Andalucia is full of beautiful whitewashed villages, and one of these is located right in the heart of the stunning Sierra de las Nieves mountain range. Yunquera is located just 36 km from popular destination Ronda and 63km from the city of Malaga. The village is an idea base for exploring the stunning mountain range and its surrounding countryside which includes the Sierra de la Nieves Nature Park which has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Apart from the obvious reason of the stunning countryside that attracts many a visitor to this small village, there are many other reasons to visit Yunquera.

Some of the highlights include

The Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Parish Church

This church originally dates from 1505 although most of the building is from the 17^th Century. Its claim to fame is that it is considered the church with the largest dimensions in the Sierra de las Nieves

The Cruz del Pobre (Poor Man’s Cross) Hermitage

This building was completed in 1866 and it has a stunning hexagonal design. The building is located next to the village cemetery. Its most stunning feature however is the image of Cristo de la Cruz del Pobre (Christ of the Poor Man’s Cross) which overlooks the interior of the building.

In the direction of El Burgo you will find the the Torre Vigía (Watchtower), which now houses in information centre for the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park. The watchtower that was built in the 16^th Century is known locally as “El Castillo” (The Castle} is located about half a kilometer outside the village itself.

Two more places that are a must for visitors to the village are The Nuestra Señora de Porticate hermitage, an 18^th century building located around 5km from the village and the Arabic watchtower called the Torrecilla located on the Ronda road and is an impressive sight standing 11 metres tall.

Despite its size this little whitewashed village has an impressive calendar of festivals and fairs beginning with the village carnival in late February . During the carnival the streets of this Andalucian village are full of colorful street parades masquerade parties

Comparsa” (traditional street musical group) competitions are held during the carnival with the festivities ending with the not to be missed the “burial of the sardine” During the event the sardine is stuffed with fire crackers and then set ablaze resulting in a impressive firework display .

Like every other village town and city in Spain Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated with great passion. Highlights of the week include the processions of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (Our Father Jesus of Nazareth) on Holy Thursday night and there is a Way of the Cross that starts at the Cristo de la Cruz del Pobre hermitage and is made up exclusively of men. on Good Friday and you should be there to see the Virgen de la Soledad (Virgin of Solitude) in the dawn hours of Good Friday which is followed by nearly the entire village

Other notable dates in the year include the Corpus Christi celebration where the village is decorated with flowers and plants, and the so-called “tables” are set up that display an image of the Lord that is generally adorned with flowers and candles.The highlight of the celebrations is the procession which pass by the “tables” and a prayer is said and flower petals are showered on the monstrance. The procession ends in front of a large “table” in the village square.

The “Los Juanes” fiesta is held on the eve of the day of San Juan (23 June). Yunquera is one of the few places in Andalucia where this days celebration has a religious element.

On the 16^th July the “El Traslado,” (the Transfer) is celebrated and consists of a procession bringing the Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of Mount Carmel) from the Porticate hermitage , (the Virgen Chiquita de Porticate, to the village and the Virgen del Carmen Grande (Large Virgen of Mountain Carmel) being carried in a procession from her church to Porticate. These images remain for one month .and then the Virgen Chiquita is returned to Porticate on the 15^th August

During the return journey the procession stops where bunches of grapes are placed in the Virgin’s hands and a jasmine garland around her neck. It culminates in a meal that the pilgrims enjoy on their arrival at Porticate, and everyone returns to the village at nightfall.

The patron saint fiestas honouring the Virgen del Rosario (Virgin of the Rosary) and San Sebastián are on 7 October.

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Plaza de la Constitución, 13 (29410). Telephone: 952 48 28 21; Fax: 952 482 905. Tourist Office, Calle del Pozo, 17. Telephone: 952 482 609