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 El Gastor is known as the “Balcony of the White Villages” due to its bright white houses that from their highest point, (1,060 metres) enjoy breathtaking views of the neighbouring villages. It is located in the north eastern corner of the Cádiz Province and falls on the northern border of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
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 the villages of Montecorto and El Gastor. These date back to the Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BC). Also known as “Dolmens”, they were usually covered in smaller stones and earth to create a chamber, examples to be found nearby are The Necropolis of Moral, The Dolmen of Chopo (near Montecorto) and the Dolmens of the Angostura (near El Gastor). Nowadays the earth and smaller stones have washed away, leaving just the stone skeleton.
In Roman times there are indications of the existence of “Irippo” and coins minted by Emperor Augustus have been found.
In 1369. El Gastor was a military stronghold of nearby Zahara under King Alfonso XI of Castille.
During the XIV and XV centuries, villages in this area passed between Christian and Muslim hands frequently.
In 1484. El Gastor was recaptured from the Moors by Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, Marquis of Cadiz. After the reconquest in the XVI century, villagers from El Gastor made their living raising cattle and farming. The first street to be built is called Calle Fuente “The Fountain” due to the existence of a fountain which supplied water to the houses and was a popular meeting point for the local women to gossip whilst washing the laundry.
In 1834. El Gastor gained independence from Zahara de la Sierra.
During the French invasion it was the cradle of bandits such as José María “El Tempranillo”, who married a local girl from El Gastor.
During the Civil War, the village was controlled by the Falange National Party and suffered a harsh post-war period with strong repressions. Once again bandits appeared in the mountains, the most notorious were Diego Corrientes and El Cerrito or Potaje, the latter was killed in the mountains around Zahara de la Sierra and his body paraded through El Gastor on the back of a donkey.
MONUMENTS
Olive Oil Mill. "HERMANOS PALOMINO"
This old Oil Mill is preserved with all its machinery: two large and heavy revolving stones for grinding the olives and a deposit to collect and store the oil. Currently the mill, a private property, is not in use but is in perfect working order.
 Church of San José
Can be found on the Plaza de la Constitucion next to the townhall (Ayuntamiento). It is one of the most important monuments from the 18th century in Neoclassical style in El Gastor. After being plundered during the Civil War, the church was rebuilt. Inside is the Patron Saint of El Gastor, the Virgen del Rosario. Originally built in 1747 the main entrance is crowned by a belfy with three bells and is 25 metres high.
Dolmens
Three of the megalithical tombs (Dolmens), which confirm the presence of settlements in the prehistoric age are in the area of Angostura: El Charcón, Algarrobales and Algarín, pertaining to the Neolithical phase. The best known is the dolmen at the abandoned Cortijo of El Charcón, it is also known as the "Tomb of the Giant" and is a tomb with a corridor nine metres long by almost two metres high. Another Dolmen is on the road to Setenil, Dolmen del Vina.
Fariña Cave
At the foot of the north face of the Algarín cliff is the Fariña Cave of very difficult access and a bandit hideout in years gone by. The entrance is a small hole, hardly the size of a person, on the floor. Upon entering, we come upon a very large room where prehistoric silex remains were found.
Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions " Jose Mª El Tempranillo"
Address Calle Alta, 5
Telephone number 956 123 846
The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions "Jose Maria El Tempranillo'' contains all the traditional household items and objects of the village throughout its history. It is situated in the home where the famous bandit´s bride was born. After rehabilitation, the building maintained its original structure. In the museum you will find different rooms with objects related to the life of the town, its inhabitants and its traditions. It is a place that maintains the spirit of banditry on its walls in the purest Andalucian style.
Local Crafts
Gastor “Bagpipe”
The most popular handcraft is the Gastor “Bagpipe”, which is a musical wind instrument made of a bull or cow horn, at the end of which a round piece of wood is inserted as well as a small pipe known as “pita” through which one blows to produce sound. Its origin goes back to the first settlers of the mountain range, the Iberos; it was later influenced by the Arab flute or hornpipe, which lends its original shape.
History: It is difficult to establish when it came into the peninsula, but it has a marked Mediterranean character. It is believed that it remained in this mountainous area of Andalucia due to the special geographic configuration, thus being isolated. The bagpipe” was played after November, the month of the dead (as the locals say). At night the young men would sit around bonfires, insert the wood pieces and make their “bagpipes”, and the music produced by their instruments filled the last months of the year. The “bagpipe” would also be played by villagers in the early morning hours, under the light of a street lantern, leaning against the wall (the custom is to play the instrument leaning against something). After the festivities, the instrument was no longer played, and the following year a new instrument was built.
“Pleitas” (Braids)
Another local handcraft is the production of “pleitas”, which consist of three to seventeen braids made of palms or esparto grass. The braids are used to produce objects such as: sandals, mats, bottle casings...
El Gastor has many amenities which include:
 The Townhall (Ayuntamiento)
Entidad Local Autónoma de El Gastor
Plaza de la Constitucion 14, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 956 123 815
Hours: Monday – Friday 08.00 – 14.00
The Doctors
Consultorio
Calle Calzada 18, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 956 123 657
Emergencies: 902 505 061
Hours: Monday – Friday 08.00-15.00
The Pharmacy
Calle Fuente 44, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 956 123 824
Emergencies: 635 965 142
Hours: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 14.00
Bank Unicaja
Plaza de la Constitucion 14, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 956 123 826
Hours: Monday – Friday 08.30 - 2.15
No Automatic Teller Machine. (ATM)
Bank Cajasol
Plaza de la Constitucion 3, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 956 123 814
Hours: Monday – Friday 08.30 - 2.15
24 hour Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Available.
Bank La Caixa
Calle Fuente 56, 11687, Cadiz.
Tel: 680 502 708
Hours: Monday – Friday 09.00 - 2.00
24 hour Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Availble
Post Office (Correos)
Plaza de Abastos
Tel: 902 197 197
Hours: Monday - Friday 09.00 - 10.00
Bar la Cancela, Calle Huertos. Monday – Sunday 08.30 – 24.00 Food Available,
Closed Wednesdays
Bar/Restaurant La Posada, Calle Fuente 49. Monday – Sunday 08.30 – 24.00 Food Available. Internet Available.
Bar Meson Los Cañaos. Calle Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente. Monday - Sunday 10.30 - 23.00 Food Available 13.30 - 16.00 & 20.00 - 22.00
Bar Las Cazadores. Calle Las Palmeras 18. Food Available.
Public Swimming Pool. Carretera to Setenil. Open July and August Only.
Furniture Shop. Electro Muebles Roldan. Calle Fuente 53
Hours. Monday - Friday 09.30 - 14.00 & 16.00 - 20.30
Grocery Store Coviran, Calle Fuente 16
Monday – Friday 08.00 – 14.00 & 17.30 – 20.30 Saturday 08.00 – 14.00
Bakery on C/Fuente Monday – Friday 07.30 – 14.00 Saturday 08.00 – 13.00
Fishmongers on Plaza de Abastos Monday – Friday 07.30 – 14.00.
El Gastor is 20 kms from Grazalema, 17 kms from Zahara, 15 kms from Algodonales,
33 kms from Ronda.
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