Located in the northern part of the Guadalhorce valley region where it borders the Antequera region 56 km from Ronda ,the small Andalucian village of Carratraca sits surrounded by some of the most stunning landscape that Andalucia including the magnificent Alcaparaín mountain range, the smaller but equally beautiful Baños and Aguas ranges which blend wonderfully with the wide open spaces of the Guadalhorce valley

Visitors to this little village will not be disappointed however if they are interested stunning architecture.

The village was founded late on so finding any buildings or monuments from before the 19^th century impossible but the ones you will find are well worth the time spent visiting

One of the most stunning buildings is The Nuestra Señora de la Salud church, which dates from the early 19^th century which consists of three naves separated by semicircular arches resting on Tuscan columns and its roof frame is wood in the neo-Mudéjar style

One of the most worthwhile sites is the famous Balneario (Spa) on Calle Baños which is housed in a stunning neo-classic building. This is perhaps the best-known symbol of Carratraca.

Two other notable buildings in the village are the Plaza de Toros (bullring) which is a hugh bullring that houses 3000 spectactors . Its acoustics, consequently, are excellent and make it an ideal stage for the enactment of the Pasión de Cristo (Passion of Christ) during the Semana Santa (Holy Week). And the The Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), which is also known as the “Arabic house” because of its its neo-Mudéjar style. Its gardens are well worth a visit

Venturing outside of the confines of the the village are the El Duende and Abrigo de Alcaparaín caves and the Gorda and Murciélagos chasms. Which are located under a kilometre from the village,

The walk along the forest trail is well worth it and it takes you behind the bullring and it is here where you will find the ruins of the hermitage that Doña Trinidad Grund ordered built in honour of the patron saint of the village, the Virgen de la Salud (Virgin of Health).

The hermitage was destroyed by lightning and only the ruins remain, but the scenery along the route is well worth the slight exertion of the walk.

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle Glorieta, 2 (29551). Telephone: 952 458 016; Fax: 952 458 276