Gaucín () is a town and municipality located in the mountains of
Andalusia in the
province of Málaga
The province of Málaga ( es, Provincia de Málaga ) is located in Andalusia, Spain. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and by the provinces of Cádiz to the west, Seville to the northwest, Córdoba to the north, and Granada to ...
in southern
Spain. It is inland from
Marbella,
Puerto Banús and
Estepona and not far from
Ronda.
The village has a population of approximately 2,000. It lies about 600 metres above sea level in the Sierra del Hacho, dominated by the Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle), originally a
Roman stronghold, expanded by the
Arabs.
Tourist appeal
Gaucín is known for its views of
Gibraltar
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, song = " Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
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, image_map2 = Gib ...
, the
Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar ( ar, مضيق جبل طارق, Maḍīq Jabal Ṭāriq; es, Estrecho de Gibraltar, Archaic: Pillars of Hercules), also known as the Straits of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Medi ...
and
Morocco, as well the surrounding mountain scenery. It can be used as a base for visits to the so-called ''
pueblos blancos'' of Andalusia. The village is reached by a 24 km climb up a mountain road and presided over by a
medieval castle. The population is augmented by a growing international community.

Gaucín has been the inspiration of a number of artists and writers, and has been referred to as the "balcony of the
Ronda Mountains, where the
Holy Child appeared to St.
John of God: the illustrious, always noble, very hospitable village of Gaucín." Gaucín offers visitors to the region a panoramic view to the Mediterranean including the rock of Gibraltar.

In Gaucín fossils can be found in the stoneworks of city building and street constructions.
Cultural life
Palm Sunday includes a procession to the church. A widely-attended
Easter vigil takes place the night before.
Easter Sunday celebrations include the traditional 'toro de cuerda', where a bull is released on a cord in the morning and sold in the afternoon.
[
]
A large
carnival
Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...
features ''chirigotas'', costumed groups that sing of current events in a humorous way. A party held on the main square with an orchestra goes on until dawn.
The
feria, which lasts three days, is a celebration of the town itself and is held annually in early August. It is complete with a variety of carnival rides and games booths. The festivities also include a large
pavilion where visitors can eat, drink, and watch musicians perform and a procession of horse riders competing for an award for the best presented.

The
pilgrimage of the Holy Child is a ''
romeria'' on the last Sunday of August. The image of the Holy Child is taken in procession from the castle to the site of his supposed apparition, now a hermitage, for a ''rociera'' (
flamenco) mass followed by dancing, singing, eating and drinking until dawn.
A feast in honour of the Holy Child takes place on 7 and 8 September. Over nine days townsfolk climb to the castle for a
novena, held in the Chapel of the Holy Child.
Mass is celebrated and guest preachers preach. A party is given in the main square with processions, food, drink, music, and dancing.
External links
Municipal websitein Spanish, with many pictures
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaucin
Towns in Spain
Municipalities in the Province of Málaga