Montejaque: Karst, Nature and History

When it was built, Presa de los Caballeros was a pioneering European civil engineering project of the “arch dam” type and reached a height of 83.75 metres.

Nature

The Presa de los Caballeros complex lies within the natural park and the Sierra de Grazalema ZEC. As a protected area, the complex forms part of the Red de Espacios Naturales Protegidos de Andalucía (RENPA); it is a Site of Community Importance (SCI), a Special Protection Area for birds (SPA) and a biosphere reserve since 1977.

Cueva del Hundidero lies at the bottom of a gorge and is more than 50 metres high.

In the area around Montejaque, the Gaduares River passes through Cueva del Hundidero and re-emerges at Cueva del Gato, more than 4 kilometres from the entrance.

Hiking

In the area around Montejaque, the Los Llanos de Líbar trail runs between Montejaque and Cortes de la Frontera through enclosed plains between limestone mountains.

The Los Llanos de Líbar trail features karst formations such as poljes, shafts, limestone pavements and sinkholes, as well as structures associated with highland grazing, including Retinta cattle farming.

In Montejaque, the trail can be started via the track by Bar La Cabaña or via a narrow lane from the central square.

Activities

The Presa de los Caballeros via ferrata, also known as the Hundidero via ferrata, is located near Cueva del Hundidero in Montejaque, Málaga, and opened on 22 June 2024.

Its features include a 60-metre zip line and a 70-metre Tibetan bridge; both run parallel to the dam wall.

Culture

The Centro de Interpretación de la Espeleología explains Montejaque’s karst geology, caves, speleothems and caving techniques through information panels, display cases and audiovisual media.

The Centro de Interpretación de la Espeleología also serves as an information centre for the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.

The Iglesia de Santiago El Mayor was built in the late Gothic style in the 16th century and rebuilt in 1773.

It preserves a mural decoration from the 18th century; its bell tower consists of two square levels and one octagonal level, topped by an octagonal spire.

The Lavadero Fuente Vieja is a recently restored washhouse; in the past, the women of Montejaque washed their laundry there.

The Ermita de la Escarihuela was built in the first half of the 17th century at the beginning of the historic ascent on the old road to Ronda.

Festivals

Montejaque’s patron saint festivals include Carnival, the Feria and pilgrimage in May, the Verbena de Santiago, and the Feria in August.

Find more destination pages here: Mijas, Riogordo, Caleta De Vélez, Parauta, Ardales, Archez, Villanueva De La Concepción, and Benamocarra.

Cuisine

Montejaque’s traditional cuisine is based on Iberian pork products and locally sourced ingredients.

Traditional dishes and drinks include Olla, Guiso de Tagarninas, lomo and chorizo preserved in lard, Torta de Chicharrones, homemade jams and Mistela.

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