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The proximity of Andalusia to the north African climate and culture makes this region a unique point of reference in Europe. The Arabian art and its derivations, combined with the Christian way of life, is reflected in the music, the faces and the character of the inhabitants of southern Spain. The facades are whitewashed with lime to protect the houses from the heat.
The most famous villages are those whose geographical position makes them unique, like Zahara de la Sierra upraised on a hill perfected by a rock castle. Or Ronda lying on a gigantic precipice which has made it so famous.
However, the curious visitor will love mostly the side roads leading to discover precious little villages which are sometimes not even indicated on the map.
You have to lose yourself in the Serranía of Ronda to find Benaoján, Benarrabá, Benaluaría, Algatocín and all the others little villages.
To feel the magic of a white village is to enter into its little bars, visit its modest churches, enjoy its traditional fairs, take a look into its patios covered by flowers, and rejoice in the natural sympathy of its inhabitants and its savory cooking.
This is how great literate personalities such as Washington Irving and Merimée got to know the white villages and fell in love with them.
In the following we describe two of the most beautiful White Towns.
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Arcos de la Frontera The former Moorish settlement rises like a cue of God. Aparently nothing has changed for centuries since the Moorish left Andalusia in 1492. "De la Frontera" means "at the frontier" between the Catholic and Moorish dominion. Down in the valley the river Gudalete surrounds the town from three sides. High on top of the steep rugged rock the white casas look like eagle's nests with a wide view of the bizarre mountains.
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The medieval fortifiacation as well as the enormous gothic church San Pedro seem to be built on instable foundations. But they have been standing there for 500 years. The white facades in the narrow alleys are adorned by black wrought-iron balconies, draped with colorful flowers.
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Setenil de las Bodegas
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This village has hidden itself as if it were a shelter from the glowing sun under a large roof of rocks and romantic canyons. Here the architecture blends in the natural shape of the landscape. In some houses a rock spur forms the roof.
From the "cave street", of Setenil, alongside the river Guadal-porcún, you cannot see the blue sky where the birds are circling.
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The castle ruin and the medieval church exude a peculiar silence.
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