Andalucia Life, Towns, Villages and Cities
Gaucin
Gaucin is like Casares, another Andalucian 'white village' perched on a rock buttress overlooking the River Guadiaro. At a height of 626 metres it commands a view of the surrounding area as far as Gibraltar and Africa.
How to Get There
Take the N340 to Sabinillas, turn inland at the roundabout in Sabinillas, following the signs for Manilva go around the village of Manilva staying on the main road. As you leave the village pass over the toll road and go straight on following the signs for Casares. After 9 kilometres there is a road to the right to Casares, but you carry straight on for another 14 kilometres to Gaucin.
Geography
Gaucin is the most western point of the Serranía de Ronda, Penibética. Some of its peaks are over 2000 meters high, and it is crossed by the Genal, Guadiaro (River of gold, so-called by pre-Roman inhabitants) and Hozgarganta rivers. To the east are the Sierra Bermeja mountains with Los Reales the most prominent peak, and to the south Casares and the peak of Sierra Crestellina. To the west is the broadening river valley that widens out to the plains surrounding Gibraltar.
History
The first inhabitants of the Gaucin area were Paleo and Neolithic cave dwellers and they have left cave paintings in the vicinity. They were succeeded by the Iberians to judge from the ceramics found in the castle's water deposit who were, in turn, removed by the Phoenicians. The Phoenicians established the first gold mines nearby.
The Romans arrived in the area around 400BC and realised that Gaucin was the easiest route to the interior. They built a road, the Camino de Gibraltar, which is still used and in parts is intact. During the Roman occupation the first castle was built although nothing remains of it today.
In the 5th Century Gaucin was invaded by the Visigoths. They called the town Belda. Their occupation lasted 200 years. In 714AD the Moors invaded and used the Roman roads to good advantage. The Moors renamed Belda, Gauzan and it became the westernmost outpost of the Kingdom of Granada and the site of many battles. Gaucin remained under the Moors until 1457 when the town was liberated by King Henry IV although many Moors (mudejars) remained until the 16th Century.
Due to many rebellions against the Catholic monarchs by the mudejars they were almost constantly at war against the crown and during this period many people returned to Morocco or became vagrants. Gauzin became depopulated. There are local tales of Moroccan pirates allying themselves with the mudejars to kidnap Christians for ransom. Gaucin was in fact connected with the coastal watchtowers built to look out for these pirates. The mudejars were in turn hunted by ex soldiers and ruined farmers who sold them into slavery. The area became a lawless no-mans land until some order was restored at the end of the 17th Century.
In 1704 the British took Gibraltar but left Gaucin to its own devices. By the end of the 18th Century many British Gibraltarians used Gaucin as a summer resort, taking advantage of the cooler mountains. Then followed a turbulent period.
In 1808 the French invaded Gaucin and, following a bloody battle, razed the town and stole its treasures. Bandolerismo again took over as the main occupation. The British occupation of Gibraltar provided an opportunity for the Contrabanistos who smuggled English goods into Spain from Gibraltar. An occupation that lasts to this day.
Gaucin was again sacked during the Carlist wars by the anti monarchists who then imposed heavy taxes on the population. Although unpopular, this did lead to a period of comparative stability in the area and English tourists started to visit the Hotel Nacional in Gaucin in larger numbers. This stability only lasted until the Civil War. Many people were shot before Gaucin was captured by the nationalists in 1936. Again the population was impoverished and turned to banditry and smuggling. Many in Gaucin still remember this period.
Flora/Fauna
Around Gaucin and within Los Alcornocales National Park varieties of oak, chestnuts, almonds, St. John´s bread (algarrobo), poplars, elms, willows and pines grow in abundance. In the valleys fruit trees include the pomegranate, quince, and fig. Herbs like thyme and rosemary grow on the crags and the area is renowned for wild flowers.
In some of the wilder areas you may be lucky to see foxes and wild cats, mongoose, martens, badgers, weasels, moles, porcupines, bats, and wild boar which inhabit the countryside around Gaucin. Gaucín is also a major point for viewing the migratory birds from Africa that have crossed the straits and, like the Romans, choose the easiest route to the inland areas.
Festivals - There are lots of festivals in Gaucin.
Carnival, Late February / March
The major attraction are the chirigotas, fantastically costumed groups that sing of current events in a humorous way. A party held on the main square with an orchestra goes on until dawn
Easter
One of the most popular festivals of the year, the toro de cuerda (bull on a cord.) On Easter Sunday two bulls, one at 10 a.m. and one at 4 p.m., are let loose to run through the town, chased by any brave enough to take part. Even though the bull is on a long rope there have been some gorings.
Corpus Christi
40 days after Easter Sunday after Mass there is a procession from the Church with the Holy Sacrament, accompanied by children in their First Communion finery. The Holy Sacrament in the Monstrance is carried through the village, with stops at altars decorated with flowers and carpets, where pilgrims pray and sing.
Feria
1st / 2nd week of August. A vestige of the ancient livestock fair, the event is now in honour of patron Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows). Features casetas, rides for children, restaurants, orchestras, dancing, performances by local groups etc. Feasting, drinking and dancing until dawn and later.
Pilgrimage of the Holy Child Romería, Last Sunday of August
The image of the Santo Niño is taken in procession from the castle to the site of his apparition, now an ermita, for a rociera (flamenco) mass followed by dancing, singing, food and drink until dawn.
Feast in Honour of the Santo Nino, 7th - 8th September
During 9 days townsfolk climb to the castle for a novena, held in the Chapel of the Holy Child. Mass is celebrated and guest preachers preach. A party is given in the main square to commemorate the apparition of the Holy Child, with processions, food, drink, music and dancing.
New Years Eve
A party begins at midnight in the Convento. Feasting, drinking and dancing until dawn and later.