Costa del Sol information:
Cartama |
General Information
It is located in the Valley of Guadalhorce, at the foot of two mountains:
Espartales and Llana, which make up the mountain known by Cartama.
It is better known as El Valle del Limón (the Valley of the
Lemon). It includes La Hoya de Malaga. Hillsides and mountains form
a natural ideal place to practise various outdoors sports.
Its wealth, and historical patrimony make it one of the most important
regions in Guadalhorce. The archaeological deposits found in Cartama
are regarded as some of the largest in the province. These include
fragments of ceramics, walls, metal pieces, coins and Romans columns.
When the Phoenicians came to what is now Cartama, they found a preroman
fortified enclosure inhabited by Iberians, on the top of the hill.
Both cultures coexisted for some time. They founded a factory for
the agricultural explotation of the fertile plaine and the mountain.
A city called Carth-Ma, meaning " concealed and mother city"
was born under the enclosure protection.
In 195 B.C., the Roman consul Marco Poncio Caton conquered the citadel
and its enclosure. They later transformed and extended the enclosure
making it stronger.
Undoubtedly, the castle acquired the development and the aspect it
has today with the Arabs. During the Arabic domnation we can see the
social and political importance that Cartama has during these centuries.
When the Christians assaulted Cartama, the fortress first resisted,
but the defense gave up in 1485, and the castle received the King
Fernando the Catholic and his collaborators. The Monarchs, conscious
of the strategic local value, and its importance for the conquest
of Malaga, arranged for the castle to be made stronger.
Among its walls, the Nobles' Council meeting was celebrated, and Malaga
was conquered.
After the Kingdom of Granada, the castle remained inactive up to the
Independence War. It was the scene of a hard attack on the French,
who shetlered there after the siege of General Ballesteros.
The Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is worth a
visit. From here we can enjoy a few incomparable views of the whole
valley. They celebrate their holidays in April, when they bring the
Virgin down from the hermitage and take it to the Parish San Pedro
Apostol. During the celebration of San Isidro Labrador, they make
a famous pilgrimage through the banks of the river Guadalhorce. The
"fiestas" of the Mountain Sierra de Gibralgia take place
on June 24th in honour to San Juan.
Among the local traditions we should mention the day of the "canastitos"
(little baskets), to conmemorate Santa Ana, the burning of the "Júas"
in the eve of San Juan and the "hornazos" on Easter Sunday.
The "verdiales de los montes" is a popular dance in the
local folklore. The gastronomy is rich and varied, not only because
of the fertility of the land but also because of its closeness to
the coast. You can try the asparagus soup, and some prickly pears
yo go with it, and the cartama-style cake (torta cartameña),
the "cachorreñas" soups, the spiced pork sausages,
the loin in lard and "gazpacho" (cold tomato soup).
The parroquial church San Pedro, built in 1502, is worth a look. It
is located in the town square, where orange trees make thge landscape
typically Andalusian. It is possible to enjoy a beautiful view of
the valley from the hermitage Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.
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