The beautiful white pueblo (village) of Alozaina, within the Unesco declared World Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra de las Nieves, nestles between mountains and pines with distant views to the Mediterranean some 58k away. It is a traditional village of around 2,300 people whose inhabitants are called ‘pecheros’. There are many interpretations of this name; perhaps meaning collectors of taxes, since the old fortified village occupied an enviable position on a hilltop giving access to passing strangers.
The local heroine is Maria Sagredo who defended Alozaina from an attempted assault during the Moorish rebellion in 1570 by throwing beehives upon the invaders. This event is depicted on the Alozaina coat of arms. But the history stretches much further back to evidence in caves of the Upper Palaeolithic period, ancient burials, Roman remains, a Mozarabe rock church of the ninth century and trading by Phoenicians from the coast inland to Ronda. Today this thriving village is proud of its past and stages an annual re-enactment of the Maria Sagredo story. The church of Santa Ana was originally a mosque but was remodelled in 1622 and a full restoration undertaken very recently included two new stained glass windows by British master craftsman and artist Rod Friend.
It is well worth the uphill walk from the Plaza de la Constitution through the arabic arch to the church as there is a stunning viewpoint with vistas of sun-kissed splendour all the way to the mountains of Mijas and the coast at Malaga. The church will be open during the Ruta so that visitors may view the new windows in this peaceful setting, as well as a large display of artwork in the adjoining church rooms. Whenever you choose to visit Alozaina you are sure to find something of interest or enjoy the festivals and local ‘tapas’ in one of the many bars. The Ruta and open studios are a major rural tourism occasion within the biosphere reserve Sierra de las Nieves.
The Ruta starts in the Aula de Cultura close to the arch.
Artist's Views of Alozaina
Escudo de Alozaina - Pepi Hevilla Garcia
Santa Ana en la iglesia de Alozaina. Vidriera - R. Friend.
Santiago en la iglesia de Alozaina' Vidriera - R. Friend.