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Gaucin

Sian Faber

Sian Faber is an artist based in the white village of Gaucin, a pueblo blanco (white village) whose inspiring beauty has attracted many artists from far afield over the years. In the 2024 edition of the Art Gaucin art exhibition, her current collaborative collection of work, Drawn to Flamenco, stood out with its bold colours, unique materials and its captivating subject, the flamenco dancer, Eliza Gonzalez.

Getting there

To visit Gaucin from the Costa del Sol, turn inland at Sabinillas (A7 km145), go up the A377 and drive past Manilva and the AP7 motorway toll exit and the turning for Casares. The road skirts Sierra Crestelina and then drops steeply down to cross the River Genal before the long windy climb up to the village.

Bull Run

The Gaucin bull run, better known locally as the Toro de Cuerda, takes place every year on Easter Sunday. With the first bull released at around 10:30am, an early arrival is strongly encouraged to find your bearings, and more importantly, some good spots to see the run from. Parking can be found on the outskirts of the town and be careful with taking your car into the town as the streets can get very narrow.

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle’s Castle) in Gaucin

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin, and was reinforced by the Moors, is located on top of a hill whose east and south slopes are practically impregnable; the best way to reach this magnificent, historic building is by walking up Calle Larga.  

Festivals in Gaucín

Festivals in Gaucín: Carnival, Semana Santa, Toro de Cuerda, la Noche de San Juan, Feria and Romeria.

History

The town's magnificent castle, now called Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle), dates from Roman times, although earlier Iberian ceramics have been found in its water tank. The castle was expanded by the Visigoths and then further extended by the Arabs into a fortress, after the Moors invaded in 714.

Stroll Around the village

Gaucin is delightful village, to just stroll around in the sunshine and here we have highlighted the curiosities of the village. Walk into the village on Calle Luis de Armiñan, past the Convento de los Carmelitas, built in the 18th century and abandoned in 1835. Now owned by the town hall, this is used as a civic building and sometimes holds art exhibitions by the many artists living and working in the town.

Maps of Gaucin

If you are considering visiting Gaucin you may find our maps a useful tool, we provide three maps, one of the region of Andalucia with Gaucin highlighted.