Pruna top
Is a small village with a population of circa 3000. Typical of all the other whitewashed villages throughout Andalucia but with some of the best landscape views in Spain. The locals are friendly & always speak as they pass (Hola). There is a definite community feel to Pruna which seems to have bridged the language & culture gap between the locals & the small ex pat community that has settled here. Although there is an English community in Pruna it is very small & therefore Pruna still retains its charm. The English are helpful and friendly being in the main 40+ couples who have managed to achieve their lifestyle change. Some own holiday homes & are to be seen sporadically thought the year & a small number live full time.
Pruna has been occupied since the 1400’s & became a village in the 1600’s. An ‘Iron castle’ overlooks the village (now a ruin) & steals the horizon from most views from the village. There is a footpath to the Iron castle which overlooks the village if you are up for a strenuous walk.
The village is a maze of cobbled streets with two main squares the larger of which features a magnificent silver tree at its centre & is surrounded by 3 bars and a couple of local shops. The Miramar at the head of the square serves good food and attracts a healthy mix of English & Spanish. The vino tinto verano is worth a try on a hot day.
The local men congregate in the square early in the morning & again early evening to ‘chew the fat’ & right the world, often stopping to enjoy a cafe anis to kick start the day. The second square is adorned with palm trees & is a peaceful place to sit & read or just watch the world go by. It is overlooked by the church of Antonio Abbot- a building of baroque style built in the 17th century. The village is surrounded by olive trees which creates the majority of work for the locals.
There is a communal pool that is well guarded by greenery & surprisingly well maintained which is open during the summer holiday period.
The village has a number of restaurants & bars some of which have recently started to feature English menus.
As with most of Andalucia there are several Fiestas that take place through the year & engulf the village with most residence participating. The main being the Romeria in early May and the Ferria in August.
Torre Alhaquime top
Is a small village almost completely untouched by the English. This is true Spanish life. The village is nestled on a hillside a short distance from Olvera approximately half the size of Pruna. The village is exceptionally well maintained & always looks clean & tidy. Although small it is a maze of hilly cobbled streets. There is a communal park to the centre and several pubs. There is a communal pool open in the holidays & a communal seating area on the outskirts. Two pubs sit at the head of the main square which features viewing platforms to enjoy the scenery from the elevated position. The view of the village as approaching from the winding road is picture perfect & this really does represent postcard Spain.
Views from the rear of the village are also spectacular due to the village’s elevated position nestled on the mountainous hill top. Only a short drive from Setenil de las Bodegas which is worth the visit due to the much proclaimed ‘cave houses’. The houses are built into the mountainous hillside façade. Torre is truly an idyllic setting for someone looking for the real Spain. You will be welcomed with open arms & an array of ‘Hola’s’.
More cosmopolitan surroundings & amenities can be found a few minutes away in Olvera should you wish for bars, restaurants, stores & supermarkets.
Not yet discovered by English you will be one of the first but certainly not the last.
Olvera top
A medium sized town by Andalucian standards it is dominated by the monastery & castle ruins that stand centre & high above the town. There has been European investment in the town & the castle & monastery have been renovated. €2 Gets you access to the castle & museum which is worth the effort just for the magnificent views from the highest point for miles around. There are endless bars & restaurants & a mix of nationalities that have made Olvera their home. Still over 90% Spanish populated it still retains its charm.
Olvera has more of a hustle bustle atmosphere to it & has seen some recent investment to upgrade the aesthetics of the streets with a new fountain feature roundabout, numerous statuettes, upgraded cobbled streets & the building of a multi storey car park underway. Olvera is host to a market on Saturdays which dominates the main drag & is great fun to mooch around.
Olvera has many pubs & restaurants of a good standard & whilst having a night-life to speak of it is still a peaceful environment with friendly locals who are happy to chat away regardless of your grasp of the Spanish language.
There is a communal garden area situated in the centre of the town that acts as a retreat for the locals. It is high above the thrash of the streets below & beautifully tended. Immediately below there is a large water feature & a seating area should you want to watch the world go by. A bar/restaurant overlooks this communal area should you wish to sample the cuisine & treat yourself to a vino tinto.
There are plenty of shops from department stores to knick-knack stores. A communal pool lies on the outskirts of the village & is open during the holidays.
