There are many ‘de la Frontera’ surnames that we see in different towns in Andalusia, especially in the province of Cádiz. A very common nickname in well-known cities such as Jerez or Conil, but also in somewhat smaller and not as popular municipalities such as Vejer de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera or the treasure that we bring you today: Castellar de la Frontera.
In fact, it could be considered almost a miniature Carcassonne, as this small white town in Cádiz is a treasure that you cannot miss at any time of the year. Although Its peak is reached in spring and summerespecially on a tourist level, any time of the year is perfect to visit this secluded town, very close to the border with the province of Malaga.
Located halfway between the cities of Málaga and Cádiz, Castellar de la Frontera is located within the Campo de Gibraltar Regionexcept that we are not talking about a coastal town, but rather, in its own way, a mountain municipality with all the letters.
At the foot of the Los Alcornocales natural park, Castellar de la Frontera is also attached to the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain association and part of this wonderful blame lies with its castle, a medieval vestige that now serves as a hotel, but which continues to dominate the panoramic view of Castellar Viejo.
Why Castellar Viejo? Well, because in the 1960s a new, more modern annex was erected, where most of the population lives, just ten kilometers from the original Castellar de la Frontera, which remains perched on a hill and which served as a natural fortress during the Reconquest.
Hence the surname ‘de la Frontera’ that we often see in Cádiz, since most of these towns were in that border territory between the Christian kingdoms and the Muslim kingdoms. The castle of Castellar dates from that time, which really is just the castle of an even more impressive complex, since Castellar Viejo is a completely walled town.
However, the curiosity in this municipality is that It is made up of three population centers such as the Villa-Fortress of Castellar de la Frontera (what we conceive as Castellar Viejo), Pueblo Nuevo de Castellar and La Almoraima.
The curious thing about the town is that when the new part was founded, many chisporreros (people from Castellar) They decided to go down to the plain and make a different life, a moment that different hippie communities appreciated when settling in the old town.
Its streets of medieval charm continue to stand out, following the path marked by the walled layout, as well as the fortified elements that attest to the importance of Castellar in times past, such as the parade ground or the keep, both of the Christian period, or vestiges of the Church of the Divine Saviorwhich was the old oratory of the castle and now serves as a cultural dissemination center.
A tour loaded with history and viewpoints which can be consolidated with active tourism plans such as hiking, since Castellar de la Frontera is one of the gateways to the aforementioned natural park, one of the largest and most accessible in all of Spain.
Images | iStock
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