Grazalema

Monday was sunny so we took off in the car to Grazalema, one of our favorite towns from last year.  It is about a 40 minute drive from Olvera through some gorgeous countryside.  There is a large parking area beside the tourist office so that is a big plus.

Grazelema has a population of 2,200 people.  It is situated in a mountain cleft below the impressive peak named Peñon Grande. It is a base for visitors to The Sierra de Grazalema National Park. The park is a protected area of rugged limestone mountains which are famous for being the rainest place in Spain.  The peaks of over 4,500 feet around Grazalema are the first barriers that clouds from the Atlantic meet, causing plentiful rainfall.

Grazalema nestled into the mountain side

The village was established in Moorish times by Berber settlers.  They introduced sheep to the area and produced wool for ponchos and blankets to guard against the wet climate. The cottage industry of producing woolen blankets continued, reaching its peak in the 17th and 19th centuries when wealth from textile manufacturing helped to fund the construction of the village's churches. Vestiges of this industry persist to today.  

Easy to see why they are referred to as "white villages"
Lots of clouds and swirling fog today.

The village is charming, clean, and makes for a good walk and, afterwards, good eating.  There is a square that is full of tables with umbrellas, when it is sunny, accommodating 3 or 4 restaurants.  It was too chilly to eat outside so we found a charming place and enjoyed lunch which included a great soup, Sopa de Grazalema, perfect for a chilly day.

Restaurant square.  When it is warm and sunny it is filled with
 tables with umbrellas and lots of happy folks.  One of our favorite
places for lunch.

Many houses are decorated with beautiful flowers 

View from edge of parking lot

The terrain is quite rocky

Beer can (non alcohol) and sardine can hanging
on a fence.  No idea what that's all about!

There is a great leather shop in Grazalema.  Sadly it was closed.  The proprietor, Fernando Garcia, makes all the items and asserts that they are all one of a kind.  We bought some neat items here last year (see photo below) Check out his website  by clicking here.

Leather bag we bought last year at Fernando's shop in Grazalema

Fernando Garcia's leather shop in Grazalema.  Photo taken last year.

Bonnie with Fernando Garcia when we visited his shop last year.
Fernando is a retired airplane mechanic married to an American.