Gaucin
Gaucin is a lovely whitewashed mountain village, a short drive from the equally delightful village of Casares. The village has views to Gibraltar and North Afirica.
The village has a population of 2000 and is 626 metres above sea level. Gauchin's name is derived from 'guazan' meaning strong rock in Arabic. Due to its position the vilage was a Roman settlement and the roman signautre was perhaps the castle called Castillo del Aguila which means Eagles Castle. The castle was later devleoped into a fortress by the Arabs.
Look out for eagles circling overhead while kestrels regualry nest in the walls.of the medieval convent.
Gauncin was once a haven for smugglers of brandy and tobacco who travelled the district. Gaucin has a checkered history and in the first year of the Spanish Civil War, (1936-1939), nationalists captured the village and killed more than fifty people.
Today Gaucin is a quiet village, and is famous locally for the 'bull run' which takes place over Easter weekend where bulls are run through the streeets, (they are not harmed) and the local males and the odd intrepid tourist, take their chance by standing in front of the bulls.
When you walk through the streets you will see the handholds on the walls used to help get people out of the way of the bulls.
If you want to stay near to Casares follow this link. If you wish to look further afield look at CostaDel Sol.
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