Hello Maharones travelers! Ready for Valle de Abdalajís?
Today we decided to drive aimlessly to the center of the province of Malaga, specifically along the A-7077 road towards Antequera passing through Álora. Looking at google maps where we are, we are struck by a town that cost the five travelers in the car to pronounce it: Valle de Abdalajís. The climb up the final stretch along the A-343 road is with many curves but with good views. At the entrance of the town there is a sign that tells us that the town is “A place to get lost …” We accept the challenge!
In front of us appears the town of Valle de Abdalajís, a very beautiful and picturesque view of the town at the foot of the Sierra that bears the same name as the town. Entering the town we find parking immediately very close to the main square. The first thing that caught our attention is a fountain with a beautiful and colorful ceramic decoration with the image of the town.
Before we started exploring we decided to have a little bite in the town. Right in front of the town hall we find a typical village bar called “Rincón del tapeito”. We sat on the outside terrace, and asked the waiter/owner for suggestions. Very kind he explains to us the tapas they have, despite the kitchen being closed to hot food, he did not mind making us some hot dishes. The waiter was very amused when we asked him about Iberian lizard (Lagarto Ibérico) on his menu, that by the way nots refer to the reptile, but to a part of the pig…
We ordered four different dishes: Prawns Pil-Pil, Porra Antequerana, ali-oli potatoes and Iberian secret. The food was plentiful and good quality. We highlight the tenderness of the Iberian secret, the abundance of the prawns and finally the freshness of the Porra Antequerana. The ai-oli potatoes were good but nothing to write home about. We paid for 4 people with drinks and bread around 31 euros. The very friendly owner recommended several things to us about the town … and we started exploring!
Back to the main square, the Plaza de San Lorenzo. In the middle, we are struck by a large square block of pink marble with an inscription that turns out to be a pedestal from an ancient Roman statue from the year 104, which was located in the old municipality called Nescania near the current town. Next to the pedestal we find the bust of Blessed Petra de San José born in Valle de Abdalajís that we did not know until today.
After examining the cozy square we enter the town passing by the Church of San Lorenzo Mártir. The church was built in 1559 and was part of the palace that borders the Church, the Conde de los Corbos lived in the palace until 1880.
Going into the upper part of town, we passed the town hall, which caught our attention, its location, it is located at a crossroads of two streets with the Sierra and the “Picacho Cross” in the background. It is at this moment that we realize that the town would be worth the visit. A town at the foot of that magnificent stunning mountain cannot leave you indifferent.
We can see from below that above the town there is a viewpoint next to the hermitage of Cristo de la Sierra. We begin the ascent to the hermitage along a well-defined path that is easy to climb. Once at the top, we see a very well-kept hermitage. The most beautiful thing is that once we have climbed to the viewpoint we have very beautiful views of the entire town below us. The climb to the hermitage is definitely worth it.
Going down to the town we continue walking around and we realize the importance of the figure of Mother Petra, especially when we arrive at the nursing home that bears her name. We would have liked to visit the Convent and see the old house and room of Mother Petra that are still intact, but due to Covid-19 reasons it was not open to the public, so we have an excuse to visit this nice town again!
At the exit of the town there is a sign where it is written “Free Flight Club”, and we discover that Valle del Abdalajís is called the “Capital of Free Flight” because of its location and weather conditions, since its environment is an ideal place to the practice of free flight such as Hang Gliding and Paragliding.
Valle de Abdalajís is a clear example why we started this blog. The sign at the entrance of the town is right, it is not a lost town but a town to get lost in. It is a clear example that there are towns in the interior of Malaga that are authentic, beautiful places that are prepared to be discovered.
Gracias y hasta pronto Valle del Abdalajís!
Junio 2020
For more information about Valle del Abdalajís Pueblo: visit the City Council page