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Gaucin,A delightiful"pueblo blanco."
The Village of Gaucin in Andalucia.
Gaucin has a population of only 1,800 and is perched 626 metres above sea level. Like so much of Andalucia it has had a fascinating, if tumultuous history. The Arab influence in this part of Spain was strong and the name of the village actually derives from the Arabic"guazan" meaning strong rock.This is in reference to the crest of the Sierra del Hachoon which the village is perched. Due to its strategic position it was also a major Roman settlement and its magnificent castle, Castillo del Aguila or Eagle's Castle, dates from this era although it was later expanded by the Arabs into a fortress. As the name suggests it is not an unusual sight to see eagles circling the towers here, and kestrels nest each year in the walls of the mediaeval convent. Today the castle is open to the public from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm and occasional concerts are held here. Flamenco can also be enjoyed at the convent where concerts are held with classical recitals taking place in the church. Gaucin is also famous for its annual bull run which takes place every Easter Sunday. The streets are closed off to traffic and boards are installed down the main street of the run to protect the spectators. As with many Andalucia villages The centre is a tangle of narrow, twisting streets. It was once a haven for brandy and tobacco smugglers who travelled through the surrounding hills using many of the local footpaths to keep away from the scrutiny of the Guardia. Until fairly recently many of the houses had no running water and only one light bulb. However as with most parts of Andalucia much modernization and improvement has taken place in the village houses. Initially instigated by enterprising foreigners who snapped up cheap village houses it was not long before the locals saw the benefits of all these improvements and with the increased wealth that foreign investment and the EU has bought to the area the standard of the housing has improved dramatically. That is not to say that the village of Gaucin had turned its back on its past but has managed successfully to combine its traditions and heritage with more modern day standards of good housing and hygiene. A holiday in Gaucin offers you the best of all worlds. The quaintness and relaxed atmosphere of life in an Andalucian village along with quality accommodation, beautiful surrounding countryside and a short trip down to the Costa del Sol. The road to Ronda has also been vastly improved in recent years and it is now a pleasure to drive there from the village. Alternatively you can take the train from Estacion de Gaucin,which is actually located at Colmenar some 12 kms. from Gaucin! to Ronda and even on up to Granada. For bird watchers and hikers alike there is much to enjoy and explore in the area with plenty of places to walk and enjoy the countryside.The wild flowers in the spring are a particular delight. There are also some good English run riding stables nearby. Keep up to date with all the news and information from the Costa del Sol and Andalucia, Subscribe to our FREE E-Zine"Andalucia Life"
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