Grazalema

Spanish city


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native_name = Grazalema
spanish_name = Grazalema
nickname =
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image_coat_of_arms = Escudo de Grazalema.svg
image_coat_of_arms_size = 80px
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image_city_map_size = 190px
image_city_map_caption = Location of Grazalema
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native_language = Spanish
community = Andalusia
community_link = Andalusia
province = Cádiz
province_link = Cádiz (province)
comarca = Sierra de Cádiz
comarca_link = Sierra de Cádiz
divisions =
neighborhoods =
mayor = Mª José Lara
political_party = PSOE
political_party_link = Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
area = 121
altitude = 812
population = 2.243
date-population = 2007
population-ranking =
density = 18,4
date-density = 2007
website = http://www.grazalema.es/
postal_code = 11610
area_code =

Grazalema is a village located in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range, Grazalema, according to the 2005 census, had a population of 2,225.

Economy

Traditionally, the economy of the village was generated by small-scale agriculture, sheep herding, cork harvesting, and handicrafts, like hand-weaving lambswool cloth and furniture-making. These activities are now quite limited and under-resourced. Due to the location of Grazalema in the middle of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the fact that the town is one of the "pueblos blancos", the so-called (White Towns of Andalusia), tourism now plays a major role in sustaining the village and its people. The mountainous area around Grazalema is popular with climbers and hikers, and local people make money by providing accommodations and hospitality to visitors.

History

The Roman Villa of Lacidulia, situated in an estate near to the present village has been traditionally considered the ancestor of Grazalema.

With the Moslem invasion in the eighth century, these lands were populated by people of Berber origin and from them, the area acquired the name of Raisa lami Suli, “town of the Banu al-Salim”, place which passed to Ben-salama, “Son of Zulema and later Grand Zulema”. During this period, its economy was organised around forestry, agriculture, farming and textile manufacture.

With the Christian conquest in 1485, Zagrazalema, which it was called then, became part of the lands of the Ponce de León. It became economically important as of the 17th Century thanks to the drapery industry which produced the famous shawls of Grazalema. In the first years of the 19th Century, during the War of Independence, Grazalema suffered attacks and sieges from the Napoleonic troops who partially destroyed the village.

Heritage

Parish church of the Incarnation, 17 to 19 CenturyChurch of Our Lady of Aurora, Baroque Style 18 CenturyMuseums: Cloak factory, Our Lady of Carmen, textile handicraft

Fiestas

The first fiesta is the Romería of San Isidro Labrador which is held on the last Sunday in May (celebrating the arrival of summer). On 13 June, the village celebrates Benamahoma, the fiesta in honor of its patron, San Antonio. During the third week of July, the Fiestas of Carmen are held which climax with the Monday of Bulls. The first Sunday in August, Benamahoma celebrates the festival of Moors and Christians. The most important agricultural festivals in Grazalema are held during the third week in August. The eighth day of September is the day of the Virgin of the Angeles, who is the patron saint of Grazalema.

Demographics

Demography 7col|400px
1999|2000|2001|2002|2003|2004|2005
2,249|2,240|2,230|2,219|2,200|2,178|2,225Source: [http://www.ine.es INE (Spain)]

ee also

*Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park

External links

* [http://www.grazalemaguide.com] - Information about Grazalema and surrounding areas.
* [http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadistica/sima/htm/sm11019.htm Grazalema] - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía
* [http://www.tierrawiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Grazalema TierraWiki.org] - Outdoor information around Grazalema.