Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Pueblos Blancos

Ronda, seen in the distance, is one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns" of Andalusia. It was known to the Romans by the name of Arunda. At the end of the Roman Empire it was taken by the Suebi and later part of the Visigoth realm. In 713 it fell to the Berbers, who built a castle on the Roman foundations. The troops of the Marquis of Cádiz conquered Ronda after a siege in 1485. The Spanish decreed that all Muslims must either convert to Christianity or leave Spain without their belongings. Muslims who converted were called Moriscos, they had to wear upon their hats a blue crescent. In 1566 Philip II decreed the use of the Arabic language illegal, required that doors open on Fridays to verify that no Muslim Friday prayers were conducted. This led to a rebellion. The Muslim soldiers defeated the Spanish army sent to suppress them. The massacre prompted Phillip II to order the expulsion of all Moriscos in Ronda. Ronda´s Moorish old town, La Ciudad, is located on a steeply sloping rock plateau. The old town is separated from the younger part, El Mercadillo, by a narrow gorge almost 100 meters deep, formed by the Guadalevín River. The abyss is spanned by three bridges.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was in independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The valley of the Guadalete river, seen from the Parador, formerly "Casa del Corregidor", in the early morning hours. The Parador is located directly on top of the steep cliff.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. A red Renault in a white town.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The "Castillo de Arcos" is located behind the city hall at the "Plaza del Cabildo". The medieval castle has Moorish roots, rebuilt in the 15th century. Other than the "Casa del Corregidor" on the opposite side of the place, that meanwhile serves as a Parador (and from where this photo was taken) the castle is still privately owned.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled, when it got this Baroque, Plateresque portal. Car drivers know, that the old part of Arcos de la Frontera has same very narrow lanes.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled, when it got this Baroque, Plateresque portal.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. The Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asunción, located at the central "Plaza del Cabildo", is older than it seems. The building was originally started by Alphonso XIt on the site of the mosque und was completed in the 14th century. It got later largely remodeled. The massive bell tower was added in the 18th century - and carries 11 bells.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista. San Pedro is located on the cliff over the river. The church was erected from 1728 on.

Arcos de la Frontera is a one of the "Pueblos Blancos", the "White Towns of Andalusia". The old part of the town is located on a steep cliff above the river Guadalete. Arcos was an independent Moorish town for long. Though Alphonso X of Castile expelled the Moors. The area was a frontier between the Christian and the Moorish troops upto 1492, when Granada after a long siege ultimatively fell, what ended the Reconquista.