Sierra de Ubrique

Natural Landscape

Ubrique, worldwide known due to its quality and good leather work, is one of the most attractive towns in Sierra de Cádiz because of its geographic location. Heart of two Natural Parks, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema, and with only 337 metres above sea level, it is one of the few towns of the region urbanized just at the bottom of the mountain.
Inpressive formations of limestones, wich bear the same name, Sierra de Ubrique, embrace within its limits a popular architecture where its narrow streets cross the town transforming the lanes into characteristic elements of the district.
It is a village which still preserves its traditions in addition to its mountainous appearance and medieval arrangement.

HISTORY

We belong to province of Cádiz that has always been an important crossroads in the sense that, on the one hand it has acted as bridge between Europa and Africa, and on the other hand as the gateway from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This strategical position has always influenced its history and is the most likely reason for its early settlement.
Important prehistoric remains have been found all over the surroundings of Sierra de Ubrique. Neither must we forget the advance development of the Tartar and the Phoenicians culture in these areas.
These numerous and varied prehistoric remains give us a clear indication of the interest and the attraction the area held for these primitive peoples and which soon led the early settlers of the Mediterranean to colonize the area.
In Salto de la Mora, next to the source of the Ubrique river, lie the ruins on the ancient town of Ocuris, a Roman strategic settlement. It is a clear remains of the romanized process. Ocuris belongs to the Roman road that joined the Roman towns of Ocuris (Ubrique) and Acinipo (Ronda). This road dating from the 2nd century, built of rough blocks of stone complete with kerbing an rain water channels.
The town was abandoned after the Barbarian invasions. The area became sparsely populated, which eventually led to the formation of new population settlements.
The Muslim conquest in the Middle Ages gave rise to a greater occupation and exploitation of space, and the development of agricultural and livestock raising activities. The ruins of the Cardela fartress, later known as the Fátima Castle, are left as vestiges of Muslim rule.
The are enjoyed relative peace until mid-13th century, when, as a result of the Christian military offensive upon the Guadalquivir valley, the southern border of the Christian- Muslim front move to the Sraits of Gibraltar and the Sierra of Cádiz.
Following another period of peace, due to internal problems in the Peninslar kingdoms, military activity resumed in the 15th century. The Ponce de León family took the initiative in the Sierra and finally conquered the Cardela fartress , which was essential for control of the area in 1485. After the end of the war, the socalled Serranía de Villaluenga was granted to the Ponce de León family as a feudal state, in gratitude for their role in the conquest. Under their dominion, the territory was re-distributed and repopulated. With the establishment of peace, fortified enclaves began to lose important in favour of other population settlements , such as the settlement already known as Ubrique.
The original town was consolidated thanks to settlers from other villages, although its growth was greatest during the 18th century , as increased development pushed the population to slowly settle by the river.
This trend was interrumped in the early 19th century. First, the resident suffered a cholera epidemic. During the War Independence, French troops attacked and plundered the town , forcing the residents to leave in several occasions.
After the terrible experience, Ubrique gradually returned to normal As was the case with the rest of the Sierra, those residents involved in agriculture underwent difficult living conditions, which led to numerous social protests. During this same period, the leather industry was established. It later became the main source of wealth of the town, such that henceforth the name of Ubrique came to associated with quality and know how in leather products.
If we leave aside the settlement of the Roman town of Ocuris, the origins of the urban area of Ubrique lie the Christian reconquest and the subsequent reconstruction, already in the Modern Ages, of what is known as Ubrique el Alto, a traditional hamlet with a winding layout.
The town's expansion towards the lower areas, made up of orchards and springs, took place in the 19th century during the transition to the Contemporary Ages, giving rise to modern Ubrique.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

CASCO ANTIGUO (Old Town)
Declared a Monument of Historic - Artistic interest in 2002. It is situated on the slopes of the Sierra de Ubrique. The Muslim domination of the area is easily recalled in the narrow winding streets with sharps rises, showing off fantastic corners each step of the way. It is a pleasure for the senses to walk among windows and balconies filled with flowers and contrasting with the bright walls.
In this old part of Ubrique we can find the parish church Nuestra Señora de la O, some hermitages: San Antonio, El Calvario, San Juan de Letrán, San Pedro, El Jesús and Convento de Capuchinos.
Sculptures: Virgen de la O, Jerónimo Hernández (XVI C); Crucificado by Castillo Lastrucci (XVII C); San José, XVII C; Virgen de los Dolores, XII C,…

OCURI

The Ocuri site is part of the Archeological Route of the Pueblos Blancos. It has been estimated that only 15 to 20 percent of the city have been excavated to date. The visit lasts between one hour and half and have three charms: that of trekking, the cultural aspect and the landscape.
During Roman times its populations was around 600 people. The Muslims arrived much later and vestiges have been found which date the town back to the Celts. It is strategically situated at the top of a hill from where you can see the castles of the region around the Nazarí district of Benaocaz , the old quarter of Ubrique and the Calvario district.
A farmer, Juan Vegazo, discovered Ubrique in the XVIII century. An Archaeology Workshop did work here at the end of the 90's and laid in 780 metres of stone pavement which made it easier to visit the site. Through the precinct, which covers an area of 35.000 metres, runs the road that once joined Cordoba and the Roman ruins of Carteia ( near of San Roque).
One of the most important buildings is the Columbario Mausoleum, practically unique in Andalucia, where the dead were cremated. The wall dates the Necropolis and the Acropolis. One can see the different in which various civilization worked stone.
Four cisterns have been found strategically situated within the precinct. This was a method of storing water and preventing it from filtering away.
In the centre of the city lies the forum , the intersection of its main streets. Some tavern (shops) walls have been dug up as well as the bases of columns and two inscriptions which are in the Museo of Cádiz. Pieces of frescoes as well as coins have been found in the most important residential area.
Juan Vegazo Cultivated land on top of a group of dwelling which led to the impressive baths. These were divided into three areas, cold, warm and hot waters which were heated underneath with logs.

GASTRONOMY

Ubrique's cousine has been influenced by the different cultures that have passed trough the Sierra de Cádiz mountain range since time immemorial. Based on a rich and varied natural pantry, our recipes offer game, farmyard animals, pork product, countryside and market garden in the strictest sense of these terms. Example : migas cocidas ( breadscrumbs cooked with tomato and garlic), wild asparagus, golden thistles, gruel, blood and onions, gañotes,…
Ubrique's restaurants and bars provide an exceptional and varied range of traditional simple home cooking.
In our festivities, the gastronomy plays an important role, for example "La Chorizá "in the Carnaval.

LEATHER OF UBRIQUE

We know that primitive man was a tanner and that this mountains contained the best ingredients for working leather: quick lime, salt and water. They knew how to make this adventage useful so that Ubrique soon became an important example of quality in leather. Nowdays, tanner has disappeared.
In the XVII and XVIII centuries people started to make "petacas" to keep tobacco and "precisos", a small bag that contained tinder and steel for making fire with flint.
The marroquineria was maintained in Ubrique without a big evolution until the middle of XIX century. Great improvements appeared, specially in colour and quality. The old marroquineria was renovated and now designs appeared after an interesting process which is still used.
Leather work of Ubrique, authentic handicraft, has acquired an international reputation for producing goods of the latest fashion and trends through for traditional craft work.
Closely linked to this sector is the craft of tack and saddle making. Our village with its large tradition in leathergoods is a referent in this sector. The best articles worldwide are manufactured in Ubrique, so it made a icon of identity of it.

FESTIVITIES

The most important festivities are:

• CARNAVAL
  Shortly after the end of the Crhistmas, in Februar. There are groups that compose songs which parody or satirize anybody o anything under with impunity under the licence that during carnival " anything goes". These groups are called depend on the number of participants : comparsas, coros, chirigotas, cuartetos and romanceros. In this festivitie "la mejilloná, tortilla y chorizá".
• EASTER WEEK
  It is celebrated with great following and devotion. The common feature of this celebration is the carrying of diferents religious images through the narrow streets in processions. The images are carried on the shoulders , as opposed to on the back , which lends a swaying, lifelike movements to the images.
• THE 3rd OF MAY, DÍA DE LOS GAMONES.
• THE DAY OF THE PETAQUERO
  Leather handicraftman, in May.
• PILGRIMAGE SAN ISIDRO
  A religious celebrations. It is a short pilgrimage to, or a gathering at a shrine or gotto, usually associated with the patron saint of Ubrqique. In May.
• FAIR
  In September.
• CELEBRITY OF NUESTRA SRA. DE LOS REMEDIOS
  In September.

MORE ABOUT UBRIQUE

TOURISTIC FACILITIES:
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