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Faraján AREA: 20,40 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 641 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 1120 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 13’8 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 320  
Faraján, which in Arabic means - pleasant place - is situtated in the Ronda region, and to be more exact, in the Alto Genal. Its lands extend from the top of the Jardón (1.156 m.) and the Romeral (960 m.) to the Hoyones hills (974 m.) and the Rosa hills (821 m.). Between both reliefs is the opening of the Genal river through deep craggs on which pine groves, chestnuts, holm-oaks and corks climb but above all the chestnuts which are the main protagonists of the Alto Genal. The first news we have of man's occupation in these lands, belongs to the Arab period. Here, there were various Moorish tribes such as the Magilas, Gumares, Bahríes, Habibies, and Hawaras. Some of these tribes managed to co-exist with Jewish and Christian minorities who had arrived here as prisoners of the war campaigns. They all lived in small communities called farmsteads, of which the most important were the Albalaxtear, Chucar, Cenajen and Castillejo. After the Christian conquest of the city of Ronda, all the previously mentioned nuclei were abandoned and their inhabitants were reunited in Faraján, making this town into ownerless lands, belonging to Ronda. In the 16th century with the expulsion of the Moors, the land was practically left uninhabited until various Christian families arrived from other places. On the 30th of October of 1814, the king Fernando VII granted Faraján a charter of royal privilege as village "as a reward of constancy, loyalty and sacrifices endured during the War of Independance against the French". And they were allowed to use the coat of arms of the Spanish Crown, with the emblem of "very noble and loyal Villa of Faraján".
The small urban nucleus has an undoubtable enchantment in its popular architecture. The most interesting monument it has, is its parish church of the Virgin of the Rosary, built at the beginning of the 16th century, reformed in the 18th century and totally rebuilt at the beginning of the 40’s in this century. It has one nave with a plane cover and inside it has a chapel with a niche. In the municipality there is a dolmen in El Romeral.
The handicraft production is limited to esparto grass weaving and works with olive brances.
Apart from the typical dishes of the Ronda highland, Faraján adds rabbit with garlic, and diverse creations on the use of pork.
The main fair and festivities in honour of the patron saint, San Sebastián, take place at the beginning of August. Other festivities are on the 8th of December, day of the Inmaculada and Easter.
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
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FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS