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Cútar AREA: 18,20 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 331 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 560 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 16’7 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 623  
Cútar extends over the northern hillside of the Cútar hills among olives and vines, which cover the largest part of the hills surrounding the town. The urban landscape, characteristic of the Axarquía villages is presided by the church tower which stands out over the houses on the highest part of the village. The arrival at Cútar from El Borge offers attractive views of the surroundings, in some parts showing the Cerro de Comares as a scenic landmark. Once in the Cútar lands, the landscape offers beautiful spots in the bottom of the valleys of the Cueva river, which runs through the municipality from north to south, and also the Cútar river which is a tributary. In both, the plots on the river banks bring a notable colouring which is especially showy in the Salto del Negro, now bordering with the municipal district of Benamargosa. There is also the Peña de Hierro, of which the rocky crown powerfully stands out. The position of Cútar in the valley of the Cueva river, and therefore, near the natural communications way between the High and the Low Axarquía, with hills which rise above the surroundings in the form of watchtowers, has favoured man’s presence in these lands since prehistory. The terraces of the Cueva river and the Peña del Hierro met this presence, which extended from the neolithical era until the Bronze Age. Nevertheless, the first news we have of the present settlement corresponds to the Arab era. The name of the town has its origins from the Arabic term "hisn aqut", which means - acute castle -, a now gone castle, from which the town grew under its shelter. The area enjoyed great economic prosperity thanks to the export of raisins, until the Moor rebellion and its later defeat ruined it. Also, close by, some centuries later, would begin the Phylloxera plague which ended its main source of richness.
The parish church, apart from the town for its architectural and scenic beauty, is the only outstanding monument in Cútar. It was built in honour of the Virgen de la Encarnación at the beginning of the 16th century, although it was later restored in the 18th century, by which the primitive Mudejar style brick arches which separate the three naves covered with wooden armour, are added to the baroque niche of the epistle nave and the rococo beautiful chapel at the foot of the temple. In the town there is also an Arab fountain which isn’t documented and in the municipal district there are various archaeological sites in the Peña de Hierro which give testimony of the prehistoric settlements, as well as a town and a necropolis.
As there are no handicraft products, the only thing one can buy is the good sweet wine and some home-made pastrymaking.
As well as the Muscatel wine, the local gastronomy is based on 'ajoblanco axarqueño' a cold soup, chick pea and spicy sausage stew, 'gazpacho' cold summer soup, and soup with bread and oil which is common to other surrounding towns.
After Easter and the procession on Good Friday, the Saturday closest to the 15th of May is when the pilgrimage of San Roque takes place and the night of the 23rd and 24th of June are the bonfires of San Juan. In the middle of August are the main fairs of the patron saint San Roque.
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
Places to Visit
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FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS