MONTECORTO
by Saskia Mier
Montecorto village as a municipal district was formed as recently as October 2014. It had been part of the municipal district of Ronda. Montecorto has about 600 inhabitants.
HISTORY
The origins of Montecorto go back to the Neolithic age, when it was associated with small agricultural communities that settled here due to the fertile land, abundance of water, and other important resources such as flint-stone which was used as tools.
There is certainly written documentary evidence of the village of Montecorto at the end of the fifteenth century and the beginning of the sixteenth century. The territory which was conquered by the Christians was organized into a series of rural Mudejar municipalities, directly dependent on the Crown, including Ronda, El Burgo, Setenil and Montecorto, all ascribing to the Archbishopric of Seville.
In 1505, Montecorto became a dependency of Ronda and in 2002, gained a certain independence when it was constituted as an Autonomous Local Entity. After 12 more years and after a long struggle by its inhabitants the village acquired independence with its own Town Hall on October 17, 2014 and became the 102nd municipality of the province of Malaga.
Things to see and do
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The first chapel was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century in Plaza Ermita. After several reforms it was demolished in the 1950s. During 1958 and 1959 a new church was built on Avenida García Lorca. It only lasted until 1963, due to the landslides caused by the heavy rains. The Bishopric built a new church that was demolished because of the significant damage caused by terrain. This current church was inaugurated on July 16, 2002. Located on Avenida de la Constitución.
Acequia Benito
The irrigation channel runs through the town from the high end down to the lower part. This channel has been for many years the source of water by which the local gardeners watered their orchards.
Fuente del Dolmen
The present fountain was built in 2006, and motifs represent the history of the town, including the Neolithic era and the abundance of water. Located in Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
Pilar Fuente de Arriba
This fountain consists of two jets of water that fall onto a pillar carved in stone from which the water passes to two others located at different heights. Next to them a small pillar with a drinking water tap has also been provided.
THINGS TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE
Ruinas de Acinipo
The ruins of the town include a preserved Roman theatre in very good condition. The basic structure is carved into the rock. Acinipo used to have a walled enclosure, a temple and other public buildings. It is located 15 Km from Montecorto in an area known as Rondsa La Vieja (Old Ronda) Just of county road MA-7402 joins the A-374 north of Ronda. More>
Dolmen el Chopo
A large transitional dolmen, with a long corridor and an upper chamber. The blocks of the upper chamber are of very considerable size and their original appearance must have been reminiscent of the Menga dolmen, although their dimensions are smaller. The tombs were located on the slopes of the valley, in places where they would be immediately visible to any visitor.
Mirador de la Frontera Nazarí
This viewpoint is one of the 25 viewpoints that are distributed through the Serranía de Ronda. From it you can see various landscapes of interest. Located approximately 3 Km from Montecorto, off the A-2300 KM 20.
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Montecorto - Ruinas de Acinipo
The 8.9 Km walking route travels though cultivated fields which surround the village of Montecorto, farm house of “La Panera” and “Bujambra”. Walkers will need to cross the Montecorto stream, taking care as not to get wet, as the flow varies from high to low, according to the season. The route ends at the gates of the Ruins of Acinipo.
Ruta El Pinar
The route will take you through the beautiful pine forest surrounding Montecorto, passing by the ruin of the Cortijo Mahon, and various viewpoints where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery with views of the Moral Castle, the marsh of Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema and all peaks of the mountains of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
GASTRONOMY
When visiting Montecorto, try local dishes such as sopa de esparragos (asparagus soup), la olla (chickpea stew) and a variety of other dishes made with locally grown vegetables and homemade cured sausages. Sweet treats include arroz con leche (rice pudding), natillas (custard), borrachuelos (pastries dipped in alcohol), buñuelos (doughnuts) and tostaillo de almendras (almond cakes).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Montecorto are Romería de Montercorto, Feria y Fiestas Virgen del Carmen, San Juan and Semana Santa. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Montecorto is located in the town hall. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Montecorto are Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema.
