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Benarrabá AREA: 26,20 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 522 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 1260 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 14’3 ºC POPULATION, CENSUS 1994: 672  
Benarraba leaves the main road which joins Algeciras with Ronda via Gaucín, and hides behind a small hill, opening up to the Genal valley over a long hill at 522 metres above sea level. The same as in other towns in the municipality, its lands pass from this valley to the Guadiaro valley amid cork-oak, holm-oak and pine woods, which are substituted by olive groves in the northern half of the former, and by dry crop cereals in the central area of the latter. Here also, the banks of the main river beds, together with its natural vegetation, contribute to a beautiful agricultural landscape, based on fruit groves, lemons and vegetables. Benarraba was founded by Arabs from the Berber tribe of Bann Rabbah or -sons of Rabbah -, which is where the name of the town comes from. These built a castle on the side of mount Porón, from which Gaucín, Jubrique, Genalguacil and Algatocín were dominated, therefore acquiring the category of vigil of the valley. Among the most notable anniversaries in this town’s history is the visit organized by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, Gaspar Pérez de Guzmán, to whom the town belonged in his feudal estate, and who in 1636 appeared with a large court and much ostentation.
Back to the highland, Benarrabá is one of the towns in the Genal valley which has its church as the principal monument of architectural interest, once the Arabic castle which dominated the urban enclave from the top of Mount Porón disappeared. This church, dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, dates from the 17th century and was rebuilt in the 18th century. The most interesting part of it is its decoration, based on polichromatic reliefs in relation to the Anunciación, San Sebastián martyr, and other saints. The principal facade has a simple style and is peculiar as it has a lobed arch and ends in a triangle, and is crowned by two pyramid pinacles. The double bodied tower is quite singular because next to its structure and side openings, the roofed vault sticks out and is covered with blue glass ceramics. Another monument of less importance is the chapel of the Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, also from the 18th century.
Although some don’t give much importance to its handicraft, others place Benarrabá as an example in the craft of embroidering bedspreads and lace work.
The most common, all year round dishes are pork products, but the winter dishes are the most numerous, such as tripe, stew, hot soup, and pine kernel paste. In Autumn, there are mushrooms, and in the summer cold soup. The confectionery is based on nut paste rusks, and fritters.
The patron saint's festivities dedicated to San Miguel and San Sebastian, are on the 29th of September and the 20th of January respectively. The fair is in mid August.
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History and Landscape
Places to Visit
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Gastronomy
Festivities and traditions