Ubrique is a picturesque Pueblo Blanco (white town) in the hills of the Serrania de Ronda Mountains. Not only is it beautiful and tranquil, but it is also a town with a long, interesting history which stretches over many epochs and empires. Ubrique still remains true to its historical past.
History
Human settlement in the Ubrique area has been traced back to the Palaeolithic times but it is widely believed that earlier groups may have previously been living in the area. There is also evidence of Ibero or pre-Roman settlement. There also appears to have been small Phoenician commercial settlements of Gadir in region.
The region also had a part to play in the Roman period with the construction of Oppidum. A natural watchtower was established to help police the region which was then known as Roman Bética.
Not much is known today about settlement during the Visigoth period but it appears evident that it was continuously settled during this period due to its strategic importance. Proof of this importance comes from the numerous watchtowers that the Arabs would later occupy.
The Ubrique area was later colonized by the Arab Berbers who brought previously unknown prosperity to the area. It was during this time that the valley was planted with orchards that remained relatively unchanged until the 1970s.
Troops from Castile arrived in the 13th century to attempt to reclaim the area for Christianity. However, it would not be until 1485 that the Castilians under the control of Ponce of Leon would occupy the area, exterminating and/or expelling the Muslim population over time.
After the expulsion of the Arab population, the region became colonized by people from Castile. Later it would become part of the dominion of the Dukes of Arcos de Medina.
Agriculturally, the area suffered greatly while the new colonists attempted to adapt their agricultural knowledge to their new and different mountainous home. It was not easy but with time, they did adapt.
The great earthquake of 1755 left its mark on Ubrique, as it did in most of Portugal and Andalucia. Most of the local churches and monuments needed to be reconstructed after the natural disaster.
During the 19th century the population remained at between the 5,000 and 6,000 inhabitants. This changed, however, with the arrival of emmigrants from the Southern Italy. With them came the leather trade, which would remain the central occupation of the town until our modern days.
Ubriqueños (residents of Ubrique) fought valiantly against the French occupation lead by Napoleon in the early 19th century and many of their names are still remembered by local historians. However, much of the area’s finest architecture was burned along with archives dating back to the 15th century.
During the 20th century, the leather trade continued to increase in importance, becoming the raison d’être of the community. Today, much of its national fame comes from its most famous persona, the flamboyant and recently-retired bullfighter, Jesulín de Ubrique. Jesulín still maintains a home and farm in the area. He remains the town’s favourite son.
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