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 Montecorto, which means low mountain, is situated 20km west from Ronda and is the most westerly village in the Malaga Province. Montecorto falls on the northern boundary of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
The history of Montecorto dates back to Neolithic periods when small agricultural communities settled there due to the fertility of the soil and the abundance of water and flint. Remains of many tools, axes and knives have been found in and around Montecorto from the Roman and Arabic periods.
Due to the quantity of Flint in Montecorto and the surrounding area, a workshop was created for the fabrication of various tools. The workers of Montecorto became very skilled at making tools and stone carvings. Montecorto was established as an exchange centre for sculptors.
 There are Megalithic tombs, which are stone chambers, usually consisting of three or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal stone (table) that are in the area close to Montecorto and El Gastor. These date back to the Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BC). Also known as “Dolmens”, these were usually covered in smaller stones and earth to create a chamber, examples to be found are The Necropolis of Moral, The Dolmen of Chopo (at the cross of Grazalema) and the Dolmens of the Angostura (in El Gastor). Nowadays the earth and smaller stones are washed away, leaving just the stone skeleton.
Towards the mid thirteenth century Montecorto formed part of the western border of the Nasrid Kingdom or Granada. The defensive system of the Nazari border consisted of an extensive network of towers and watchtowers that were visually linked along the entire border of the last Muslim Kingdom in the Peninsula. Many remnants of this defensive system can be found in Montecorto, such as the Castillo del Moral and the Rock of Audit.
During the reconquest of Andalucia, by the Christians, historical records about Montecorto are vague, although there are specific references to the years 1407, 1477, 1481 and 1485.
In the chronicle of “John II of Castille” it mentions a Castle at Montecorto, written by Alvar Garcia the official chronicler of John II King of Castille, he wrote that in 1407 Prince Fernando “El Infante” left Zahara, took a rest stop at the Castle of Montecorto before heading off to capture the nearby village of Setenil. However after a long siege, he surrenders his plans to capture Setenil.
In 1477 a chapel was constructed in Montecorto by Don Rodrigo of León. The chapel, it is said, was situated in the centre of the village, next to what is now Bar Diego. Inside the chapel, which was decorated with many arches, were pictures of San Juan, Virgin del Fátima and the Virgin del Carmen. Two of these religious figures still hold significant importance over the village of Montecorto as the Festival of San Juan and the Fería Virgin del Carmen are still celebrated today.
In 1481, in a document titled, ‘The Border between the Kingdoms of Seville and Granada in the 15th Century', “Hedieli”, a Moor, handed Montecorto to the Marquis of Cadiz.
In 1485 Montecorto surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Audit and strongholds of Montecorto were ordered to be destroyed.
 Nowadays Montecorto is a sleepy white village with an ageing population and 660 inhabitants, which swells to about 1200 during Ferias and Festivals. The main festivals are the Romeria (First weekend in May), San Juan (21st June), The Fiesta of the Virgen del Carmen (16th-19th July) and the Feria de Emigrantes (15th August).
The main source of work is in agriculture, construction and tourism. Many of the villagers have to travel to Ronda, the Costa del Sol or further afield in their search for work. This is still a very traditional village where the daily siesta, between 2pm and 5pm is still sacred. It is actually possible to here a pin drop between these times. With an ageing population you can often see groups of old men sat playing cards or dominos outside one of the bars enjoying a 'Manzanilla' (white sherry) and a chat.
Montecorto has many amenities which include:
 The Town Hall (Ayuntamiento)
Entidad Local Autónoma de Montecorto
Plaza de Andalucía 1, 29430, Montecorto, Malaga.
Tel: 952 184 149 or 952 184 207
Fax: 952 184 149
Hours: Monday – Thursday 08.00 – 14.00 Friday 08.00 – 13.00
The Doctors
Consultorio
C/Antonio Machado, s/n. 29430 Montecorto, Malaga
Tel: 952 184 198
Hours: Monday – Friday 08.00-15.00
The Pharmacy
Avda la Constitución 1
29430, Montecorto, Malaga
Tel: 952 184 111
Hours: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 14.00
Bank Unicaja
C/Ermita 6
29430, Montecorto, Malaga
Tel: 952 184 119
Hours Monday – Friday 08.15 – 13.45
Petrol Station
Ctra Ronda - Sevilla A374 Km 12.5
29430, Montecorto, Malaga
Tel: 952 184 144
Hours Monday – Saturday 07.30 -23.00 Sunday 08.00 – 22.00
Library. Above doctors, Monday – Friday 16.30 – 20.30 Internet Available
Bakery on C/Molino Monday – Friday 07.30 – 14.00 Saturday 08.00 – 13.00
Bakery on C/Ermita Monday – Friday 07.30 – 14.00 Saturday 08.00 – 13.00
Fishery on C/Mahon Monday – Friday 10.00 – 14.00 Saturday 10.00 – 13.00 Closed Thursdays
Bar Parrada, Plaza De Andalucia. Monday – Sunday 08.30 – 24.00 Food Available, Closed Wednesdays
Bar Bodega, C/Ronda. Monday – Sunday 07.00 – 24.00
Bar Diego, C/Ermita. Tuesday – Sunday 09.00 – 23.30 Food Available at weekends. Closed Mondays
Bar Piscina, C/Nacimiento. Tuesday – Sunday 09.00 – Late Food Available. Closed Mondays
Restaurant Tropezon, Ctra Ronda – Sevilla. Monday – Friday 08.00 – 18.00 Meals, Tapas, Small Shop selling local produce. Closed Thursdays
Public Swimming Pool, C/Nacimiento. Open July and August Only.
Grocery Store Rubios C/Molino
Monday – Friday 08.00 – 14.00 17.30 – 20.30 Saturday 08.00 – 14.00
Grocery Store Ultramarinos C/Mahon
Monday – Friday 08.30 – 14.00 17.30 – 20.30 Saturday 08.30 – 14.00
For Children there are Swings and Slides next to Bar Piscina and on Plaza opposite Calle Montaur.
Bus Times.
The bus stop is outside Bar Parada in the Plaza de Andalucia.
Los Amarillios. Telf 952 18 70 61
RONDA-MONTECORTO-ALGODONALES-VILLAMARTÍN-CRUCE DE LAS CABEZASLOS PALACIOS-DOS HERMANAS –SEVILLA
From Monday to Friday 7:00-10:00-14:00-17:00-19:00
Saturdays 7:00-10:00-19:00
Sundays 7:00-10:00-17:00-19:00
Duration 2.45h.
Price 11€ approx
Transportes Comes. Telf 952 87 19 92
RONDA-MONTECORTO- ALGODONALES-PTO.SERRANO- VILLAMARTÍN-BORNOS-ARCOSJEDULA-JEREZ-PUERTO DE SANTA MARÍA- CÁDIZ
From Monday to Friday 9:30.
Diario/ daily 13:30
From Monday to Friday 16:30
Duration 3.15h
Price 13€ approx
Only Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 18:00
RONDA- VILLAMARTÍN-ARCOS- JEREZ
Daily direct bus to Jerez 11:30
Duration 2.15h
Price 10€ approx
Fiestas & Events
Romeria 3rd May
San Juan 21-24th June
Fiesta Virgen del Carmen 16-19th July
Feria of Emigrantes 15th August
Month of Culture (August) has daily Cinema, Art, Theatre, Childrens Games, Activities and Sport Events.
Click here to find and book a hotel in the Montecorto area. Booking is through the secure server at booking.com
And here is a map of Montecorto and the surrounding area
View Larger Map
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