Atajate

Atajate is a municipality in the province of Malaga , Andalucia (Spain). It is located east of the province in the Genal Valley, and is one of the 'pueblos' that make up the region of the Serrania de Ronda. It is the least populated town in the province of Malaga.

History

Remains of pieces of polished stone (stones beam), axes (Neolithic), presence of bronze (Chalcolithic) in the Sima de los Tajos. A stretch of Roman road Lacipo-Arunda and coins. Visigoth remains: burial in the Montecillo. Muslim remains at the Puerto de Jimera, El Llano and Huerta Nueva. Remnants of depopulated village of Audalázar, now in the boundaries of Alpandeire. In 1496 Atajate came under the Lordship of Ronda (Prince John). In 1499 it came under the crown of Castille and Aragon. 1505 saw the creation of the parish in Atajate. In the XIX century the Church of San Jose was constructed. Prior to March 10, 1810 the old church was sacked by the French. It was never restored. In 1820 the creation of the judicial districts, meant that Atajate came under the muncipality of Gaucin. In 1932 the stretch of road from Ronda-Atajate C-341, the current A-369, was constructed. The stretch of road from Atajate-Gaucin was constructed in 1941.

Sights and Attractions

• Former San Roque Parish Church
• St. Joseph's Church
• Arab Tower

Festivals

• Fiesta del Mosto. (Feast of the Must Wine) Last Saturday of November.
• Motorcycle Rally. Week before the Fiesta del Mosto.
• Pilgrimage Atajate - Alpandeire in honour of the shared village patron, San Roque de Montpellier. on the last Saturday of the Summer.
• Guerra del Agua (Water Fight) is well known and famous in the area. It is celebrated is on the Saturday of the celebration of the Fiesta de San Roque.
• Fiesta de San Roque, 15, 16 and 17 August.
• Corpus Christi procession. (May, June).
• Fiesta del Huerto, Easter Sunday.
• Carnival is before Lent, depending on when Holy Week falls.