Benaoján: Caves, History and the Guadiaro Valley

Nature and Trails

The trail to the Cueva del Gato begins next to the built-up area of Benaoján-Estación on the left bank of the Guadiaro and ends at the river pool just before the entrance to the cave.

The one-way route is 2.214 km long, takes one hour and has a low difficulty level. The distance refers to this direction and the route section described here. The trail is currently temporarily closed.

The Cueva del Gato is the outlet of the Guadares or Gaduares River after more than four kilometres of its course runs underground. It is home to one of the largest permanent colonies of cave-dwelling bats.

The underground course and the river outlet are therefore directly relevant to the topographical setting of the Cueva del Gato. The bat colony is permanently established in the cave and adds to its natural features.

Culture

The Cueva de la Pileta in the municipality of Benaoján is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the category of an archaeological zone.

The cave contains several chambers and galleries of varying sizes and elevations; Paleolithic rock paintings in yellow, red and black, depicting animals and ideomorphic motifs, have been found there.

The Cueva de la Pileta can be visited with expert guides by prior reservation. The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario has a round-arched entrance and a two-level bell tower with a square lower section and an octagonal upper section.

The bell tower is thus divided into two clearly distinguishable structural sections: the square section follows the round-arched entrance below, with the octagonal section above it. Both forms are part of the church’s preserved appearance.

History

The trail to the Cueva del Gato follows sections of a medieval road that was built on an ancient Roman road and connected Carteia near San Roque with Acinipo near Ronda via the Guadiaro Valley.

The Four Stops Mill preserves much of its original structure, including four blades or stops that powered four wheels.

The mill therefore retains both its original structure and the four blades or stops. These parts are connected with the operation of the four wheels.

The Torre del Moro was built by Muslims to control the important passage through the Guadiaro Valley. Today, only one of the Torre del Moro’s walls remains.

Only a single section of wall remains from the former structure; the historical function of the Torre del Moro concerned control of the passage through the valley.

Traditions

On Easter Sunday, the children of Benaoján carry the image through the town’s streets to the square.

The Niño del Huerto tradition includes buying and tasting the local rosco pastries on Easter Sunday, followed later by the auction of a particularly large Rosco del Niño del Huerto in aid of Cáritas.

The Easter traditions thus combine the procession through the streets with buying and tasting the rosco pastries. Later, a particularly large rosco is auctioned in aid of Cáritas.

More Destinations

Find more destination pages on Andalusia-Net under these names: Alhaurin El Grande, Salares, Fuente De Piedra, Cuevas Del Becerro, Archez, Yunquera, Los Puertas, Alcaucín.

Getting There

Benaoján has a railway station about two kilometres from the town, in a small settlement beside the river.

For the main travel overview: Málaga.