• Andalucia is peppered with tiny 'pueblos blancos' or white villages which represent the very essence of Spain. Here you can forget about the hustle and bustle of the Coast or life back home and immerse yourself in the way that life has been in these villages for centuries. One of the most beautiful of these villages lies just 35 minutes inland from Gibraltar and is strategically located equidistant from the Atlantic & Mediterranean coasts and in an area of extreme natural beauty just 1 hours drive from Ronda.

• Jimena de la Frontera is a historic village located about 35 kilometres inland from San Roque on the road and railway to Ronda. Surrounded by the Los Alcornocales Natural Park and at around 200 meters above sea level, Jimena is a surprising contrast to the coastal affluence of the nearby golf and polo belt in the exclusive area of Sotogrande below. Having been officially declared of Historical and Artistic Importance in 1983, the typical Andalucian architecture is now being carefully preserved. Many British people have chosen to settle there.

• This gem of a village, has a fairly chequered historical past, having been inhabited at various times by the Iberians, Phoenicians and Carthaginians as well as by the Romans, who made good use of the rich metal deposits found there. Around the year 750, it was of great commercial importance to the Moors, who also used it as a strategic military point. Over the centuries Jimena was conquered and re-conquered on many occasions and twice fell into the hands of the Christians, but by in 1879, during the reign of Alfonso XII, Jimena was so highly considered that it was given the title of Cuidad (Town). With a present population of just over 9,000 inhabitants (some 1,000 of whom are foreign residents - many British), its narrow cobbled streets and white washed Andalucian houses, it certainly retains its village ambience and is a delight to visit.

• The countryside around Jimena is as beautiful as it is varied. There are several 'cotos de caza' (game preserves) as well as rich forestland and mountains all around. Then there are the fertile valleys of the villages of San Pablo de Buceite and San Martin del Tesorillo, where orange groves and other agricultural activities, irrigated by the River Guadiaro, are important local industries in the area. From this description, you can begin to imagine how different it is from the manicured golf courses and grand villa gardens, less than 40 kilometres south on the coast. This village and its surrounding countryside is a joy for nature lovers and those looking for calm and relaxation.

• The cobbled streets of the village are steep and narrow. While it is possible to drive up to the highest point and visit the castle, once the Moors vantage point (built on Roman ruins), better still is an unhurried 15-minute walk up through the little streets, taking in the village atmosphere. Then the views are even more worthwhile! Take care in the colder winter months, when rain can make the steep streets slippery. Once in the castle enclosure, you have clear views down the valley and over the bay to Gibraltar and Algeciras.

• As well as a visit to the castle, you can't leave Jimena without trying some of the local gastronomic delights. Many of the dishes use the natural ingredients found in the surrounding forest, or from locally grown produce. Try local restaurants for; 'Revuelto de esparragos' - asparagus in scrambled egg, and 'Chantarella', a type of wild mushroom. For something sweet, the 'Pinonate' is a specialty in Jimena and is of Arabic origins. It is an artisan product of the surrounding Los Alcornocales Natural Park, whose recipe has been handed down through the ages. Ingredients include olive oil, honey, almonds, cinnamon and orange peel. The stunning countryside, historic interest and natural beauty are just topped off with this delicious natural cuisine.

• Annual celebrations in Jimena de la Frontera are:

• Carnival in February
• Agricultural Fair in the second week in May
• International Music Festival (second week in July), featuring Classic, Jazz, Flamenco, Celtic and Ethnic music
• Annual Village Fair in the second week of August - Devotion to the Reina de los Angeles in the first week of September

• In the two years between 2001 and 2003 property prices in Jimena increased dramatically; this was largely due to the increased exposure from the annual music festival and to the increase in overseas buyers looking more further inland to discover 'real Spain' and to escape the often unaffordable prices on the coast.

• Since the end of 2003 a degree of sanity has returned and inland properties in areas like Jimena are now on offer at more realistic and sustainable prices than in the years above.

• Also many of the older Spanish owners of properties near to the top of the village have taken the opportunity to realise the relatively high prices on offer for their older style village houses, selling to Northern Europeans who then reform the properties to combine the traditional features with modern architecture to create highly desirable homes, often with incredible views.

• Many of these properties on offer until recent years had no escritura which meant a lengthy process to formally register the property and prohibited mortgage finance. Owners have now wised up to this and realised that by getting the correct documentation their properties will appeal to a wider market and fetch better prices.

• Also, many agents will not handle unregistered property creating an even greater need for owners to seek the necessary documents.

• Despite increasing prices it is still possible for astute buyers to find an attractive and fully restored village house for less than the cost of a coastal apartment. For those a little more adventurous there also remain ample opportunities to find unreformed houses where it is possible to carry out the necessary improvements and thus provide a comfortable and attractive home, whilst at the same time adding substantially to the value of the property.

• The close proximity of the coast and the easy access to Ronda and the Alcornocales National Park gives Jimena a unique strategic advantage in that it attracts visitors from far and wide. The extension of the polo belt from Sotogrande to Jimena and San Pablo has also brought new prosperity to the area as will the proposed new Golf Course under construction at San Pablo de Buceite.

To view property for sale in Jimena de la Frontera click here...

 

Author - The Property Shop International - Below market value Spanish Property
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