·  Zahara de la Sierra (A Village in White) Although a peaceful and quiet place, Zahara de la Sierra not only has all the usual modern conveniences (public internet access, cash machine, supermarkets, pharmacy, doctors, banks, restaurants, tapas bar and all basic shopping facilities) but also a variety of other atractions to enjoy, such as:
- A public swimming pool,
- A waterside recreation area (picnic area and artificial lake to swim in,) called La Playita,
- A 13th century Moorish Castle,
- A Tourist Information Point,
- A Natural Park Information Center,
- A traditional 17th century Olive Mill,
- and, a Sportscenter

Zahara de la Sierra (population 1,550) is situated on the Route of the "Pueblos Blancos" (White Villages), one of the most beautiful routes for admiring popular Andalusian architecture. It clings to the hillside between a dramatic hilltop castle and a large reservoir, formed by damming the Guadalete River. Zahara de la Sierra (its name comes from the Arabic 'Zahra' meaning 'flower') is characterized by its whitewashed houses of typically Moorish design, steep and winding streets, passageways leading to courtyards and dwellings, propped-up facades and tile roofs. It is the most perfect of Andalucía's fortified hill villages and the most dramatically sited of the Natural Park's villages; a landmark for miles around dominated by its ruined castle on a stark outcrop of rock. Once an important Moorish town (founded by the Arabs in the 8th century), its capture by the Catholic Monarchs in 1483 opened the way for the conquest of Ronda, the western gateway to Granada's Nasrid Kingdom. Zahara's castle, built by the Moors during the 13th century, has been renovated and can be reached from the village square by following a winding pathway uphill past a charming cave fountain. The views from the top of the tower are spectacular. At night, Zahara's castle is floodlit and its center and side streets take on a charming intimacy.
The heart of the village (declared as a Village of Historical and Artistic Importance in 1983), is a cobbled main street with a church at each end: the church of San Juan and the eighteenth-century Baroque church of Santa María de la Mesa in front of the charming main square. From here there is a viewpoint overlooking the reservoir.

·  Outdoor activities.Because of the special location, between lake and mountains, some activities are available: Swim in the lake, riding on horseback in the 'sierras', rambling in the Natural Park, go birdwatching, paragliding, on or off-road cycling, rock climbing, orienteering, go on camping expeditions, and much more.

·  Getting around. The roads are quiet and driving is far from stressfull. From Zahara de la Sierra you

can easily reach some of the most beautiful towns in Andalucía, such as Ronda (30 min. driving), Sevilla and Jerez (1 hour driving), Cádiz (over 1 hour driving), Córdoba, Priego and Granada (just over 2 hours driving). Alternatively , you can drive to other beautiful white-washed towns nearby: All handy for a day visit.

·  Unbeatable climate

Andalucía has one of the most agreeable climates in mainland Europe. Zahara enjoys over 300 days of sun and low rainfall: weather for enjoying the outdoors, even in winter. Winter months (warmer than early May in London) are mild with a little rain, but plenty of sunshine. Summers are hot, although tempered by the special location of H5L: its river and its thick walls create a cool oasis, where sometimes you need a bedspread for a siesta, (even in summer!).

 

The area is a walkers' paradise. The best time to take a walking holiday is during the spring months when lower temperatures combine with birds in full song and a green landscape awash with wild flowers. Late September and October are cooler too, and the autumn colours can be particularly dramatic. Although winter is officially the rainy season, there can be some fine weather too, and many days of crystal-clear visibility.

·  The Natural Park: a walkers' paradise and a botanists' dream!.H5L is located within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park (Sierra: a group of several small ranges). This Natural Park straddles the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga (535 sq km in total, at altitudes from 250m to 1654m above sea level). It encompasses the most southwesterly mountain range in Europe (the tip of the Cordillera Bética) and is among the areas of greatest ecological importance in the south of the peninsula, and therefore of great significance in Spain as a whole. The landscape, dotted with white villages, ranges from pastoral river valleys to precipitous gorges and rocky summits. The mountains act as a wall which traps many of the clouds, creating a microclimate with lush vegetation covering the surrounding Park, home to just over 1,300 plant species dating from before the Ice Age. This abundance is largely due to the fact that, during the last Ice Age, many plants that were killed off further north were able to survive at this southerly latitude.

The Natural Park was made a UNESCO 'Biosphere Reserve' in 1977 and is also considered by the European Union as an 'Area of Special Protection for Birds'.
Birds:The Sierra also supports over 117 different species of birds, wintering species as well as summer visitors. March and April are particularly good months for birdwatchers.
Among the resident species you will find large and small birds of prey like the águila imperial (Spanish Imperial eagle) -found in no other country-, the águila real (golden eagle), and several other eagles (such as Bonelli´s, and booted eagles), the acrobatic milano real (red kites), the common cernícalo (kestrel), águila ratonero (buzzard), the gavilán (sparrowhawk) and, finally, aguiluchos (harriers) and búhos (owls).
But the kings of the larger birds in this area the buitre negro (black vulture), the alimoche (Egyptian vulture), and above all, the buitre leonado (griffon vulture) that can be seen flying over Zahara, and it makes one of the largest colonies in Europe.
Other characteristic birds are the oropéndola (golden oriole), the orange-and-black alubilla (hoopoe), various pájaros carpinteros (woodpeckers) and the gold, brown and turquoise abejarruco (bee-eater). Among the birds of passage that emigrate from Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar, the two most common are the cigüeña blanca (white stork) and the flamenco rosa (flamingo)

·  The Zahara Festivities.
CARNIVAL:(Around the first weekend in March)
This fiesta is without doubt the most exuberant and pagan of them all. Everyone wearing masks and fancy dress with an extravagant sense of humour, some dressed groups are judged for their originality, satirical songsters and general outrageousness, as well as for their musical ability. Join the groups in the bars where it easy to get involved singing and participating.

SEMANA SANTA (Holy Week):
The figure of Christ on the cross, the Virgin Mary and other holy images from the two churches of Zahara are placed on pasos (ornate floats depicting scenes from the Passion) and carried in a slow and solemn march by cofradías (brotherhoods) through the streets, proceeded by nazarenos (hooded penitents) dress in period costumes and accompanied by the beat of drums and the music of the Village Orchesta.

CORPUS CHRISTI:
This is the Big Fiesta in Zahara, widely known as one of the biggest events in Spain. Corpus Christi, celebrating the presence of the body of Christ in the communion host, has been a religious holiday in Spain since the 14th century. The atmosphere during the weekend is absolutely stunning. The centre of the village is transformed in green with all the streets, outside walls and balconies decked with sedges, branches, flowers and multicoloured bunting, and numerous small portable altars are positioned everywhere.

ARROYOMOLINOS PILGRIMAGE:(Following weekend, 24th June)
In this annual Romería (pilgrimage) the whole village takes to the countryside for a picnic. Everyone in local costume, riding on horseback and headed by decorated ox carts full of picnic supplies.

LA FERIA (Fair):(four days on the nearest weekend to August 20th).
This is the main annual fair. The whole village shuts down, the main street is decorated and closed to traffic, tables and chairs outside makeshift bars line the street and a stage is set up in the main square for bands and entertainment. This is party time with concerts, parades, fireworks, fairgrounds, dancing and an all-night party atmosphere. And if you feel fit enough you can join, every morning, with the locals by running through the streets in front of vaquillas (young bulls).

PATRON SAINT'S DAY: (28th October every year)
This is cultural event, with photo and painting exhibitions, conferences and competitions during the previous week.

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