Casares is between the Ronda highland, the Costa del Sol, and
the Campo de Gibraltar. A landscape of red rocks split by deep gorges in the Sierra
Bermeja; of forests and circles of pines which have survived the fires, and in the shadows
climb to the peak to join in Los Reales (1.440 m.) to the advance of the firs of the
higland. Further west, the sierra is converted into an observation point of limestone in
Crestellina to watch the entrance to the Ronda valley of Genal from its peak. There, amid
gorges and ridges, lives a colony of tawny vultures of the peninsular. These birds with
almost two metre wingspans, cross the Casares' skies daily, from Crestellina to Utrera,
adding another attractiveness to the area with their majestic flight. La Utrera is a small
sierra crowned by the karstic forms, typical of the Torcal of Antequera, although in
smaller dimensions, situated to the south of the municipality; at the foot of the deep
fissure which divides it in two (Canuto de la Utrera) there is an almost unknown spot
which history refers to the Roman baths of La Hedionda.
In the western half of the municipality, the Guadiaro valley
is the protagonist after collecting its tributary the Genal. Its wandering course through
the alluvium plain is accompanied by plots which extend to the sea, now in the lands of
Cádiz. Between these plots and the sierras, smooth hills open up covered with cereal
fields and pasturelands which are a clear presage of the Campo de Gibraltar.
And in the middle of this countryside is Casares, half hidden
between the foothills of the sierra, stretched across the mountain sides of the great
cliff, crowned by history with the remains of a castle which forms one of the most
beautiful villages in the province.
The findings in the shelters and caves of Ferrete,
Crestellina, Utrera, Pelliscoso, the Novia hill and the Cortijo de Alechipe show the
presence of pre-historic man in these lands. El Cortijo de Alechipe has also brought
interesting remains which could have belonged to the Roman town of Lacipo, which was built
on top of an Iberian town. There are fragments of statues conserved in the town hall.
Roman vestiges have also been found in Sierra Crestellina and the Torre de la Sal on the
coast.
During the Roman era, Casares had its own coin mint and the
tradition relates that Lacipo was built by Julius Caesar in gratitude of a skin complaint
that was cured after bathing in the Baños de la Hedionda.
The present town is of Arabic origin. There are the ruins of
the fort of that era on the top of the cliff on which the town stands. It is possible that
the farmhouses emerged around this castle which would give way to the forming of Casares.
In the second half of the 16th century, the town was the scene of capitulations which
ended one of the Moor revolts. In 1795, the segregation of Manilva was produced with the
privilege of village.
In more recent history, Casares has the honour of having been
the birthplace of Blas Infante Perez de Vargas, labour lawyer, politician, and writer, who
is considered to be the largest historic figure in Andalucia. He was born in 1885 y died
during the civil struggle in 1936.
Places to Visit
Casares forms an important part in the catalogue of white
villages of Málaga, set on the mountain, in this case, over two hills and their
corresponding depression. Its urban form of Arabic origin is an important attraction for
the tourism which saturates the neighbouring Costa del Sol. One can have an idea of the
beauty of this village as it was declared to be an Historical-Artistical Complex in 1978.
In the highest part of the town there are three outstanding
architectural elements: the ruins of its Arabic fort, the cemetery, and the parish church
of La Encarnación, from the 16th century and built with three naves and corresponding
vaults which sank. It is in the process of being restored and is therefore closed to
worship. In its place is the convent of Capuchinos, from the 16th century, with a latin
cross base and one nave covered with a vault and dome over the transept. The other church
in Casares is the 16th century San Sebastian. There is also the convent of Santa Catalina
from the 16th century, and as a civil construction is the 18th century fountain in the
square.
Other places of notable archaeological and ecological
interest are the shelters of Paredones, the caves of Ballesteros, Hediondas (neolithic
necropolis), Crestellina and the Gran Duque; the chasms of the Huesos and Pito Díaz, and
on the coast corresponding to this municipality, the Torre de la Sal, which dates from the
16th century. From the contemporary epoch it is worth mentioning, for its historical
significance, the natal house of Blas Infante.
HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
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