The beautiful whitewashed village of Gaucin has always attracted a special crowd of people. To quote The Olive Press: It has a special ‘zing’ that other villages just haven’t got. Gaucin is one of Andalucia’s most scenic towns, unspoilt and known as the Balcony of the Serranía de Ronda, it provides you with the most spectacular views. Located at approximately 30 km. from the sea, on a clear morning you can make out the rock of Gibraltar and the Rif mountains in Marocco. Gaucin has always appealed to the artist. Still, quite a number of painters and sculptors live in and work from Gaucin. I personally especially like the work of Victoria Orr Ewing, landscape painter and Sebastian Fisher, sculptor. According to the Olive Press, Gaucin is also well known as a holiday resort for the likes of the Sainsbury family, Fatboy Slim and allegedly once, Princess Diana. If we believe the stories whispered around in Gaucin we could add the Rolling Stones and Keira Knightley amongst others.
Many Stories and Legends
Gaucin has many stories and legends, one of them the legend of the Holy Child, ‘El Santo Niño’. An itinerant book vendor named Juan Ciudad saw a barefoot child to whom he offered his shoes. Since they were too large for the child, Juan placed him on his shoulders. After a while, due to the exertion and the suffocating heat, the vendor stopped to drink at the fountain of La Adelfilla. At this moment the child was transfigured and, offering him a pomegranate (in Spanish, Granada) and a cross, said to his protector: “Juan de Dios, Granada shall be your cross. Bear witness to this apparition by bequeathing to Gaucín an image representing me as a child.” Having recovered from the sight, Juan set about complying with the order. With the passage of time, after founding a hospital in Granada, he fulfilled the project that he had dreamed of, which was to donate an image of the Niño Divino to Gaucín. This act occurred on 7 September 1540 when, evading the castle’s security guard, he placed the image in the place now occupied by the chapel. ( Source: Visit Costa del Sol)
Healing Finca La Santera
Less known is the story about finca La Santera, located on the outskirts of Gaucin, heading towards what is now called La Almunia and La Hoya. These mountain ranges are said to be ‘magical’ or to contain a ‘special energy’ if we are to believe the locals. What we do know is that Finca La Santera was owned by The Marquez family for many years. La Santera means the “saint-maker” and for generations, the female members of the Marquez family made icons for the church in Gaucin. The Finca was named after them. A just as interesting detail is that these ladies were to have special healing powers. The villagers would come to them to be treated for all sorts of ailments.
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Oscar Ernstsen | 21st February 2012
