To reach Alfarnatejo through the road which crosses the river Sabar gorge, is to enter a telluric landscape of sierra, broken into stony blocks which stopped rolling down the sides of the Gallo-Vilo; it is approaching the eagles domain in the steep cliffs of Doña Ana and Alto del Fraile.
On exiting the gorge, the small depression which stretches before the town is a resting place for the traveller, although the mountain is still present. On the other side of the depression, the Sierra de Camarolos with its Chamizo Peak (1.637 m.), closes the horizon towards the Antequera region while the Rey sierra, outside the municipal boundary, does the same with views towards the south in a beautiful scenery.
The proximity of Alfarnatejo's lands to the natural passway which communicates the province of Málaga with Granada via the neighbouring Alfarnate, as well as the abrupt relief which surround them, makes one think that long ago, man found a way in these lands as well as shelter. The archaeological remains which were found in the gorge of the river Sabar, situate this spot in the neolithic period. During the Muslim rule, the summits of the Alto del Fraile could
have been ideal lookouts, as it seems that there used to be a fort which today is known as the Sabar Castle. Some historians place Alfarnatejo’s origins in a farmstead of the Muslim era which originated from this castle. Either way, it is written that Alfarnatejo was always tied to the neighbouring town of Alfarnate, separating from it in the 18th century.
Places to visit
There are the ruins of a Muslim castle near the town. It is situated on the side of the sierra at almost 900 metres altitude. The most notable building is the parish church of Santo Cristo de Cabrilla, built on the highest part of the town in the 18th century and rebuilt in 1977. It is a rectangular building split into two by arches with a square, brick, and masonry tower.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
In February is the Candlemas and Easter, as in many other towns in Andalusia and Malaga, the charivari is a real tradition on the Saturday of resurrection or glory when on the sound of the bells, the young men run through the town’s streets ringing cowbells. In San Marcos they celebrate field day with baking and on San Isidro is the pilgrimage. On September the 29th are the patron saint's festivities of Cristo de Cabrilla.
