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Alpandeire AREA : 31,30 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL : 695 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL : 1181 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE : 13’9 ºC POPULATION, CENSUS 1994 : 317  
Alpandeire is situated on a shelf, at the foot of the sierra de Jarastepar (1425 m.) to the north of the Genal valley, in the Serranía de Ronda. The rocky landscape of the sierras which surround the municipality to the north, greatly contrast with the southern hilly half, in which the chestnuts, cork oaks and pines, alternate with the olives which extend nearby the town. There are archaeological findings in Encinas Borrachas, dating man’s presence in prehistory. Interesting dolmens and other forms of calcolithic internments have been found in Montero. Some ceramics and constructions found in La Vasija and Mimbre, prove the presence of the Romans, but the foundations, which we know today as Alpandeire were from the Arabs. In later eras, it became one of the main forts around Ronda, but after its conquest and the later expulsion of the Moors, these lands suffered such depopulation that Felipe III had to publish a decree of repopulation a few months later. In Alpandeire’s recent history, there is much stress about Francisco Tomás de San Juan Bautista Márquez Sánchez, Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire. Born in the middle of the last century and shepherd before entering the order of the Capuchinos, he gained great popularity for his kindness and help to the needy up to the point that in 1961, five years after his death, a process was initiated in order to beatify him. His remains are venerated by thousands of faithfuls in the crypt of the church of Capuchinos in Granada.
The town is formed by a maze of streets on hills as it has 700 metres altitude and occupies the side of a hill crowned by the cemetery. In the centre of the town is the parish church, dedicated to San Antonio de Padua, built in the 16th century, by the archbishop of Sevilla, Diego de Deza, although its actual appearance dates from its reconstruction in the 18th century. The interior has three naves with vaults and is covered by a dome. On the outside there are two octagonal bell towers made of brick and finnished off with pyramidal roofs. Other interesting places are the archaeological sites of Encinas Borrachas ; the impressive Genal valley and other beautiful landscapes, such as the peaks of Jarastepar, Carnero and Pozancón. The ravines of Canalizo and Infiernillo, the Fraille hills, the Chorrerón waterfalls and the birth of the Laza brook.
The gastronomy is based on dishes such as : garlic rabbit, lamb in tomato sauce, 'gazpacho' hot or cold soup. Among the desserts, the Easter baking stands out the most, such as 'borrachuelos', fruit fritters with honey, meringues, and 'rosquillón'. Other sweets are sunned dates with nuts and 'orejones' .
In mid August, the patron saints festivities take place, of San Roque with the traditional festive acts and Ronda songs, and local dances. On Resurection Sunday is the fair of the Niño del Huerto (child from the plot), and at Christmas they celebrate the fairs in honour of the illustrious son Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire.
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
Places to Visit
Shopping
Gastronomy
Festivities and Traditions