Seniors Seek Adventure in Genalguacil

It’s a bet that should win when I challenge senior travelers as to whether or not you have ever heard of Genalguacil. It is a town of 500 in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 150 km north of the city of Málaga on the Mediterranean coast.

Set in the middle of the Genal Valley, a stone’s throw from the sea and one of the highest mountains in the Ronda mountains, the woods of Genalguacil are of enormous value and beauty. These woods are populated by chestnuts, corks and pines, including the Blue Spanish Fir, a botanic relic that is found nowhere else in the world.

Almost 90% of this territory is covered by woods. Besides the forests, there is an abundance of water in this region that makes possible a large number of orchards.

 Senior Visitors Find Cobblestone Streets, White Houses and Cork

The town’s name comes from the Arabic “GEN-AL-WACIR”.  It is known that there were mines of gold, silver and copper, and even some remains are in a place called Los Morteretes. Genalguacil is a town with steep, narrow winding cobble stone streets and white houses everywhere (testimony to its Morrish origin), each adorned with pots of colorful flowers. The only monument in town is the Church of San Pedro de Verona dating back to the 17th century.

The town of Genalguacil Malageño shares with other “white villages” of the province of Andalusia an enviable setting. Senior visitors will find it nestled in the mountains and surrounded by sites of high ecological value, and charm and picturesque character given by its whitewashed houses.

Genalguacil is not just another village. Its little squares and balconies overflow with flowers and its inhabitants lead peaceful, silent lives that are historically and economically dependent on the extraction of cork for your wine bottles.

 Senior Visitors Have An ‘Art Encounter’

Genalguacil is an “open air museum” and as you walk along cobblestone streets, senior visitors will find paintings, sculptures and other works of art integrated throughout the village.

Art Encounters in Genalguacil takes place the first two weeks of August, every two years, Yes, that video is in Spanish, but I found it to be a good one…so maybe time to work on your Spanish with my Spanish Websites. Gracias.

For the past 20 years, the town has supported artists from all over the world to create their ‘works’ for the festival and in return the pieces become part of the village life.

Seniors, come to Málaga and see if you can find Genalguacil up there hidden in the hills and enjoy your adventure. jeb