by Tim Harry

Created on: July 16, 2010

Andalusia has become one of the most popular of tourist destinations within Europe. The Costa del Sol, running from Cadiz down to Malaga, has become a huge draw for those tourists wishing to laze on the beaches during the warm winter and hot summer days. Andalusia has far more to offer than just sun, sea and sand though, and travel even a few miles in land and there are plenty of interesting historical sites, and beautiful towns that would enchant any visitor. One such town is Casares.

Casares is situated just under 15km inland, and can be reached from the AP-7, leaving it near to Torre de la Sal or Manilva. The road to Casares is not a main road but allows for some picturesque views of the Andalusia countryside. Eventually though an even more beautiful sight emerges that of a Pueblo Blanco, a white town rising out from the countryside. The majority of buildings in the town are painted a brilliant white making for an almost fairy tale image.

Arguably the most prominent of buildings though is not white, and that is the twelfth century castle which sits in the centre of Casares. The castle is an indication of the history associated with the town, although it is a history that dates back to the time of the Romans. Indeed legend has it that Julius Caesar himself was cured of a liver ailment by the local water, and for this reason the town of Casares was given the rights to mint coins.

Casares was central though in many of the most turbulent elements of Spain’s history. The town was a Moorish stronghold from the twelfth century and was a town with strong Moor roots up until the time of the Moorish dispersions of the fifteenth century. Even in the nineteenth century though Casares was a stronghold, and alongside Cadiz were the two main settlements that managed to withstand the advance of Napoleon’s forces.

The history of Casares does draw many people to the town, although in terms of tourist numbers the town attracts relatively few each day. Some well preserved Roman ruins can be seen outside of the town including the Roman town of Lapico, and parts of the local aqueduct. Inside the town there is also a small local museum.

Most visitors to Casares will normally park outside of the town’s centre, as parking in the actual town is difficult, something that is not helped by narrow streets. A short walk from the outskirts of the town though will bring a visitor to the main square of the town, the Plaza de Espana.  Many people choose to sit outside one of the local cafes to take in the quietness of the town, and those people should also be able to observe a statue of Blas Infante. Blas Infante was the most famous resident of Casares, and was a local politician and writer.

Having relaxed, many visitors will start the most exerting part of a visit to Casares with a walk up the town’s narrow streets until the pinnacle of the town is reached. It is at this point, some 1400ft above sea level that the Moorish castle and abandoned church. As well as the ruins of the two buildings though there is the whole vista of the Andalusia countryside to behold and on a clear day it is possible to see Gibraltar.

Observant visitors may also see the markers placed to remember those people killed during the Spanish Civil War. The gorges around Casares were often used to kill members of both factions.

It is perhaps best not to dwell on the more macabre elements of a visit to Casares, as the town is both beautiful and restful, and provides an insight into true Andalusia. 

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