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 Zahara de la Sierra which means “Flower” so named due to the abundance of citrus blossoms (azahar) also the village was known for a time as Zahara de los Membrillos (Zahara of the Quinces). It is situated at the foot of the Sierra del Jaralin, the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the extreme north east of the Province of Cádiz. The history of Zahara dates back to prehistoric times with silex (flint) tools used for domestic tasks found in the Garganta and Arena caves. Its origins may be found in the Chalcolithic (second millenium B.C.) or the Neolithic periods, based on the polished hatchets used for agriculture found in the inflow of the Arroyo Bocaleones with the Guadalete River and also the Covatillas Cave.
Zahara de la Sierra is partially located on a Roman settlement with findings of roof tiles (Tegulas, currently on display in the Archaeological Museum of Seville) on Peñas Street and close to the Arco de la Villa is a lion carved in stone in typical late Roman tradition. These remains have led us to believe they belonged to a Roman necropolis. There is more evidence of Roman existence in the area surrounding Zahara such as the 'Puente de los Palominos' and the 'Tesorillo' deposit at Arroyomolinos consisting of roof tiles, ceramics and a pink marble column, similar materials where found in abundance at the Roman village of Acinipo just 30km away.
Towards the mid thirteenth century Zahara and its fortress formed part of the western border of the Nasrid Kingdom and lay under the military control of Ronda. 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.
During the reconquest of Andalusia, by the Christians, there are specific references to the years 1407, 1410, 1481 and 1483.
In 1407 Prince Fernando “El de Antequera”, tutor of Juan II and later King Fernando I of Aragón conquered Zahara after submitting it to a bombardment. Zahara was amongst many villages to be recaptured during the same military campaign, the Christians also took over Pruna and Torre Alháquime to the north.
In 1410. Taking advantage that the governor, Alonso Fernández de Melgarejo and his troops had left Zahara unguarded, the Moors attempted to recapture Zahara. Helped by two traitors on the inside they scaled the castle walls, once inside the Moors burnt the village and killed the inhabitants but knowing that Fernando was on his way back to Zahara they fled, only seven Christians survived this attack.
In 1481. Zahara is again taken over by the Nazari, the surprise attack and conquest of Zahara by the Nazari was the beginning of the definitive war against the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. Zahara was of vital importance for both sides since its geographic position was a basic observation point, Zahara found itself in a situation of constant anticipation of war and whilst on permanent alert there were no women or children inhabiting the village, just men ready for war.
In 1483 Rodrigo Ponce de León conquered Zahara in October and the Nazari people were expelled. The Catholic Kings gave Rodrigo 'juro de heredad' (right to a property) to the village of Zahara and the title 'Marquis de Zahara'.
Today tourists and other visitors passing through Zahara de la Sierra will appreciate the role it played in the Middle Ages and the “Reconquest” of this region from the Moors.
 Zahara de la Sierra Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of Zahara de la Sierra goes back to 1483, when Rodrigo Ponce de León conquered the village and received the title of ''Marquis of Zahara'' with the coat of arms that is now the town’s. The coat of arms can be seen on the main balcony of the Town Hall on a red silk flag and also inside the Town Hall.
Zahara is the last village perched on the most westerly massif of the Cordilleras Béticas. These limestone mountains are also the highest and most rugged in the Cádiz province, with the highest peak Torreón at 1654 metres in the Sierra del Pinar.
 The Municipality of Zahara is situated in the Grazalema Natural Park (formed in 1984) and has several places of interest to visit including the church of Santa Maria, the Chapel of San Juan de Letra, the Clock Tower and the Ruins of the Castle. Just outside the village you can visit the Garganta Verde (the Green Gorge) and Llano de Ravel, permits are needed to enter both of these areas and they can be obtained by faxing 956 716 339 or phoning 956 727 029 the Tourist Information Centre in El Bosque.
Due to this immense natural environment, Zahara de la Sierra was declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1977. In 1984, the area was declared a Natural Park, particularly the two Gorges (Garganta verde and Garganta Seca) and the Spanish fir forest (Pinsapar) were catalogued as a Nature Reserve which is the highest level of protection in the legislation of Andalucía.
Tourism now plays a major role in sustaining the village and its people. The numerous bars, restaurants and hotels depend on visitors coming to see the white villages (pueblos blancos) of Western Andalusia, of which, Zahara is a must see village. Other employment in Zahara is mainly in agriculture and construction.
If you care to walk up to the Moorish castle and stand on its tower roof you can see Algodonales and the Sierra de Lijar (to the north), the Peñón Algarín above El Gastor (to the east), Arroyomolinos, Monte Prieto, Sierra Blanquilla – Puerto de las Palomas and Sierra del Pinar in the direction of Grazalema (to the south) and the Arroyo de Bocaleones and Sierra Margarita out towards Prado del Rey and El Bosque (to the west).
Molino el Vinculo
Whilst in the area make sure you pay a visit to Molino El Vinculo, A traditional working olive press that has guided tours and also a shop where you can buy high quality cold pressed olive oil and other products such as local wines and preserves
Cueva del Susto (Cave of Fright)
In Arroyomolinos, inside the Natural Park of Sierra de Grazalema, we find the Cueva del Susto. The entrance at the foot of the mountain is diffficult to enter. Inside, we come across a very deep pit and a small room, then we find two long narrow galleries through which one can only pass by crawling. We come to a large room with a multitude of stalactites and in the following room we find an immense underground lake whose waters supply the towns of Zahara and El Gastor. The many precipices and the amount of underground water circulating in the Cave is, in addition to being the water source for the old settlements, the origin of the name of the Cave. Currently, the entrance is covered due to landslides.
Zahara has many amenities which include
The Town Hall (Ayuntamiento)
Plaza del Rey 1, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Tel: 956 123 004
Opening hours 8am - 3pm Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
The Doctors (Consultario)
Calle Ronda, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Tel: 902 505 061 (Emergencies Only)
Opening hours 8am - 3pm Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
The Pharmacy
Calle Ronda 25, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Opening hours 7.30am - 1.30pm & 6pm - 9pm Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Tourist Information Office
Plaza del Rey 3, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Tel: 956 123 114
Opening hours: 9am - 2pm & 4pm - 7pm
There is Internet connection here, a shop selling local products with information about the local area & wildlife upstairs
Unicaja Bank
Calle San Juan 8, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Tel: 956 123 088
Opening hours 8.30am - 2.15pm Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
No Cash Machine
Cajasol Bank
Calle Ronda, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province
Tel: 956 150 302
Opening hours 8.30am - 2.15pm Monday - Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Cash Machine inside front door.
Petrol Station.
There is no petrol station in Zahara. The nearest one is on the A374 on the outskirts of Algonodales approximately 10km away.
Post office. (Correos)
Calle Ronda, 11688, Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz Province.
Opening hours 9am - 10am Monday - Saturday (Yes one hour)
Closed Sundays
Shops
Plaza de Abastos (At the top of Calle Ronda)
There is a Fruit Shop (Fruteria), Butchers (Carneceria) and Fishmongers (Pescaderia)
Opening hours 8am - 2pm & 6pm - 8.30pm Monday - Friday
Saturday 8.30am - 2pm
Closed Sundays
Bread Shop (Panaderia) Calle San Juan 5. 8.am - 3pm.
Supermarkets
There are a number of supermarkets in Zahara.
Supermercado Zahara, Calle Alta 36
Supermercado Calle Manchego
Supermercado off Calle Guadalete
Opening hours are generally 8am - 2pm & 6pm - 8.30pm Monday - Friday
Bars & Restaurants
Al Lago. Calle Rodriguez de la Fuente 11. 10am - 10pm Monday - Saturday. Sunday 10am - 6pm. Closed Wednesdays (Except in August).
Mesón Los Estribos Calle El Fuerte 3. Open 9am - 5pm & 8pm until midnight. Food Available all day.
Los Naranjos Calle San Juan 15. Open 9am until midnight. Food Available all day.
Bar Nuevo Calle San Juan 13.Open 9am until midnight. Food Available all day.
Closed Wednesday
Bar Mirador Plaza del Rey. 10am - 3pm & 7pm until midnight. Food available all day.
Bar La Pena. Calle Ronda. 7.30am until 11.30pm. Drinks Only. Closed Sundays.
Bar Perez Calle Patinete. 11.30am until 11.30pm. Drinks Only.
Bar Chiquitito. Calle Ronda. 9am - 3pm & 8pm until midnight. Food available all day.
Bar La Cabana. Evenings Only. Everyday.
Bar Josefi. Plaza Del V Centenario. 10am - 5pm & 8pm until midnight. Food available all day.
Municipal Pool and Bar
Located in a typical olive grove, in the area of Fuente de la Higuera. Has a bar, restaurant, large grass area for sunbathing and natural shade, dressing rooms and lifeguards. Open to the public during July & August.
Click here to find a hotel in the Zahara de la Sierra area and make an online booking via the secure website at Booking.com
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