Álora - EL CHORRO

At just 40 kilometres from the pretty capital of Malaga, and on the road to the Costa del Sol Alora can be found. It is a small spot in the south where the visitor will discover the footprints of a large mix of cultures and a surprising natural legacy.

This is a village with its own personality which is reflected in the character of its people with thier endless traditions, customs and picturesque anecdotes.

Alora Castle is located in Cerro de Las Torres. From outside the castle you can enjoy extraordinary views of the Valle del Guadalhorce. The castle was declared a National Monument in 1931. It was built by the Arabs in the Middle Ages, although its origins are Phoenician and Roman. The construction took place in various stages.

From the Christian age you can find the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación X. dating from the 17th century. It is located on Plaza Baja de la Despedía, and together with the Arab Castle it is a symbol of the village. It is one of the largest churches of the Diocesis, after Malaga Cathedral.

Nuestra Señora de Flores Sanctuary is located in the outskirts, some 2 km from the urban centre of Alora going towards Carratraca. From here you can enjoy marvellous and unique scenery.

Easter in Alora has one of the great moments of Easter in Malaga Province which no visitor should miss: 'La Despedía', listed as a Andalucian National Festival of Tourist Interest. During the morning of Good Friday , Jesus of Nazareth and the Virgin of Sorrow and the Durante la mañana del Viernes Santo, Jesús Nazareno y la Virgen de los Dolores meet in the square of the same name and the bearers of each throne kneel as one many times. Vast numbers of the general public attend and make this a religious occasion of unique grandiosity.

The scenery in the district of Alora is characterized by two very distinctive environments, one being the 'Valle del Guadalhorce', dominated by the River Guadalhorce and the other being the mountain range of the 'Sistema Bético'

Map of Álora - EL CHORRO

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El Chorro, Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and the King’s Path.

This is an area of great beauty. It is found in El Chorro, 12 kilometres from the town centre. It is a canyon more than 100 metres above the River Guadalhorce which cut the Straits of 'Sierra de Huma' through it like a knife. The King’s Path ('Caminito del Rey') leans against the walls of this gorge. It is some 7 kilometres long, but currently closed to the public.

Encircling the gorge and totalling 2016 hectares in size is the Nature Reserve of 'Desfiladero de los Gaitanes', with extremely beautiful scenery and spectacular rock formations of differing origins and distinct geological eras. The Gorge divides this town in two, with sides whose drops can in some cases be more than 300 metres. The highest point is that of the Peak of Huma, at 1119 metres altitude. This area is a meeting point for those who enjoy rock climbing.

Amongst the vegetation are large ranges of Aleppo Pines, Spanish Junipers, Holm Oaks and olive trees, and also rosemary, thyme and rock-rose plants. Close to the sources of water many types of vegetation appear such as blackberries, climbing plants, willows, populus and eucalyptus plants. The fauna found here are of major value, with a multitude of protected species such as the Griffon Vulture, the Egyptian Vulture, the Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, the Falcon, the Common Kestrel and the Spanish Ibex.