Grazalema
Encyclopedia
Grazalema is a village located in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz
, in the autonomous community of Andalusia
, Spain
. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range (Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
), Grazalema had, as of 2009, a population of 2,205.
During Muslim rule in the 8th century, these lands were populated by people of Berber origin and from them, the area acquired the name of Raisa lami Suli, “town of the Banu al-Salim”, place which passed to Ben-salama, “Son of Zulema and later Grand Zulema”. During this period, its economy was organised around forestry, agriculture, farming and textile manufacture.
With the Christian conquest in 1485, Zagrazalema, as it was called at the time, became part of the lands of the Ponce de León
. It became economically important as of the 17th century thanks to the drapery industry which produced the famous shawls of Grazalema. In the first years of the 19th century, during the War of Independence
, Grazalema suffered attacks and sieges from the Napoleonic troops who partially destroyed the village.
and the fact that the town is one of the pueblos blancos, the so-called White Towns of Andalusia
, tourism now plays a major role in sustaining the village and its people. The mountainous area around Grazalema is popular with climbers and hikers, and local people make money by providing accommodations and hospitality to visitors.
Cádiz (province)
Cádiz is a province of southern Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe....
, in the autonomous community of Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range (Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a natural park in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz in southern Spain. The park encompasses, within its , a complex of mountain ranges, known collectively as the Sierra de Grazalema, which, in turn, are part of the Cordillera Subbética...
), Grazalema had, as of 2009, a population of 2,205.
History
The Roman villa of Lacidulia, situated in an estate near to the present village has been traditionally considered the ancestor of Grazalema.During Muslim rule in the 8th century, these lands were populated by people of Berber origin and from them, the area acquired the name of Raisa lami Suli, “town of the Banu al-Salim”, place which passed to Ben-salama, “Son of Zulema and later Grand Zulema”. During this period, its economy was organised around forestry, agriculture, farming and textile manufacture.
With the Christian conquest in 1485, Zagrazalema, as it was called at the time, became part of the lands of the Ponce de León
Ponce de León
-People:* Juan Ponce de León, a Spanish explorer of the Americas and first Governor of Puerto Rico* Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the son of Juan Ponce de León II, and early settler of Ponce, Puerto Rico...
. It became economically important as of the 17th century thanks to the drapery industry which produced the famous shawls of Grazalema. In the first years of the 19th century, during the War of Independence
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, Grazalema suffered attacks and sieges from the Napoleonic troops who partially destroyed the village.
Main sights
- Hermitage of the Sain
- Town Hall palace
- Parish church of the Incarnation (17 to 19th century)
- Church of Our Lady of Aurora, in Baroque style (18th century)
- Museums: Cloak factory, Our Lady of Carmen, textile handicraft
Economy
Traditionally, the economy of the village was generated by small-scale agriculture, sheep herding, cork harvesting, and handicrafts, like hand-weaving lambswool cloth and furniture-making. These activities are now quite limited and under-resourced. Due to the location of Grazalema in the middle of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural ParkSierra de Grazalema Natural Park
The Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is a natural park in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz in southern Spain. The park encompasses, within its , a complex of mountain ranges, known collectively as the Sierra de Grazalema, which, in turn, are part of the Cordillera Subbética...
and the fact that the town is one of the pueblos blancos, the so-called White Towns of Andalusia
White Towns of Andalusia
The White Towns of Andalusia, or Pueblos Blancos, are a series of towns and large villages in the northern part of the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga in southern Spain, mostly within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park....
, tourism now plays a major role in sustaining the village and its people. The mountainous area around Grazalema is popular with climbers and hikers, and local people make money by providing accommodations and hospitality to visitors.
Events
The first fiesta is the Romería of San Isidro Labrador which is held on the last Sunday in May (celebrating the arrival of summer). On 13 June, the village celebrates Benamahoma, the fiesta in honor of its patron, San Antonio. During the third week of July, the Fiestas of Carmen are held which climax with the Monday of Bulls. The first Sunday in August, Benamahoma celebrates the festival of Moors and Christians. The most important agricultural festivals in Grazalema are held during the third week in August. The eighth day of September is the day of the Virgin of the Angeles, who is the patron saint of Grazalema.In popular culture
Some scenes in the Spanish horror movie Una vela para el diablo (1973) were shot in Grazalema.External links
- http://www.360cities.net/image/torreon
- Grazalema Guide Information about Grazalema and surrounding areas.
- Grazalema Andalusian statistical information system