Pujerra AREA: 24,30 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 769 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 1100 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 135 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 361
The municipality of Pujerra is situated in the Alto Genal, in the region of the Ronda highland. The same as in the neighbouring municipality of Igualeja, the surroundings of the town are occupied by a dense chestnut forest, which becomes a pine grove as it descend to the bottom of the valley. There, in the spot called El Molino del Puente, next to the ruins of an old mill, is one of the Pujerras inhabitants most apreciated views; the presence of the Genal river with places where the people can swim. The possibility of having water and shade from the woods makes it especially acceptable in the summer. Another outstanding panorama is the Guaitará Mountain (985 m.), where in the last decades, they have planted notable pines, which, with their slender bearing and strong colouring, having given way to a spot of considerable beauty. These pines are visible from many points, as they stand out among the vegetation which surrounds them. From the road which ascends from San Pedro, you can begin to see them from the high area of the Guadalmina river, near a navvys inn. The route by the road which goes from Pujerra to Igualeja also has a special attractiveness for the dense chesnut forests. Naturally, in order to best enjoy this place, it is recommended to go at the end of the summer and beginning of autumn, when the chesnuts have leaves. Little is known of Pujerras history, although it is supposed that it ran the similar luck as the neighbouring towns. The most we have managed to learn are the traditions handed down through the generations which the elders still relate as fact; such is the legend that the visigode king Wamba had possessions here. What does seem evident is that the same as with nearby towns, it has Arabic origins, as there are similar patterns.
The towns streets are narrow and steep, with a very irregular outline. Many houses have masonry with whitewashed fronts and Arabic roofs. In some, there are bricks incrusted with a monogram of Christ, composed with Greek letters (the initials of Yesous Christos) which marked the Christians sepulchres and whose date corresponds to the 2nd century of our era. The main point of interest is the parish church, dedicated to the Espíritu Santo, but above all, what is really worth mentioning is its surroundings and their ecological value.
The development of groups of craftsmen who work with leather is quite important, although it is not a permanent thing.
The typical dishes are the olla stew pot, the pinchitada, the mosto unfermented grape juice, and the postura. Among the desserts, are the home-made rusks, buñuelos sticky buns, adn the speciality tostones.
The local festivities are celebrate on the 13th of August and the 3rd of November. The former is dedicated to San Antonio, patron saint of the village, and the lattter to the Virgen de Fatima. A cultural week is celebrated in the middle of August which coincides with the municipal festivities. Within the local folklore are the Pujerra fandangos.
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