"Mañana" - The Andalucia Guide & Diary

Genalgaucil Revisited

I've been ignoring my blog as work isdemanding most of my time. However I've managed to get away at the weekend as it was a holiday "puente" bank holiday.  We went to Genalgaucil as a friend as a bar there and since it was the village's feria weekend, it's pretty much the best time to visit; take in some free paella and live music in the square; explore the streets and see what new pieces of public art have been installed; and generally relax.

Genalguacil: "Arte y Naturaleza"

We've just got back from Ronda. This time we took the road towards the western part of the coast, taking us through the small pueblos blancos south west of the city. Of these, Genalgaucil was once off the beaten track.  The village is at the end of a 6km, winding deadend.  Umm - a tourist office marketing nightmare.  But starting in the 80s, the village started to redefine itself as an artistic community, with works of art throughout the narrow streets - supported by an annual arts festival. Little details like hand made street numbering signs, street signs in hand painted ceramics and excentric and striking sculpures made walk through the town all the more interesting.
Our return journey took us through the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, with its striking red rock formations and diverse pine forests.  We took the small detour to a "refugio" at the top one of the mountains from where we could see the western Costa del Sol - and even Torre Bermeja apartment complex (a quick plug for the holiday rental apartment - we're taking bookings for August now!).  Again, at this height the new developments and hotels of the coast seem to melt away into the green lanscape of this spring view.