Estepa is an ancient, historic, full-service, Andalusian Pueblo Blanco enjoying a sloping site above the A92 motorway that provides stunning views of the surrounding plains at every turn.
The town has a long and sometimes grisly history and has been careful to preserve as much as possible of the old. As a consequence Estepa has a charming ambience and whilst the slopes and stairs you find throughout the town are seldom too challenging, they do ensure that you will be confronted by wonderful views at every corner and from the upper floors of most village houses.
These days Estepas main claim to fame is as a producer of 'polvorones and mantecados', the traditional Christmas biscuits enjoyed across Andalusia. As a foreigner I regard them as an acquired taste that I have so far missed but our Spanish neighbours consume them in huge quantities. The town is, however, at the heart of a rich and prosperous agricultural region.
Estepa's architectural star is undoubtedly the 18th Century Palacio de los Marqueses de Cerverales, officially declared a National Historic Artistic Monument in 1984. Also in the centre, at the corner of calles Amargura and Castillejos, there are the tumbledown ruins of another 18th Century mansion of Arabic style and with fine ironwork.
The archaeological museum, the Museo Padre Martín Recio (calle Ancha 14), has a collection of local finds dating back to the Paleolithic period. The building itself was built in 1636 as a school, was converted into a prison in 1702 and in the early 20th century reverted to a school run by a local religious order. The city walls that still surround the old town on the San Cristobal hill were first built by the Moors, provide absolutely magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Fiestas:
The Candelaria. On February 2 bonfires are lit to celebrate the Candelaria.
The Romeria de San José Obrero (supposed to be a pilgrimage but think of a village picnic or party in the country) is on On May 1
The main Estepa Feria is on 1st May
There are also other, local, fiestas celebrated by different barrios to which all are welcome as long as they come to have fun!
Finally, journey time to Malaga; getting on for 70 minutes although with direct access to the motorway network and in view of recent improvements that is probably pretty conservative
Sevilla. Allow an hour depending on where in the city you are going and what time.
Antequera. Allow about 35 minutes.
For homes in and around Estepa please Click Here and for all properties in the province of Sevilla please Click Here
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