Caractéristiques
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Cottage
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1 chambre
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4 couchages
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1 salle de bain
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63 m² de superficie
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40 m² de terrasse
Divers
If you want to experience an authentic working Andalusian mountain village, then Sedella is the perfect choice. The pace of life is slow and old men still use mules for transporting goods and ploughing fields. You will see goatherders herding their goats into the mountains. Men and women stroll along the road at dusk, tending to their olive and almond trees.
Sedella has a population of around 700 inhabitants. It is in a popular walking/cycling area in the Sierra Tejeda Natural Park, with stunning views of Mount Maroma. It has two small shops and several bars, plus a swimming pool open in summer months. It is just over an hours drive from Malaga airport, 35 minutes from the coast and a 15 minute drive from the larger village of Competa, where you will find many bars/cafes and shops.
THE HOUSE
The house is full of quirky charm and was originally a barn attached to a farmhouse (hence the steep staircase!). It has been left as traditional as possible and has old quarry tiles on the floors. Downstairs has a blue and white theme - typical Mediterranean colours. The living room has a painted beamed ceiling with the infill being made of cane, as is the tradition in rural Andalusian houses. There is a log burner for cooler winter months and a double bed settee. There is a TV (for watching DVDs only) and DVD player with a good selection of DVDs, ipod docking and a radio, and books and leaflets on the area. Doors lead off from here and also the kitchen, to a private inner courtyard with a table and chairs and plants. This is used as an outdoor dining room in summer months where the scent of jasmine fills the air. The kitchen has wooden cupboards and a tiled work surface. There is a ceramic 4 ring electric hob, small oven, microwave, toaster, fridge, iron and ironing board and washing machine. This leads onto the downstairs shower room which consists of a shower, w.c and sink and has a window looking onto the inner courtyard. Towels are provided including beach towels. The steep, stone staircase leads off from the lounge to the bedroom. This is decorated in Moorish style and has an en suite w.c. The bed can be separated to form two single beds. There is a hanging rail and cupboards and electric wall heater. Stairs lead up to the sunny roof terrace which has one of the most stunning views in Sedella! It's like being on top of the World! From here, there are wonderful views of Mount Maroma (6,000 feet) and down the valley over the surrounding countryside and over part of the village. On a clear day you can see the sea in the distance. It is a wonderful spot for watching the sunset, and at night, for star gazing, listening to the sounds of goat's bells in the surrounding hills. There is a pergola in one corner for shade. It is furnished with a bistro set for two, sun loungers, sun chairs, hammock and plants.
N.B. Because of the steepness of the staircase, it is not suitable for the very young or elderly.
SEDELLA
Sedella is situated at 689 metres above sea level in the foothills of Mount Maroma (2,080 metres high) in the Tejeda National Park and Wildlife Reserve in the Axarquia region. It is on the scenic Mudejar Archetecture Route. It has a population of 700 inhabitants. It is ideal cycling and walking country in Spring and Autumn. There are many scenic walks leading from the village.
The most prominent building in the village is San Andreas church which stands on the site of a former 16th century church. The bell tower from the original church forms part of the structure.
Another notable building in the village (in the main village square) is the Casa del Torreon (House of the Tower) dating from the 16th century. It was part of the ruins of the fortress of the former Lord of Sedella. The tower is of Mudejar style and has allowed Sedella to be listed on the 'Mudejar route'. It is a private residence.
The Hermitage of the Virgen de la Esperanza was built in the 17th century and houses the images of the Virgen and of San Anton, the patron saints of the village. This is located on our road into Sedella, on the right hand side before you get to the school.
There are five restaurant/bars in the village and two local shops. Delivery vans come every day with bread, fruit and fish. There is a small market on Monday mornings. The village has a swimming pool open in summer only (July and August).
Parking is available close to the house near the school although you can unload next to the house itself.
VILLAGE FIESTAS
January
The weekend closest to 17th January is the festival of San Anton, Patron Saint of Animals. There is music and dancing on the Saturday night in the village square, and drinking in the bars until late. On the Sunday the villages take their animals (mostly horses) on a procession around the village ending up in the square, accompanied by a musical band (dominated by the statue of San Anton) where they are blessed. Lots of rockets are set off and more music and dancing on Sunday night. A fantastic firework display ends proceedings.
April - Easter (Corpus Christi)
The villagers put alters on several streets, which they adorn with decorative items and flowers. A procession, (dominated by the Virgin Mary and Jesus) accompanied by a musical band, makes a stop at each of the alters. Children play a prank where they go round the village hunting for pot plants which they then take to the village square. The locals take all their potted plants indoors the night before!
August - The first week end in August
This is the main fiesta where the villge honours its Patron Saint - the Virgen de la Esperanza. The festivities start on the Friday and on Saturday it is the traditional Sedella Road Race. In the afternoon, the Virgen is transported from the Hermitage to the Church, which is then followed by a traditional party on the Fiesta ground. The Queen of the Festivities is also elected. On the Sunday, the village is awoken by the church bells announcing the beginning of the celebrations and at noon there is a floral tribute made to the Virgen. Following Mass, the Virgen travels through the village streets and then everyone goes to the Fiesta ground where there are stalls, bars and musical entertainment until the early hours when a burst of fireworks brings the fiesta to a close.
OTHER AREAS
The largest village in the area is Competa (15 minutes by car) where there is a large supermarket and many shops and restaurants/bars. Market day is Saturday. Velez Malaga (30 minutes by car) is an attractive town, with many shops and has an interesting old Arab area and a Moorish tower. On the outskirts is an indoor shopping mall (El Ingenio) with a hypermarket (Eroski).
The coast
The nearest beach resort is at Torre del Mar, a 35 minute drive, (just past Velez Malaga)- a large resort with an attractive sea front promenade, popular with Spanish. Further East is Torrox Costa, a smaller resort with a lighthouse and glass walkway where you can view Roman remains. Market day is Monday. Even further East (and 55 minutes from Sedella) is the attractive resort of Nerja which has kept its old world charm with narrow pedestrianised streets and pavement bars. It has several beaches and the famous Balcon de Europa which juts out to sea, giving spectacular views over the rocky coastline and distant mountains, and fabulous sunsets over the sea. Maro, 5 mins from Nerja, is still agricultural with plastic tunnels dominating the coastline, where fruit and veg are grown. There are several beaches and rocky coves (some are nudist). It is a lovely, natural area. On the road to the main beach, there are ruins of the old Victorian sugar factory and viaduct (recently restored). Sugar cane was once grown in abundance and was a major industry around Velez Malaga and the coastal region.
Axarquia
Until a few years ago, Axarquia was well and truly "off the tourist route" and the region is still relatively "undiscovered". Shepherds still lead their goats through the hills and valleys and the locals use Mules for ploughing and carrying goods to and from their fields. Olive trees, almond trees and grape vines dot the landscape. Each village in the region has their own version of the local sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes - look for the white rectangles on the hillsides where grapes are dried. There are many lush, tropical river valleys where exotic fruits are grown. The region has deep valleys lined with irrigation channels that date back to the time of Muslim occupation. The influence of Arab origin is also seen in the layout of the villages with narrow, winding streets, lined with whitewashed houses.
NOTES
Please note the house rental price is in GB Pounds! (NOT Euros)
On Spanish bank holidays the local shops will be closed. Local shops open morning and early evening with a siesta in the afternoon - on Sundays they open mornings only. Petrol stations stay open all day. El Ingenio shopping mall at Velez Malaga is closed on Sundays except for the food outlets upstairs. Several shops/supermarkets on the coast are open all day, every day and throughout holidays.
Bank Holidays for 2012 are:
January 2nd, January 6th, February 28th, April 5th, April 6th, May 1st, (August 4th and 5th is Sedella Fiesta), August 15th, October 12th, November 1st, December 6th, December 8th and December 25th.
As this is also my own holiday home, if there are any breakages, could you please leave a note and replace where possible. Thank you.
Have a look at Spain.holiday's articles on Axarquia, they are very useful and informative and join their Facebook page!