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Montejaque AREA: 46,60 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 687 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 1666 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 15’9 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 1.043  
The municipality of Montejaque is situated on the western border of the province of Malaga. Its lands extend through the valley of the Guadiaro river and the Sierra de Líbar. It is therefore a frontier territory between the Ronda region and the Cadiz Sierra de Grazalema, in which the largest part of the district belongs to its Natural park. Although the town looks out to the Guadiaro valley from the foot of the rocks of El Hacho (1.075 m.), its landscape is hidden inside the sierra, where some of the most beautiful spots imaginable are enclosed. Coming out of Montejaque by the pathway which ascends between the Sierras of Montalate and Juan Diego, soon after leaving the last houses behind, it is worth stopping and looking back to contemplate an attractive frame of the town between the rocks of the two sierras. After an ascent of more than 2 kilometres, you arrive at an unusual spot. There, on the top of the sierra at almost 1.000 metres there are some large plains covered with prairies in which the bovine cattle graze. In the centre of the plain there is an old stray pathway which evokes stories of diligences, fusiliers, and highwaymen. Entering the town by the old and narrow road which goes from Ronda to Seville, soon after crossing the cork-oak forest of Bogas Bajas between large gall oaks which border the road, you arrive at the Montejaque reservoir, where the enormous entrance to the Cueva del Hundidero is, where the Gaduares river disappears to reappear four kilometres away. At this point the set of back lighting made by the Cerro Tavizna and other hills nearby adds a special beauty to this space. The town of Montejaque has Arabic origins and its name means ‘lost mountain’. Here, there used to be a castle which watched over part of the highland, in a time when the town had a great importance in the area. When the Catholic Kings handed Montejaque over to the Count of Benavente and named him the Lord of Montejaque and Benaoján, both towns stopped being considered Ronda suburbs. During the Moorish uprising in the 16th century various events took place, among them the numerous attempts suffered by the Moorish mayor Mohamad Idriz for colaborating with the Christian troops. Later, he was recompensed by the Christians for his attitude, giving him lands and a life long income. Another story tells of the scuffle between the warrior José de Aguilar with the French troops on the Guaduares river’s bridge on the 20th of October 1810, with the participation of men from Montejaque, Benaoján, Atajate, Cortes and Jimera de Líbar, a total of 250 men who won the 600 French soldiers and 90 horsemen.
The old part of town, full of white houses and picturesque spots, ascends up to the high suburb which is characterized by the labyrinth of narrow streets, which are typical of the Arabic era. In the low part of town, formed by parallel and symmetric streets, is the parish church of Santiago, in late Gothic style founded at the beginnning of the 16th century. It was reformed in the 18th century and inside one can see, over the presbytery, a vault and an interesting picturesque decoration in the baroque chapel of the Gospel nave. The temple’s tower, which has been totally reformed, presents an octagonal last body.
The handicraft of the area basically offers leather articles.
The most characteristic dish is trotter stew with a piece of each part of the pig, as well as pork crackling, and home-made bread buns. There is also stew with chick peas, pumpkin, peas, artichokes, salt pork, black pudding, and kid meat. There is mosto wine and ‘mistela’ a drink made with liquor, water, sugar, and other ingredients such as cinnamon and aromatic herbs.
The festivities take place from the 16th to the 18th of May and the 14th to the 17th of August in honour of the Virgen de la Concepción, patron saint of the town. During these festivities, the youngsters of the town carry the image of the Virgin on their shoulders up a steep hill to the chapel of Escarigüelas, in gratitude of the miracle attributed to the patron when she arrested and epidemic of cholera. The women from Montejaque are accustomed to carrying water pitchers on their heads and this way can participate in the dancing competitions during the festivities.
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