Located 142 km from Malaga at the entrance to the stunning Ronda Mountains is the charming Andalucian village of Igualeja.

The village is located at the near to the source of the River Genal and River Seco and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Andalucia. The landscape is a mix of scrubland, olive groves and chestnut trees. The village lies close to the entrance to the Natural Park of the Sierra de las Nieves and therefore makes a great base for walkers.

The village itself is very small but still is well worth the visit

Church of Santa Rosa de Lima
This church is the main attraction in the village and was built in the 16^th century in honour of Santa Rosa, on the site of an ancient mosque. It was modified a number of times during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The only part remaining from the original structure is the tower, which in its day was the Moorish minaret. Inside, the most interesting piece is the statue of St. Anthony of Padua in coloured wood, carved in the Granada style of the 17^th century. We can also see here the crucified Christ and the Child Jesus, both dating from the 18^th century, along with the image of San Gregorio Magno holding in his hand a white silver three-armed cross, it too dating from the 18^th century.

The Urban Centre of the village is very traditional and like many of the towns and villages has the authentic maze in the typical Moorish town plan. The houses here are mostly of stone, whitewashed and low and the streets are steep and winding.

One of the main reasons for going to the village to see the pretty source of the Rivel Genal and the other is the Natural surroundings like the the road that links Igualeja with neighbouring Pujerra, where a bridge across we the river Seco there is a wonderful riverbed with cliffs on both side, covered in pines and chestnut trees.. Another alternative would be to follow one of the numerous pathways that lead into the trees, a route that is especially beautiful in the autumn when the leaves are gold.

Like all the cities, towns and villages in Andalucia the village likes a good party. In February the village holds its carnival whe the villagers all dress uop in disguises and take part in a host of events organized by the town hall

The town’s annual feria, in honour of Santa Rosa de Lima, takes place on and around August 23^rd

One of the most traditional of all Igualeja’s festivals, common in this Ronda Mountain area, is the Fiesta de la Castaña, the Festival of the Chestnut, which takes place on November

The village is also famous for another reason , it was the birthplace of the famous bandolero (bandit) Francisco Flores Arocha who was born 1896 and was active in the Ronda Mountains until his death at the hands of the security forces in on December 31^st 1932.

The village may be small but it is worth visiting

Tourist information: Town Hall, Plaza de Andalucia, 26. 29440.
Tlf: 952 181 620 - Fax: 952 181 620