ISTÁN

From the Costa del Sol, for 14 kilometres, we have access to the villa of Istán, set between the mountains of the Sierra del Real, Sierra Blanca, the Duque and Palmitera hills, dominating the mouth of the Verde river, the scene of battles between Muslims and Christians and one of the gateways to the biosphere reserve of the Sierra de las Nieves and its surroundings.

The names surrounding Istán show vestiges of a rich Moorish past: Plaza de Armas (arms square) Puerto de la refiega (scuffle port), or Tajo Banderas (flag cleft).

The nearby Costa del Sol is the main source of income for its inhabitants, although they have not abandoned agriculture, more for a fondness for the lands than for the benefits this can bring to them. Fruits of this work is the varied gastronomy, among which there is tomato soup, corn bread, or the still hand-made Alfajor cakes or wine cakes.

In Istán you can practice large or small game hunting and fishing. The place is full of holm-oaks, cork-oaks, gall-oaks, pines, junipers, carobs, poplars, black poplars, and chestnuts, among which is the impressive Saint Chestnut, a tree with over 500 years old, declared to be "heritage to humanity".

The fauna is rich and varied, and in the municipal district live the golden eagle, the kestrel, owls and sparrowhawks, the ichneumon, foxes, the mountain goat, the boar and the otter, among many others.

Palm and esparto grass are essential parts of the handicraft.

From the 28th of September to the 1st of October, Istán celebrates the fair in honour of its patron saint, Saint Michael Archangel, with a pilgrimage and popular dances. On the 1st of November they celebrate the traditional "tostoná" for Saints day. During Easter the whole town participates in the live representation of the Passion.

The water is an essential part of the Istán landscape.

Istán basic information

The web of Istán

Sierra de las
Nieves