Rio Gordo

Interesting facts
Area: 40,60
Number of inhabitants: 2.700
Descent: Riogordeños
Monuments: Church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Shrine of San Sebastián
Geographical situation: In the Axarquía, 35 kilometres from Malaga and Vélez, at 400 metres above sea level
Tourist information:
Ayuntamiento, Plaza de la Constitución, 14. 29180. Phone: 952 732 154 Fax: 952 732 380

Riogordo is in the Axarquía, equidistant at 35 kilometres from Malaga, Vélez and Antequera. It has two quite separate barrios: the Barrio Alto, or Cerrillo, and the Barrio Bajo, or The Plaza. The houses on both sides of the hilly streets are low with interior patios, wells and stables. The town has a number of old family homes dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, and many of those houses in and around the central square have niches built in, housing virgins, saints or the image of the Crucified Christ. The most traditional of the old streets are calle Deán de Rojas, calle La Santa and calle El Horno. The name of the town - the Fat River - would suggest an origin in the dense vegetation along the banks of the Río de la Cueva, rather than the volume of water that flows through it. But the more accepted theory is that the name derives from the rich mineral water that comes out of an interior cavity, making the water seem fat. It is also believed that this was the very reason for the first Neolithic settlers choosing this place. Remains from this period have been found in the Tajo de Gomer, with Bronze Age remains discovered in the Cerro de la Capellanía. There is evidence too of Phoenician settlement in the region, while Roman mosaics have been found in the Villas of Auta, dating from the third century. It was the Moors, nevertheless, that were responsible for the economic growth of the town and the strengthening of the Castle of Aute as a defensive fortress.
The present location of the town is due to it having been the spot that the Catholic Monarchs camped on while conquering Vélez. The town was active in the fight against the French invaders during the War of Independence, one of the local heroes of the time being a man known as The Priest of Riogordo, whose reputation as a guerrilla fighter spread far and wide.


Outstanding visits
Church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia
This church, built in 1490, has two naves with semicircular arches supported by pillars. The ceilings are of particular architectural interest, showing elements typical of the period.
Hermitage of San Sebastián
The Hermitage of San Sebastián was built at the end of the 17th century, and documentation about it dates from July, 1681. It is a curious structure in the centre of the town, designed in a single nave covered by a richly decorated barrel vault. The most interesting item inside is the Camarín (small room) of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, and authentic jewel of Baroque architecture.
El Tajo del Gómer
This is one of the most beautiful areas around Riogordo, where a trekking route takes us to the Tajo (Gorge) at the Río de la Cueva.
Personalities. El Cura de Riogordo
José Antonio Muñoz Sánchez, better known as "El Cura de Riogordo" (The Priest of Riogordo) has gone down in local history as the priest who fought the French in the War of Independence, reaching the rank of captain in a cavalry regiment. He was particularly good at harassment, and ingenious in strategy, we are told. Some of his feats of valour include an attack on the supplies depot of Arenas on March 5th, 1812, and his amazing escape from four columns of French soldiers, made up of 1,500 men, in Tollox on November 7th, 1811. He also punished those who took advantage of the war to plunder and steal.
Museum of popular Arts
C/Cinco de Noviembre, s/n .Tel. 952 732 154. De 17 a 21 h. Open mornings only on Saturdays and Sundays.