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Sayalonga AREA: 18,20 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 359 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 620 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 18 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 1.053  
The Sayalonga landscape is formed by the valley of the Algarrobo-Sayalonga river and by the Ravita de Sayalonga hills. The valley is deep and with steep slopes, but at the banks of the river, in some low areas and around the town, man has known how to make the best of the water creating a humanized surrounding of crops which smoothen the hardness of the environment. Further from these small cultivated areas, the vegetable blanket corresponds to thickets and pastures. On the Ravita hills, the abruptness continues to be the dominant note, but there is a notable presence of scattered houses which add a considerable human impression to this territory. Sayalonga’s position, in a valley which is converted into a communications way between the settlements at the foot of the sierra and the coast, must have favoured man’s presence in these lands since old, although the moment the area was originated is unknown. Once again, it must have been the Arabs who consolidated the occupation of the area, not only forming the urban nucleus, but other settlements close to this one, as in the case of Corumbela on the opposite slope of the valley. Here the minaret is conserved from an old mosque which has been converted into the tower of the present church. After the Christian conquest, the events in Sayalonga were similar to the rest in the area until the expulsion of the Moors.
Being typical, the town offers a special beauty, crossed by two parallel streets, which branch out into narrow valleys. There is an old fountain, "del Cid", and another two, more modern ones, and there are various prettily designed squares. The traditional houses have two storeys, with railed balconies covered with Arab tiles. The parish church, in Mudejar style, is dedicated to Santa Catalina, and was built in the 16th century, although it was reformed later. It has a square tower and a chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, and it is situated in the highest part of the municipality, which gives it a special relief. Its cemetery is also worth mentioning, characterized by its rounded form and the architecture of its vaulted niches. The estate of the area has one floor with various rooms and a stable for the cattle. Usually, the door is covered by a canopy made with brooms, canes, and often a vine arbor.
The most interesting handicraft is the developed art in esparto grass weaving and wooden furniture. There is an oil mill and a bread factory.
‘migas’ are traditional and are made with wheat flower or bread and accompanied by baked herrings and tomato, cucumber, and onion salad, or also served with baked cod and ‘gazpacho’ cold soup. They make a typical country gazpacho, which is very minced and is usually eaten with olives or apples. There are also local dishes such as ajoblanco, fennel stew, pork crackling, ‘cachorreñas’ soup, and broth. Fritters dipped in cane honey are in demand at Easter. The muscatel wine of the area has a very good taste.
The patron saint's festivities in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary are celebrated in the last week of August. There is also the pilgrimage on the 7th of October. The festivities for Candlemas are very popular, on the 7th and 8th of September, when the family dines around the bonfire. After the dinner they drink ‘aguardiente’ liquor accompanied with hazlenuts and toasted chick peas and they dance ‘verdiales’. They are the typical festivities of the estate during the chores of grape stomping.
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
Places to Visit
Shopping
Gastronomy
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS