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Gaucín AREA: 97,30 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 626 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 1338 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 14’5 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 1.760  
Gaucín presents one of the most varied landscapes in the province. In the Sierra del Hacho, although not very high (1.011 m.) the hillsides are very steep, with abundant thickets where there is no rock, giving a great showiness. The rest of the sierras are lower, presenting a dense blanket of vegetation which is basically composed of cork oaks, holm-oaks and pine woods, as well as bush formations mixed with chestnuts and wild olives. Added to the exuberance of these hillsides, on the bottom of the Genal valley, there is an attractive agricultural landscape which takes advantage of the river’s meanders and extends plots and rural houses next to the varied vegetation of its banks. To the west, the other important valley in the district, the Guadiaro, presents spectacular spots between the Maravillas, Escribano, and Mora hills, with slopes of thick woods and thickets. Near the Estación de Gaucín, the valley widens and the fruit plots reappear. In the Gaucín landscape there are also cereal fields on the southern hillsides. Above them is the town, guarding the pathways which enter from the coast to the highland through Genal. Because of its elevated situation over the surroundings, Gaucín is a privileged observation point from where there are ample panoramas, amid which the Valley of Genal stands out. Its origins are Roman, but the town was formed during the Arab rule. At that time the town was formed as the poor quarters of the Castillo del Aguila, erected by the Arabs over the remains of a roman fort, built on the rock which gave the town its name, Sair Guazan or Sagra Guazan - strong rock. The strategic situation of this place and the defensive reinforcement in the Arab era converted it into one of the hardest places to conquer by the Christian troops. According to the chronicles, Pérez de Guzmán, Guzman el Bueno met his death under the castle’s walls on the 17th of September 1039 during an incursion siege on the place. Soon after the Christian conquest, the Arab inhabitants rebelled and were dourly stifled by the marquis of Cadiz and the count of Cifuentes. During the 16th and 17th centuries Gaucín offered conditions of security and shelter from the Berber pirates' raids on the coast. During the War of Independence it was converted into an important focus in the resistance against the French troops, thanks to the help offered by the English in the nearby Gibraltar, but finally Napoleon’s troops devastated Gaucín and destroyed the municipal and parish files. Later, it registered a booming development which can be appreciated in some facades of the main street and in the existence of a hotel at the beginning of the 19th century.
One of the most beautiful towns in the Ronda highlands, with streets which overcome the rough geography by creating steps or steep hills, with forever whitewashed houses as an expression of the popular Moor architecture, of surroundings, to sum up, which attracted travelling painters and sculptors in the 19th century. On the highest part of the urban nuclei are the ruins of the Castillo del Aguila or de Gaucín, which was rebuilt on various occasions, the last time in 1808 because of the War of Independence and reinforced in 1842 during the rule of the general Espartero. It’s height, 150 metres on the east and north and a bit less on the south and west, mark the two arduous entrances. There are three wells and a mine or subterranean escape route, work of the Arabs. Up to the last century it was armed and adorned. Next to the fort, on the eastern part, is the chapel of the Santo Niño which used to be inhabited as barracks, and one of the castle’s towers as a magazine. In the town centre there is the parish church of San Sebastian, built at the beginning of the 16th century and later restored until it was given an air of Renaissance in the main facade and bell tower. The convent of the Carmelites was previously the chapel of the Vera Cruz and dates from 1704. Among the civil constructions worth mentioning there is the Fuente de los Seis Caños, from the 18th century, as well as a series of stately houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, with lintelled doors and noble arms cut in stone, as well as the many samples of iron railings and balconies made with the hands of the expert forgers.
One of the handicraft specialities in Gaucín is precisely the iron work or forging. There are also master potters and those who are dedicated to fabrics, cane and design ceramics.
The authoctonous culinary offer is similar to other highland towns, as with the pork products. It is in the confectionery where they have home-made creations, such as cakes, white rusks, and meringues.
In the second week of August they celebrate the fair of the Virgen de las Nieves. From the 8th of September and during three days, the festivity of the Santo Niño takes place. The night of the 23rd of June they light the candles and the next day the pilgrimage to San Juan is organized. The Sunday of Resurrection, at Easter, is the tradition of freeing the so called ‘toro de cuerda’ which is no more than letting loose a young bull in half liberty or tying a bull with cord to be fought in the town square.
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