Information Points

The Route of the Almoravidsand Almohads connects thecoast and the villages of theStraits with Granada viaCadiz, Jerez and Ronda,following the main means ofcommunication of thenetwork that linked thenorth of Africa and the southof al-Andalus. The stretchthat runs through theprovinces of Cadiz, Malagaand Granada, splits into twobranches in Algeciras, whichconverge in Ronda, fromwhere a single final sectiongoes on to Granada. Todaythe journey follows a modernnetwork of roads (A-369, A-381, A-382, A-92, A-367,N-331 and A-359).

This Route evokes the long andprofound relationship betweentwo continents, barelyseparated by a narrow strip ofsea. This fascinating journeyrevolves around the strategiccrossroads, where Africa and

Europe face each other, sharing the foundations of themythical Pillars of Hercules. The old people, withexpressive sensitivity, call this region "The TwoBanks" due to their proximity and mutual dependence.It is a region linked by the dense network of pathsthat crossed and converged, multiplying the tiesbetween men. The essence of this fruitful contact hassurvived: a common cultural and artistic source and aspecial art of living. What better way to discover andenjoy it but to follow the path taken by theAlmoravids and Almohads, the people from theSahara, who, between the 11th and 12th centuriesmoulded the Western Maghreb and al-Andalus into ahuge empire. Following its African prelude, thiscultural route commences in Tarifa, which togetherwith Algeciras, are the starting points of the trip. Thejourney reveals the irresistible charms of the coast, thecultivated plains and the sierras of Cadiz and Malaga,with villages and towns which preserve the most pureAndalusian charm. Breathtaking landscapes,legendary towns and castles, monuments, traditions,along with the warm hospitality of its people, are theingredients of this irresistible itinerary, whichtraverses valleys and mountains and ends in the finalmagical destination of Granada.

ALGECIRASOficina de Turismo de la Juntade AndalucíaJuan de la Cierva, s/nTel. 670 948 731

TARIFAOficina Municipal de TurismoPaseo de la Alameda s/nTel. 956 680 993

CASTELLAR DE LAFRONTERAAyuntamiento.Plaza de Andalucía s/n.Tel. 956 693 001

JIMENA DE LAFRONTERAAyuntamiento.Calle Sevilla, 61.Tel. 956 640 569

GAUCÍNAyuntamientoCalle Guzmán el Bueno, 23Tel. 952 151 000

CASARESCasa Natal de Blas InfanteCarrera, 51Tel. 952 895 521

ALGATOCÍNAyuntamientoFuente, 2Tel. 952 150 000

BENALAURÍAAyuntamientoPlaza Teniente Viñas, 1Tel. 952 152 502

BENADALIDAyuntamientoPlaza Beni al-Jalí, 1Tel. 952 152 753

ATAJATEAyuntamientoPlaza de la Constitución, 2 .Tel. 952 183 504

ALCALÁ DE LOSGAZULESPunto de InformaciónPlaza alameda de la Cruz, 14 Tel. 956 420 330

MEDINA SIDONIAOficina Municipal de TurismoPlaza Iglesia Mayor s/n.Tel. 956 412 404

CÁDIZOficina de Turismo de la Juntade AndalucíaRamón de Carranza s/nTel. 956 203 191

EL PUERTODE SANTA MARÍAOficina Municipal de TurismoPlaza Alfonso X el Sabio, 9.Tel. 956 483 715

JEREZ DE LAFRONTERAOficina de InformaciónTurísticaPlaza del Arenal s/n.Tel. 956 338 874

ARCOS DE LAFRONTERAOficina de InformaciónTurísticaCuesta de Belén, 5.Tel. 956 702 264

GRAZALEMAOficina de InformaciónTurística.Plaza Asomaderos, 3Tel. 956 132 052

ZAHARA DE LA SIERRAOficina de InformaciónTurística.Plaza del Rey, 3Tel. 956 123 114

ALGODONALESAyuntamiento Avda. de Andalucía, 2Tel. 956 137 003

OLVERAOficina Municipal de TurismoEdificio la CillaPlaza de la Iglesia, s/nTel. 956 120 816

SETENIL DE LASBODEGASOficina Municipal de TurismoVilla, 2Tel. 956 134 261

RONDAOficina de Turismo de la Juntade Andalucía.Oficina Municipal de Turismo.Paseo Blas Infante s/n.Tel. 952 187 119

TEBAAyuntamientoPlaza de la Constitución, 13Tel. 952 748 020

CAMPILLOSAyuntamientoAvda. Sta. Mª del Reposo, 4Tel. 952 722 168

VÉLEZ-MÁLAGAOficina de InformaciónTurísticaC/ Poniente, 2, Torre del Mar.Tel. 952 541 104

ALCAUCÍNAyuntamiento.Plaza de la Constitución, 1.Tel. 952 510 002

ZAFARRAYAAyuntamientoEntrada de Granada, 2Tel. 958 362 560

LA MALAHÁAyuntamientoReal, 16Tel. 958 587 101

LAS GABIASPunto de Información.Plaza de España, 1Tel. 958 580 261

GRANADAOficina de Turismo de la Juntade Andalucía.Plaza Nueva. Santa Ana, 4.Tel. 958 575 202

Oficina de InformaciónTurística del PatronatoProvincial.Calle Cárcel Baja 3.Tel. 958 247 128

Oficina Municipal deInformación Turística.Ayuntamiento de Granada. Plaza del Carmen s/n. Tel. 958 248 280

It is not by chance that many Spanish and foreigntravellers think that the different stages covered bythis route reflect the essential traits of the image of

Andalusia, as if in a mirror: splendid vestiges of a Muslimpast, which flourish from Algeciras to Ronda andGranada. Towns and fortifications swathed in chivalrousromances, unusually vibrant and dramatic landscapes, thecosmopolitan atmosphere of Cadiz, in contrast to therustic authenticity of the villages in the sierras. Theubiquitous presence of flamenco as the deepest example

of popular expression,and, finally, theimportance and interestincited by the horse andthe fighting bull,protagonists in so manyfestivals and places inthese lands.

ANDALUSIA IN CLOSE-UP

When considering the altitudes on the route, there is a marked contrast in the courseof the journey. The first part runs through villages situated at sea level; Algeciras,Cadiz, El Puerto and in slightly elevated sections of the plains like Alcalá, Medina andArcos, at altitudes between 100 and 300 m. Further on, the large part of the journeyruns through mountainous and highland areas between 500 and 800 m. in altitude.Ronda and Granada are over 700 m. The highest point in the journey is the town ofGrazalema, boxed in by mountains at 812 m.

The route covers a stretch of about 300 to 450kilometers between Algeciras and Granada,depending on the options of path chosen. From

Algeciras and Tarifa a first branch goes directly to Rondathrough the serrania, and passing through Castellar,Jimena de la Frontera, Gaucín and the villages located inthe Genal river valley, along the A-369 road. The westernbranch of the route, on the other hand, covers longerdistances. It passes through Alcalá de los Gazules andMedina Sidonia, connected by the A-381 and goes on toCadiz, El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez. From here itfollows the A-382 towards Arcos and the White Villagesof Cadiz: Grazalema, Zahara, Algodonales, Olvera,Setenil, until it reaches Ronda. The route then rises up theA-367 to Teba and Campillos, where it joins the N-331and the C-340 towards Vélez-Málaga. After the routealong the villages in the province of Granada, we shallarrive at our goal: Granada

ITINERARIES AND DISTANCES

The name of this route makes reference to the twomovements which forged great empires in NorthAfrica and the Iberian Peninsula between the 11th

and 13th centuries. From the Western Sahara andMarrakech, the capital founded in 1070, the Almoravidscreated a vast dominion, which stretched from Senegal tothe kingdoms of al-Andalus. Their successors and rivals,the Almohads, or “The Unitarians”, came from the Atlasmountains. Following a great conflict in the middle of the12th century, the Almohads took control of Marrakechand consolidated their power in the lands of the Maghreband the Peninsula.

ALMORAVIDS AND ALMOHADS

THE WHITE VILLAGES

The group of small towns and whitewashed villagesthat stand out in the beautiful countryside of thesierras between Arcos and Ronda, the so-called

Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), constitute an essentialsection of this route. Their romantic appearance, clusteredaround castles and churches and dominating the horizonfrom cliff tops and hilltops, or sheltered under imposingmountains, impress and captivate the traveller. The same feeling occurs when the visitor enters thecharming maze of the old town centers, with windingstreets that still retain all the essence of medieval timesand the atmosphere of an architecture which embodiesthe ideal of typically Andalusian construction: soberelegant façades, whitewashed walls, empty gaps enclosedby wrought iron grills, roofs of red tiles and, inside, patioswith wells, flowerpots and plants that are a haven ofintimacy. Arcos, Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, Olvera,

Setenil de lasBodegas and awhole bunch ofvillages, makeup one of themost attractiveitineraries ofpopulararchitecturethat can befollowed inAndalusia.

TOWNS, VILLAGES AND CASTLES

The traces of the legacy of al-Andalus become patent along every step of the road, in thecompact appearance of the villages, in their defensive and monumental constructionand in their traditional architecture; a panorama, which later on was enriched in

artistic forms and constructions, which ranged from Mudejar to Baroque, following theChristian conquest. The Almoravids, like their successors at the head of the Hispano-Muslimempire, the Almohads, were skillful constructors, who notably promoted the enlargement of

the Andalusian towns,endowing them with extensivewalls, alcazabas (fortresses)and other buildings. Theperiod covering the 12th tothe 15th centuries was equally decisive, when these landsconstituted the western frontier of the Kingdom of Granada, untilits fall in 1492. It was then, either on the initiative of the Muslimsor the Christians, that the villages along the route acquired theunmistakable and legendary medieval appearance whichcharacterizes them, with tightly grouped centers, surrounded bywalls, sheltered by defiant castles and fortresses and connectedby a network of fortified towers and watchtowers.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE

CádizAlgeciras

Granada

GASTRONOMY

This route could be described as a full gastronomictour through the provinces of Cadiz, Malaga andGranada, given the variety and quality of products

and recipes that can be found all along these itineraries.The Atlantic coast of Cadiz offers delicious and fresh fish

and shellfish, while thecountryside provides a delightfor the palate in its wines fromJerez, along with gazpachos,thick soups and otherspecialities. From the sierrascome cured pork products of allkinds, as well as game,casseroles and stews cookedwith aromatic herbs, while theplains in the interior roundAntequera and Granada, offervegetables, fruit and olive oil ofthe highest quality, providingthe basis for a rich country

cuisine. Special mention has to be made of the wide rangeof sweets, full of references to al-Andalus, such as pestiños,amarguillos, alfajores and an on-going list of sweets thattitillate the taste buds.

HANDICRAFTS

The arts and crafts traditions are still going strongtoday in the countryside, some inherited directlyfrom the urban guilds, others connected with the

agricultural and ranching background so predominant inthis area. The diversity of products ranges from highquality book-binding to musical instruments in theworkshops of Cadiz and Granada; inlaid woodwork andfurniture in Cadiz, Jerez or Ronda; fine wrought ironand metal work in Ronda or Granada. Pottery and

ceramics arepresenteverywhere;textiles inGrazalema, whereits well-knownwoolen blanketsare still woven onage-old looms;leather goods,with the principal

centers of production in the Sierra of Cadiz; carvedwoodwork and barrel making, objects made fromvegetable fibers and other crafts, like saddle-making,which are all witness to deep popular roots.

FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS

The calendar of festivities along the route is verytight. The Carnival, which has its epicenter inCadiz, marks the end of winter. In spring, a whole

series of events take place: Holy Week with itsprocessions, the first fairs like the Horse Fair in Jerez, thepilgrimages and the Corpus Christi festivities, whichprecede the endless succession of ferias and fiestas insummer, amongst which there are various festivals ofMoors and Christians. Flamenco, which has its mostgenuine roots here, is present in all these festivals.

TRADITIONRoute of the Almoravids and Almohads

The legacy of al-Andalus

Corral del Carbón, Granada, Spain.Headquarters of El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation.

The Iberian Peninsula went through one of themost privileged periods in its history duringthe Muslim era, which resulted in a brilliant

civilization. During this time, Andalusia became thecultural centre of Europe and the link between Eastand West.

The Routes of “El legado andalusí” go throughthose paths which connected the kingdom ofGranada with the rest of al-Andalus in the past.Along this itinerary travellers have the possibility ofenjoying wonderful landscapes on a quiet journey,tasting exquisite dishes and giving free rein to theirimagination by turning past events into a presentexperience.

Route ofAlmoravids

andAlmohadsFrom Algeciras to Granada,

passing through Cadiz, Jerez, Ronda andVelez-Malaga

Cultural Route of the Council of Europe

Fundación Pública AndaluzaEl legado andalusí

Calle Mariana Pineda s/n. Corral del Carbón. 18009 Granada, Spain. Telephone: +34 958 225 995.

www.legadoandalusi.es - www.rutas.legadoandalusi.es - info@legadoandalusi.es.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: legadoandalusi