Alcaucin, one of the most beautiful villages
in Andalucia
Alcaucin is located
in the northern area of the Axarquia region, between
the Sierra de Tejeda mountains and Periana and with
the spectacular Zafarraya pass behind it. The village
inhabitants are called " alcaucine–os "
and are nicknamed "Tiznaos". Alcaucin is
a nature paradise and is located at the foot of the
Sierra de Tejeda national park, where the highest
peak, Maroma, stands at 2,605 metres. This is the
highest mountain in Malaga province. The lowest point
in the municipality is Puente Don Manuel at 200 metres
above sea level. This environment is home to the richest
areas of flora and fauna in Axarquia. The main vegetation
is pine which in this case is Aleppo, but there are
also popular, cedar, oak and cypress trees, as well
as bushes such as vines, ivy, blackberry, etc. Herbs
such as thyme, rosemary, wild lavender also grow here.
At higher altitudes, the pines disappear to make way
for other plants such as junipers, hawthorn and yew.
The fauna consists for instance of mountain goats,
weasels, lynx and badgers. There is also an abundance
of nightingales, vultures and eagles here. The name
Alcaucin has Arabic origins and comes from al-qawsayn
(probably pronounced colloquially al-qaws_nt), which
means "The two Arches". One theory is that
the name arose due to the aqueduct that existed (and
still exists) in the area. After an archeological
excavation in 1983 in Zaffaraya Pass, the existence
of Neanderthal remnants was established and during
the Phoenician colonisation, the foundations to the
Zalia fortress were built but it was the Arabs that
built the current castle in 1485. There are still
elements of Moorish architecture visible today, so
when you enter the village you can see the low houses
with whitewashed walls and winding narrow streets.
The village centre is the San Sebastian square where
the church and town hall are located.
Alcaucin is also famous
for its tasty, cool mountain water that never stops
flowing into the fountain in the middle of the village.
The fantastic view from the village has also meant
that many Northern Europeans have chosen Alcaucin
as their holiday destination.
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