Algatocín is in the southern part of the Ronda region between the rivers Genal and Guadiaro and nestled in a mountain range more than 700 metres above sea level.

It is a classic mountain village, a splash of white houses amidst the green of the nearby forests. It is a gift to the senses -especially the sight- and a temptation to the photographer.
In this region a perfect balance has been reached between development and the scenic surroundings, no doubt due to the Algatocileños’ innate respect for the bountiful nature that surrounds the village, a respect or wisdom that is also to be seen in the way the terrain and the natural resources are used. Thus the lands where water is most abundant, such as the highest part of the Guadiaro valley, are used for irrigated crops, while those in the Genal valley, a more rugged area, yield products of its varied forest cover.
In the village itself, which is Moorish in origin, the streets are zigzag, sloping or narrow to adapt to the uneven terrain, and among its simple and neatly whitewashed houses several buildings from the eighteenth century stand out, lending a touch of nobility to the urban complex with their coats of arms and porticoed façades. .

It is not reckless to assert that Algatocín originated during the Roman domination, judging from the remains found at Cerrogordo, a place very close to the village. It is much more reasonable, though, to credit the Arabs with founding this village, whose written historical record begins with the settlement of the Berber Al Atusiyin tribe.
A legend has it that the village’s name comes from that of Princess Algotisa, daughter of Abomelia, second Moorish king of Ronda. Be that as it may, this locality was not consolidated until after it was conquered by Christian troops and repopulated with Castilian families.

 

How to Get There:

Coming from the Costa del Sol, by either the AP-7 expressway or the old N-340, take the A-377 at Manilva, which will take you to Gaucín. Here take the A-369, which is the continuation of the A-377 and leads to Algatocín. If you begin the trip in Ronda, you only need take the A-369 towards Algeciras, and Algatocín will be 30 kilometres from the city of the famous El Tajo.

 

 

Interesting Facts:

Surface Area: 20 square kilometres
Population: nearly 1.000
What the natives are called: Algatocileños
Monuments: Nuestra Señora del Rosario church and the Calvario hermitage
Geographical Location: located in the River Genal valley, in the Ronda mountains, 143 kilometres from Málaga capital and 30 from Ronda, main town of the region. The village is 721 metres above sea level. Average annual rainfall exceeds 1,200 litres per square metre and the average temperature is 14.5 ºC.
Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle Fuente, 2 (29491). Telephone: 952 150 000; Fax: 952 150 081