HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE

The town of Alozaina occupies a slightly high position in the western region of the Guadalhorce valley. Its lands extend from the Rio Grande valley, to the south, up to the peak of the Sierra Prieta to the north, thus joining the lands of the valley with the western mountains of the Serrania de Ronda. This lets Alozaina enjoy a natural and varied landscape, which finds its most beautiful sceneries on the sides of the Sierra Prieta, especially of the Ventanilla, which can be reached through the forest of the Cuesta de Pino Alto. An exceptionally interesting scenic trail, which allows for magnificent panoramas over the Guadalhorce valley.

The presence of man in these lands goes back to the Neolithic period, judging by the signs left in the Tajo de Jorox caves. But the first vestiges of urbanism are in the Roman period, as well as family settlements in the Ardite area.

The actual town’s origins would have to be looked for in the Arabic rule, an era in which the castle was built of which only ruins remain. The name of the town also comes from that era, and derives from the popularly deformed word Alhosaina - small castle - . With the Arabs, Alozaina went beyond the limits of the Roman fort, creating an urban complex around it and even some poor quarters. After the Christian conquest in 1484, Alozaina formed an open base around the castle.

One of the most outstanding historical episodes took place during the Moorish rebellion in 1570, when the women, led by María Sagredo, confronted a surprise attack from the rebel Zebalí troops.

FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS

The patron saint's festivities of Santiago and Santa Ana are celebrated on the 25th of July, the carnival in February, the olive fair on the 12th of September and on the 19th of May is the Jorox pilgrimage.

Alozaina shares the traditional fandangos with Alora and Jorox.

(From: www.costadelsol.net)