Ojen - Places of Interest

Tourism Office.
Tlf. 952 881 003
Fax. 952 881 216
ojen@vnet.es

PAST AND PRESENT



Ojen is a perfect example of a typical andalusian village, here the crobbled streets are narrow and its houses are white. Ojen is located in an exceptional place between Sierra Alpujarra and Sierra Blanca.



Ojen dates back to the Andalusi-Arabic period, when it was known as Oxen or Hoxan, meaning ?rugged place?.



Records tell us that in front of the village walls -now gone- Abderraman III?s troops fought with the muladíes (Christian converts to Islam) led by Omar Ben Hafsun in rebellion against the dominance of the Emirate of Cordoba.



Following the village?s capture by the Catholic Monarchs, one hundred moriscos (Moslem converts to Christianity) and four Christians remained, all of whom were devoted to agricultural tasks. In 1600, it was repopulated by settlers from La Roda de Andalucia.



In 1807, it was declared an independent village by Charles IV.



PLACES OF INTEREST



-Private Malaga Wine Museum

-Our Lady?s Church, 16th century. Features a square Mudejar tower similar in structure to a minaret.

- Caves of Ojén.

- Remains of the castle on a village slope.

- Los Chorros fountain. 1905

- Juanar Palace (Palacio de Juanar), 1906. Located in a scenic spot in the Sierra Blanca, it was built as a hunting lodge. Today it is a hotel and restaurant.



WHAT TO DO



Of more interest to the visitor is the old part of town which spreads down the mountainside on the other side of the road. Here the cobbled streets are narrow and well served by welcome drinking fountains. But Ojén used to be famous for something a little stronger than water. The production of the anise liqueur, aguardiente once played a major part in the town's economy.



10 kilometres from Ojén is REFUGIO DEL JUANAR, an establishment which, during the hunting season, cooks exquisite dishes based on pheasant, venison, quail and mountain goat.



Another offer of this village is MONTE AVENTURA, a visit around the Sierra de las Nieves by jeep.



Also they offer a wine tasting in the Wine Museum.



A curiosity about Ojen, in its area the famous Spanish singer JULIO IGLESIAS has a house and sometimes he visits the village with his family.



FESTIVITIES



Open-air festival (romería), 1st May.

Fair (Feria) and patron saint festivities in honour of St. Dionysius (San Dionisio Aeropajita), from 8 to 12 October.

Flamenco Festival, first Saturday in August (declared to be of touristic interest by the Andalusian Regional Government).



TYPICAL DISHES



Sopa hervida (a soup made from garlic, asparagus, bread, oil and salt). Arroz con hinojos (rice with fennels). Berza (cabbage broth). Bolo de hinojos (a fennel dish). Pipeo de habas (a broad bean-based dish). Potaje de Castañas (chestnut stew). Gachas (a type of flour and milk custard with sugar and cinnamon).