11 Apr 15 Pueblos Blanco - The White Washed Region

Now you may think 'what does that mean?', but I'm betting you have seen a few of these 'Pueblos Blancos'; whether you were looking at a Spanish home, beach property or one of the many Costa del Sol villas. Pueblos Blancos means 'white villages/towns'. These are rosetta stone software
all villages that are characterised by whitewashed wall and red or brown tiled roofs.Every year after the spring rain has settled and passed, the houses are meticulously whitewashed to a unblemished look, the white is a complementary to the vivid colourful flowers that fill the streets and earthy tones of the rocky mountain perches. The Whitewashing which is annual is almost considered a pagan act, which brings in the season of growth and fertility and is practically saying goodbye to winter and welcome spring.The settling of this area has been around since prehistoric times, some of which are local caves that have ancient rock paintings. Many cultures have left their mark on the region, it is said that the most influential of all cultures has been the Moors. The narrow, winding streets have a distinct, Arabic feel to them even though each village has at least one Roman Catholic church.A lot of Villages the were founded by Berber tribes who settled in the area during the eight centuries of Moorish presence. They came as hill farmers and settled in Andalucia a where they made it feel similar to that which they had left behind in North Africa. These sites were chosen because they had the advantage of height, so if they were under the threat of attack they would be easy to defend. Not only that but these villages would boast some spectacular views.It is said that the village Gaucn can be used as a base for Rosetta Stone German
visits to the Pueblos Blancos. Gaucn is a mountain village in the heart of Andalucia and on the edge of Costa del Sol. On the edges of the mountain with commanding views of Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa. It is perched 626 metres above sea level. The Arab influence in this part of Spain was strong and the name comes from the Arabic term Guazan which means strong rock. Which is a reference to the crest of the Sierra del Hachoon which the village is perched on. With its position being strategic, it was a major Roman settlement and its magnificent castle, Casdtillo del Aguila or Eagle's Castle, came from this era although they were later expanded by the Arabs into a fortress. The name of the castle isn't ironic as it was usual to see eagles circling the towers and kestrels nest each year in the walls of the medieval Rosetta Stone English
convent.As with the rest of the white villages the centre of Gaucin is a tangle of narrow, twisting streets. It once a haven for Tobacco and brandy smugglers who travelled around the hill by using several local footpaths.