sábado, 24 de abril de 2010

martes, 20 de abril de 2010

1) Álora, información general.

The small town of Alora is situated 40 kms north of Málaga by the road to Antequera and just 12 km south of El Chorro. From a distance, it is a typical pueblo blanco; a whitewashed village nestled between three rocky spurs topped by the ruins of a magnificent castle which has an interesting history. Alora's castle was first built by the Phoenicians and subsequently expanded under Roman rule. In the 5th century the castle was virtually destroyed by the Visigoths, only to be rebuilt under the Moors; remnants of this era still remain, namely the decorative steel door and the traditional Arab mirador.
In between 1587 and 1593 Alora was home to the fabled Cervantes and in 1628 Alora gained independence from Málaga. Alora is said to be the birthplace of Malagueño flamenco. A visit to the village, which consists of a series of very steep slopes and attractive cobbled streets, is well worthwhile.

(from: http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_information.htm)

Alora enjoys a privileged location in the Guadalhorce Valley, which it overlooks from the north, standing atop a small hill. As well as its vegetable gardens, orchards and citrus trees, it also boasts interesting areas nearby, such as Los Gaitanes Pass (which it shares with Ardales and Antequera), the Sierra de Huma and the Sierra de Aguas. Its urban layout, of Arabic origin, gives it a special charm, which must be enjoyed without haste, due to the steep nature of its streets, which lead up to the symbol of the village: the castle, made even more curious by the fact that it is now used as a cemetery.


The highlight of Alora's buildings is Our Lady's Church.

(from: http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_information.htm)


El pequeño pueblo de Álora está situada a 40kms al norte de Málaga por la carretera de Antequera y a sólo 12 kms al sur de El Chorro. De lejos, parece un pueblo blanco cualquiera; un pueblo que se encuentra entre tres colinas, y encima de la más alta las ruinas de un castillo magnífico con una historia interesante. El castillo de Álora fue construido primero por los Fenicios y más tarde se expandió bajo la ley de los Romanos. En el siglo 5 el castillo fue casi destruído por los Visigodos, para ser reformado bajo los Moros; remanentes de esta época todavía existen, principalmente la puerta grande de metal y el tradicional mirador Árabe.

Entre los años 1587 y 1593 Álora fue hogar de Cervantes y en 1628 el pueblo recibió la independencia de Málaga. Dicen que Álora es donde surgió el Flamenco Malagueño. Una visita al pueblo, que consiste en una serie de colinas muy grandes y calles de gijarros, es una idea fantástica.

(de: http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_information.htm )

Álora se encuentra en una zona privilegiada en el Valle del Guadalhorce, que es vista desde el Norte, situada en una colina pequeña. Además de sus jardines de vegetales, huertas y sus frutas cítricas, también tiene muchos lugares interesantes alrededor, como Los Gaitanes Pass (que lo reparte con Ardales y Antequerra), la Sierra de Huma y la Sierra de Aguas. Su disposición urbana, de origen Árabe, le da un encanto especial, que debería ser disfrutado sin duda, gracias a sus calles escarpadas que llegan al símbolo del pueblo: el Castillo, que es curioso porque ahora es usado como un cemeterio.



La cosa más importante de Álora es nuestra Iglesia de la Mujer.

(de: http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_information.htm)

Ellis y Antonio.

lunes, 19 de abril de 2010

2.1) Álora, historia.

Alora's castle was first built by the Phoenicians and subsequently expanded under Roman rule. In the 5th century the castle was virtually destroyed by the Visigoths, only to be rebuilt under the Moors; remnants of this era still remain, namely the decorative steel door and the traditional Arab mirador.
In between 1587 and 1593 Alora was home to the fabled Cervantes and in 1628 Alora gained independence from Málaga. Alora is said to be the birthplace of Malagueño flamenco. A visit to the village, which consists of a series of very steep slopes and attractive cobbled streets, is well worthwhile. The whitewashed streets are lined with lemon trees and converge on a square on the lowest level, overlooked by a the impressive seventeenth century church of La Encarnación which was built during the Catholic era of rule on the site of a former mosque.
From the square, climb to the castle on foot, or go by car, to the cemetery from where you can enjoy the splendid panorama of the Guadalhorce river basin.

(http://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/alora/home.htm)

In Roman times, it was known as Iluro, while the Arabs called it Alura.
Alora was an important Roman town between 81 and 96 A.D., as proved by the archaeological remains found here pertaining to the period, particularly a monolith from the time of the emperor Domicianus, on which the words "Municipium Iluritanum" can be read. Today it stands in the patio of the parish church. The town, linked to the Roman region of Betica, was, according to the historian Columela, an important trading centre of wheat, barley, honey, wine and oil. All these products could be easily obtained from the area’s land and its prosperity was such that Alora even minted its own coins.

It was conquered by the Vandals in the 5th century. Remains from the Visigoth period can be found in the fortress located atop Las Torres mount.

During the Moslem occupation, the Christian kings besieged the town on numerous occasions due to its privileged strategic location (the castle overlooks the whole Malaga basin). Alfonso VIII attacked it in 1184, Alfonso XI in 1319. Later, John II, 1434, and Enrique IV, 1455 also tried to conquer the town. Due to its proximity to Bobastro, where the muladi (Christian converted to Islam) chief Omar Ben Hafsun gathered his forces, the town must also have played a key role in the 11th-century rebellion against the Caliphate of Cordoba. Its reputation as an impregnable fortress gave rise to one of the most beautiful frontier ballads: the Ballad of Alora, which refers to the town as “the well besieged" and which can be seen reproduced on a tablet embedded in the castle walls.

The town finally fell into Christian hands on 10 June 1484. The attacking troops, who bore the banner of the Catholic Monarchs, were led by Captain Don Luis Fernandez Portocarrero.

After the Christian conquest, the town’s inhabitants continued to live inside the fortress, and the original parish church, now the cemetery chapel, was built on the foundations of a former mosque. With the passage of time, the town began to spread to the foot of the hill.

A decree issued by Philip IV in 1628 saw Alora cease to belong to the city of Malaga "for evermore", according to the exact wording of the document.

An earthquake left the original church in ruins in 1680 and destroyed the older districts of the town.

The Castle, witness to so many deaths in attempts to capture and defend it, later became the town cemetery.

(from: http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_information.htm)

-El castillo de Álora fue el primero construido por los fenicios y posteriormente ampliado por los Romanos. En el quinto centenario del castillo, fue destruido por los Visigodos, solo lo reconstruyeron los Moros; todavía existen los restos de esta era, a saber, los restos la puerta de acero decorada y el tradicional mirador Árabe.

- Entre 1587 y 1593 Álora fue la casa del fabuloso Cervantes y en 1628 Álora se ganó la independencia de Málaga. Se dice que Álora es el nacimiento del flamenco Malagueño. Si visitas la ciudad, consiste en una serie de cuestas empinadas y atractivas calles. Las calles están encaladas y bordeadas con limoneros; convergen en una plaza en el nivel más bajo. Allí predomina una iglesia del siglo XVII, la Iglesia de la Encarnación, que fue construida en tiempos de los Reyes Católicos en el lugar de una antigua mezquita. Desde la plaza, se puede subir al castillo a pie o ir en coche, hasta el cementerio, desde donde podrá disfrutar del espléndido panorama de la cuenca del río Guadalhorce.
-En tiempos de Roma, era conocida como Iluro, mientras que los árabes la llamaron Alura.
Álora fue una importante ciudad romana entre 81 y 96 dC, como lo demuestran los restos arqueológicos encontrados aquí en relación con este período, en particular un monolito de la época del emperador Domiciano, en el que las palabras "Municipium Iluritanum" se pueden leer. Hoy en día, se encuentra en el patio de la iglesia parroquial. La ciudad, vinculada a la región romana de la Bética, era, según el historiador Columela, un importante centro de comercio de trigo, cebada, miel, vino y aceite. Todos estos productos pueden ser fácilmente obtenidos de tierras de la zona y su prosperidad era tal que incluso Álora acuñaba sus propias monedas.
-Fue conquistada por los vándalos en el siglo 5 º. Los restos de la época visigoda se pueden encontrar en la fortaleza situada en lo alto de Las Torres de montaje.

Publicado por Ana y Anabel.

2.2) Historia.

Durante la ocupación musulmana, el rey cristiano sitió la población en numerosas ocasiones debido a los privilegios estratégicos de la localización (desde donde se ve toda la cuenca de Málaga). Alfonso XIII la atacó en 1184, Alfonso XI en 1319. Después, John II, en 1434, y Enrique IV, en 1455 además conquistaron la torre. Debido a la proximidad de Bobastro, donde el muladí (cristiano convertido al Islam) era el jefe Omar Ben Hafsun. Reunió a sus fuerzas, el pueblo también debe haber jugado un papel importante en la rebelión del s.II luchando contra el Califato de Córdoba. Su reputación como una fortaleza inexpugnable dio lugar a una de las baladas más hermosas: la Balada de Álora, que se refiere a la ciudad como "la bien sitiada" y que puede verse reproducida en una placa incrustada en los muros del castillo.

La ciudad finalmente cayó en manos cristianas el 10 de junio de 1484. Las tropas atacantes, que llevaban el estandarte de los Reyes Católicos, fueron liderados por el capitán don Luis Fernández Portocarrero.

Tras la conquista cristiana, los habitantes de la ciudad continuaron viviendo dentro de la fortaleza, y la iglesia parroquial original, ahora la capilla del cementerio, se construyó sobre los cimientos de una antigua mezquita. Con el paso del tiempo, la ciudad comenzó a extenderse a los pies de la colina.

Por un decreto emitido por Felipe IV en 1628, Álora dejó de pertenecer a la ciudad de Málaga "para siempre", según la redacción exacta del documento.

Un terremoto dejó la iglesia original en ruinas en 1680 y destruyó los barrios más antiguos de la ciudad.

El castillo, testigo de tantas muertes en intentos de capturar y defender, más tarde se convirtió en el cementerio de la ciudad.

Melania & Mª José.

domingo, 18 de abril de 2010

3.1) Álora y el Valle del Guadalhorce. Naturaleza.

The River Guadalhorce flows through the Los Gaitanes Gorge to irrigate a fertile valley, the most important in Malaga.

As the valley runs alongside the mountains, the Mediterranean forest appears: olive trees, cork oaks, pines and chestnut treAs the valley runs alongside the mountains, the Mediterranean forest appears: olive trees, cork oaks, pines and chestnut trees. The landscape rises along the Los Horcajos ravine and climbs toes. The landscape rises along the Los Horcajos ravine and climbs to shady landscapes and plains where Spanish firs and ancient gall oaks grow.

The Caminito del Rey, closed to the public, is a path running along the bare wall of this Natural Area. Nearby, the village of El Chorro and the Roman ruins of Bobastro are also well worth a visit.

The 2,016 hectares protected by Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Beauty Spot are located in the interio of the Subbetica mountain range, and create a spectacular landscape. They include an impressive gorge through which the River Guadalhorce flows, between enormous slabs of stratified limestone.

It is considered to be of immense ecological importance. Its walls, which are up to 400 metres high, are home to a variety of plant and animal life, a clear example of adaptation to a vertical milieu.

Fauna.

The higher zones are inhabited by the mountain goat. Smaller animals such as the blackbird and the swift live in the lower areas, near the water. The middle section of the gorge is home to the falcon, kestrel and goshawk, as well as other medium-sized birds of prey. The peaks are nesting areas for large birds of prey such as the golden eagle and tawny vulture.

Other inhabitants of this Beauty Spot are the wild cat, the genet, the dormouse and the mongoose, which can be seen by the more daring from a hanging walkway known as "The King´´s Path" ("Caminito del Rey"), which crosses the gorge at an altitude of 100 metres.

Flora.

The most characteristic botanical species are: the Aleppo pine, umbrella pine, holm oak, eucalyptus, hawthorn, gorse, white rockrose, cistus and black juniper.

El río Guadalorce fluye por el Cañón de los Gaitanes para el riego de un valle fértil, el más importante de Málaga.

Como el valle bordea las montañas, el bosque mediterráneo aparece: olivos, alcornoques, pinos y castaños. El paisaje se levanta a lo largo de la quebrada de Los Horcajos y sube a los paisajes sombríos y llanuras donde los árboles crecen.

El Caminito del Rey, cerrado al público, es un camino que recorre la pared desnuda de este Área. Muy cerca, la villa del Chorro y las ruinas de Bobasto también merecen la visita.

Las 2.016 hectáreas protegidas del Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, paraje que se encuentra en el interior de la cordillera Subbética, crean un espectacular paisaje. Incluye una impresionante garganta por donde fluye el río Guadalhorce entre enormes losas de piedras caliza estratificadas.

Se considera de gran importancia ecológica. Los muros,que son hasta de 400 metros de altura, son el hogar de una variedad de vida vegetal y animal, un claro ejemplo de adaptación al medio vertical.

Fauna.
  1. Las zonas más altas son habitadas por los animales de montaña, que son cabras. Chiquititos como el mirlo que viven en las zonas bajas, cerca de la sección de agua. En el medio de la quebrada se encuentra el halcón, el cernícalo vulgar y el azor, así como en otro medio, las aves rapiñas. Los picos son áreas de nidificación de grandes rapaces como el águila real y el buitre leonado.

Otros habitantes, en este espacio de belleza son el gato montés, la jineta, el lirón careto y la mangosta, que pueden ser vistos por lo más atrevidos de una pasarela colgante conocida como Caminito del Rey, que atraviesa la garganta a una altitud de 100 metros.

FLORA.

Las especies botánicas más características son: la jara, el pino carrasco, encina, eucalipto, espino, retama, jara blanca y el enebro negro.

REALIZADO POR MANUEL JESÚS LOBATO PÉREZ.

sábado, 17 de abril de 2010

3.2) El Chorro.


El Chorro.

A 12 kilometros de Álora, un pueblo llamado El chorro y en el se encuentra el cminito del rey, es un cañon de por lo menos 100 metros y por el que pasa el rio Guadalhorce como si cortara la roca con un cuchillo, y tiene 7 kilometros de largo. En el Chorro, también se encuentra la Sierra de la Huma y la Sierras de Aguas. También se encuentran los embalses del Rio Guadalhorce. Se encuentra El Buitre leonado, rapaces, mochuelos y buhos, y algunos mamiferos como el zorro común.

-El Chorro.

A 12 km from a town called Alora, the jet and is the cminito the king is a barrel of at least 100 meters and tata Guadalhorce river passes as if the rock cut like a knife and has 7 km of longe. It is also Sierra de Huma and Sierras de Aguas. It is also the Rio Guadalhorce reservoirs. It is the griffon vulture, raptors and mochuelos y buhos, and some mammals such as common zoro.

viernes, 16 de abril de 2010

4) Gastronomía.

Monday is market day when the village becomes a lively mass of stallholders and shoppers. Alora's economy is based on agriculture, in particular the cultivation of tropical fruits, olives and grape vines. The cuisine of Alora uses the traditional Mediterranean ingredients of olives, almonds and citrus fruits.
There are some delicious local dishes, including sopa porota, based on a garlic broth with croutons and a revuelta of scrambled eggs with spring onions and vegetables.

(http://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/alora/home.htm)

Alora has an excellent traditional cuisine based on their own land products. Between the most typical plates we emphasize the 'perotas' soups, very usual food between the cultivations' workers; usually they also eat fruits like grapes, prickly pears and oranges, as well as cucumbers, olives, or crude onion. Other typical dishes are 'migas' and 'gachas' (very common in this side of Malaga). In summer you can taste the red pepper, an exquisite variety of 'gazpacho', 'salmorejo', 'pipirranas' and green asparagus omelette. There is also a big variety of 'chacina' products (cured pork and milk) like the pork loin in lard with homemade bread and other sausages derived from the pork. In pastrymaking, Alora has homemade jams, sweet potato dust pasty, twisted rolls of door furnace and a unique 'horchata': the hazelnut ice cream. To begin the day there is not better meal than 'El Hacho' camomile with a spurt of lemon. The most representative dishes are:

Sopa Perota - recipes of Alora, malaga

Sopa perota

Ingredients:
250 gr of clams
2 tomatoes
2 peppers
2 garlic cloves
1 peasant bread
1 small onion
1/2 tablespoon of red pepper
A bit of minced black pepper
Mint
Olive oil
Salt

How to cook it:
- Mince and fry the onions, the garlic and the peppers.
- Once fried lightly without gilding the onion, peel and add the tomatos and cook it until forming a sauce.
- Mince the red pepper and the black pepper, then add it to the pan.
- Cook the clams in a litre of water.
- Put slices of bread in a large plate and pour the soap above.
- Then put mint leafs above.
- Place the clams and we will be spilling water of the baking of the clams above until the bread is soaked.

(http://www.malagacar.com/information/alora_gastronomy.htm)

Publicado por: Beatriz & Mari tere

Los lunes es el dia del mercado cuando el pueblo se convierte en una animada masa de tenderos y compradores. La economía de Álora está basada en la agricultura, el cultivo de frutos tropicales, aceitunas y parras. La cocina de Alora utiliza ingredientes tradicionales mediterráneos como aceitunas, almendras y frutos cítricos.
Hay muchos platos locales deliciosos, incluyendo las sopas perotas, basada en caldo de ajos, con trozos de pan y huevos revueltos con cebollas de primavera y vegetales.

La cocina de Alora era una excelente tradición basada en sus propios productos de la tierra. Entre la mayoria de los platos típicos nosotros hacemos las sopas perotas, comida muy normal entre los trabajos de cultivo; normalmente nos gusta comer las frutas como, las uvas, peras y naranjas, tanto como pepinos, aceitunas o cebollas crudas.Otros platos típicos son las migas y las gachas(muy común en este pueblo de Málaga).En verano puedes saborear el pimiento rojo, una exquisita variedad del gazpacho, salmorejo, pipirrana y tortilla de espárragos verdes. Hay una gran variedad de embutido (carne de cerdo curada y leche) la carne de lomo en grasa hecho en casa pan y salchichas en le carne.En tarta hecha

jueves, 15 de abril de 2010

5.1) Álora, fiestas populares.

Alora's main fiesta is the flamenco festival which is held annually in June. Another popular traditional event is the Romería de la Virgen de las Flores which takes place in the middle of September and is one of the best places to enjoy, first-hand, the traditional verdiales.

'Virgen de las Flores' feast takes place the 8th of September. In June is celebrated the festivity in honor of San Paulino and later, in July, the 'Festival de Cante Flamenco'. But the main feast of this municipality is the 'Despedia' (easter Friday). Hundreds of visitors go to see how the thrones of the Virgin and the Christ are transferred in a race to the Castle.

Alora also celebrates a gastronomical feast that has been consolidated like one of the most important in the province, the 'Dia de las Sopas Perotas', dedicated to the most traditional dish of Alora. It takes place in the middle of October.

5.2) Fiestas típicas de Álora (*)Celia y Mari(*)

In Álora, parties are very lively. The people here are very happy and are always partying. The four most popular festivals are:
The Carnivals
It's a party in which everyone can participate. It's fun because everyone dresses up in the style they want and the best costume wins a prize. The party is very set, everyone involved must be in costume and sing something that matches your costume. There are dance groups, clowns, ... It's a special night full of magic and humour in Álora

Holy week

Holy Week in Álora is a very traditional custom of the town. Álora Holy Week has been celebrated for centuries, all his saints are very special an d old, especially the Blessed Jesus of Nazareth of the towers, known as The Lord of t he towers. Still, each of the other saints have their unique and special thi ngs, and each has their guild and followers. The most important day is Good Friday, Álora is full of people from everywhere who come to see the "Farewell." On this day come paratroopers and legionnaires make it very exciting. The Lord of the towers and the Virgin of Sorrows is located in the lower plaza of Álora and they're seen off in a special way, many people even cry of emotion ... After the meeting in the lower square and the paratroopers farewell after running up the throne of the lord of the castle towers accompanied by many people who also runs up to acco mp any his beloved throne. When the throne arrives in the towers drop their flowers and people try to catch them so excited. Once everything is over the paratroopers and legionnaires who were in the square with the virgin marching.

PILGRIMAGE OF THE VIRGIN OF FLOWERS


La Virgen de Flores is our patron, along with the Virgin de la Cabeza. His image is in the Convento de Flores, two kilometers from the village of Alora. In September events are held in honor of our Patron. The Virgin is lowered to the Church of the Incarnation to celebrate the ninth and the Sunday after September 8 (day of the patron), including carriages, wagons, horses and pilgrims on foot, the Virgin goes to the convent.

FAIR ÁLORA


Álora Fair held in late July and early August. In the precincts of the Day Fair, located in the Plaza "Fuente Arriba", confraternities, associations and bars in town are crammed to the public until eight at night. There are performances of DJs and live music. On the night fair is held in a compound located in the vicinity of the village.
Atractions, Hut Municipal, stalls and other entertainment will delight everyone. In Alora Fair held various sporting events (domino tournament, Miguel Bootello Memorial chess, football, clay pigeon shooting, etc ...). It also is host of the singing competition Trilla.

miércoles, 14 de abril de 2010

6) Álora, principales visitas.

Desfiladero de los Gaitanes: El Chorro and Caminito del Rey
This impressive gorge, declared a place of natural beauty, is where the Guadalhorce river passes through great stratified limestone plates which reach up to a height of 400 metres.

Rock church and Ruins of Bobastro
The rock church is a most interesting example of architecture carved on the rock. One is in the ruins of the city of Bobastro.

Castle of Álora
At the present time, which we can see is the chapel of the castle-cemetery. The greater chapel is only conserved, with a gothic vault or of crucería of which it was the primitive parish called of the Towers. The rest is totally destroyed.

Convent of Flowers
The Convent of Flowers is a religious building that dates from XVI century. The wood armor of its ship is only conserved. The chapel is of baroque style.

Encarnación Church
Is the third greater one of the province. The interior is divided in three separated ships by heavy columns of ashlar masonry on which arcs of wood armor are developed. Within the manierista style of century XVII.

martes, 13 de abril de 2010

Naturaleza-Hacho-Àlora

El Hacho de Àlora(Español):

*El Hacho de Alora es un paraje natural que consta de varios tipos de àrboles:
-Encinas-algarrobos-olivos-pinos...etc.
*También hay animales de diverso tipo:
-Águila-buitre-cabras montesas...etc.
El Hacho mide 559 metros y es una montaña muy bonita para los turistas que vienen de visita, y en la montaña hay una zona donde hay una cruz, donde se vé toda Álora.
En el Hacho, hace millones de años estaba cubierto por el mar, y hay fósiles como: ammonites, y en las piedras hay conchas...etc.

The Hacho in Àlora(Ingles):

*The Hacho in Alora is a natural place with different kind of trees:
-Oak-carob-olive-pine...etc.
*They are diferent animal:
-Eagle-vulture-cabra montesas...etc.
The height of Hacho is of 559 meters and is a mountain very beatifull para the tourist that to come the visit, and in the mountain see one zone where there is a crossing, where one can see all of Alora.
In the Hacho, do million years to be to cover because of sea, and there are fossils like: ammonites, and in the stone there are conchas...etc.
[CRISTIAN AND ÁLVARO]