of the "White Villages"

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Tuesday, 2 December 2008

By:Ruth Polak

The Costa del Sol is blessed with several traditional Spanish white villages,

or Pueblos Blancos, each with its own unique atmosphere. However there

is something about the village of Casares that just makes you stand and stare.

As you approach Casares up a steep winding slope it is difficult to prevent

yourself from taking a sharp intake of breath and saying outload: "wow!"

Stop the car, climb out and admire the vista from a fantastic viewing point just on

the edge of the village, looking down across the entire valley.

Hundreds of white -washed homes perch precariously across the hillside,

below the battlements of an old Arabic castle. Hold onto your sunhat

though because the viewing point can sometimes be a real wind trap!

From here take one of the many paths leading down into the village and

experience a perfect day exploring the multitude of steep, winding streets and footpaths

that make up the delightful village of Casares.For the most part it is

traffic free, having been built in the days long before the motorcar when

the only form of transport was the donkey.

Head first for the Plaza de España- the main square. Here you will discover

the statue of Blas Infante, the Andlucian Nationalist leader who was born in

Casares in 1885. There is also a fountain where you can refresh

yourself with a drink of cold, clear, fresh mountain water. Blas Infante's

birthplace has now been turned into a museum and tourist information

centre.

From the centre take one of the roads leading onwards and upwards until

you reach the old monastry and ruined church. The views from here towards

the coast are spectacular and you look down a gully where it is

reputed that Franco dispossed of his enemies during the time of the

civil war, there is a poignant iron cross commemorating those who perished.

The base of the walls date back to the Moors as does one of

the arches you may have passed through depending on your route up.

Everything above shoulder height though is more likely to have been built

after 1500. Just below the monastry you will find a museum with many

old artifacts depicting life in and around Casares through the ages.

Be sure to descend via a different route in order to see as much as possible.

Casares, as with any Spanish village, has its fair share of bars and

restaurants so be sure to partake of some local tapas. The people are very

friendly and welcoming and I am sure you will spend a memorable day in the

town.

The 2 annual ferias are held on the first weekend in August and on the

weekend closest to September 15th. They also celebrate a procession

of the Three Kings on the evening of January 5th.

After exploring the village you may like to head up the Sierra Crestillina,

which is a parque natural just on the outskirts of the village. You will

find a signpost to it near to bar/restaurante Laura.A circular

footpath has been put in right round the mountain and it is approximately a

four hour walk. The scenary and views are fantastic but be sure to take

some water with you as it can get quite hot. Good footware is also

essential as the descent towards the end of the trail can be quite trickey.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of http://www.costadelsol-
vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and
apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also
find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com