ANDALUCIA TOURISM NEWS – SEPTEMBER 11 2002

LOS MOZOS FIESTA IN RUS
The small locality of Rus, inland in the province of Jaén, celebrates one of its most popular and eagerly awaited fiestas of the year on September 22. It's the fiesta of the Mozos, a celebration which combines fun with religious tradition and which has as its origin an outbreak of the bubonic plague which devastated the village and caused the death of the majority of the youngsters in this Jaén province locality. Tradition says that to combat the epidemic the locals took out the statue of the Santísimo Sacramento in procession and, as a consequence of this, those ill began to recover. To commemorate the event, every last Sunday in September the Santisismo is taken in procession as if it was the day of Corpus Christi and, at the same time a carnival is held. This is a really unusual event for this time of the year, which remembers the masks under which the mozos or youths hid their faces so that death could not recognise them and they could escape his grasp.

SAN MIGUEL FERIA AND ROMERIA 2002
The locality of Torremolinos on the Málaga Costa del Sol becomes a town full of joy and fun for the last few days of September with the celebration of the San Miguel Romeria pilgrimage and Fair. Saturday 21 sees the fair's opening speech at 11pm and the next day the San Miguel pilgrimage is held where the decorated carts are pulled by oxen and joined by horse riders and many in local costume to make this pilgrimage one of the most important in Andalucía. The route leaves from the Avenida de Los Manatiales, and passes through the centre of Torremolinos to arrive at the saint's shrine where a mass is held in his honour. Music, song and dance and colour continue all day and indeed until September 29 with the celebration of the fair. Ideal dates to visit this town on the Costa del Sol to enjoy a few days when fun is assured.

NUDIST VILLAGE IN VERA
The Almeria province coastline is one of the areas of Andalucía where nudism is most common. One of the localities in the area, Vera, will have the first nudist village on the Spanish coast, which will consolidate it as one of the most attractive places to visit for this type of tourism. A housing estates which will have more than 1000 homes and which will offer all types of services from a cash dispenser to commercial areas and which will allow the practice of nudism 24 hours a day. It will be the first village with these characteristics in Spain, given that until now only hotels, camp sites and nudist apartments exist - but no housing estates. The project which will be sited in Vera, will allow the thousands of lovers of nudism to take their clothes off and at the same time carry out their usual day to day activities, whatever the hour.

SANTA CATALINA CASTLE, CÁDIZ
The historic Santa Catalina Castle in Cádiz, built in the 16th and 17th centuries next to the La Caleta beach to defend the city from naval attacks, has opened its doors to the public for the first time since the Ministry for Defence handed it over to the city eight years ago. The castle has been subject to renovation work which has cost more than 3 million €. The interior buildings will be given over to the La Caleta Information Centre, a museum which explains the naval attacks which the city has suffered in its history, together with an exhibition hall. The ground floor still needs renovation work, including the dungeons and the gunpowder stores which will open next year. It was King Felipe the second who ordered the construction of the Santa Catalina Castle after Cádiz was assaulted by a fleet which plundered the city. In the 18th century it was Carlos the third who converted it into a military prison.

PICASSO EXHIBITION
Málaga locals and visitors alike can contemplate the exhibition 'Picasso, friends and Spanish masters' in the Bishop's Palace in Málaga. The painting genius is present in this selection of works, together with other painters, sculptors and poets which who the Málaga artist had relation during his lifetime. We can see as many as 12 works from Picasso, some as well known as the oil 'Hombre desnudo de espaldas', together with works from Dalí, Juan Gris and even his sister María Dolores. The works come from more than 20 art centres, museums and private institutions from all the corners of Spain which had marked Picasso's life – such as La Coruña, Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid. In total 112 works which will remain on display until September 29, seven days a week from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm.

CARMEN OF THE ALHAMBRA
The management of the Alhambra in Granada has acquired the Carmen de los Catalanes – the largest private gardened villa in the area of the monument – a space of 20,000 square metres where archaeological remains related to the military defence of the monument can be found. The site will be incorporated into the management of the Alhambra with the idea being to increase the protection of the monument and its exterior setting. There are two Nasrid towers in the Carmen de los Catalanes, a hydraulic network form the same time and evacuated basements for the holding of prisoners. The archaeological remains which exist in the area are found practically intact and will serve to better know the function and use of the areas close to the palatial city. This Carmen which has cost the Junta de Andalucía 9 million € will offer visitors a unique vision of the Alhambra, but will not be open to the public for another two or three years.

EL BORGE RAISIN FIESTA 2002
One of the most typical products of the district of the Axarquía, in Málaga province, is the raisin, known locally for their high quality. On September 22 everyone who wants to enjoy them will have the chance in the Raisin Fiesta which is held in the locality of El Borge. More than 10,000 bags of grape raisins will be handed out to the visitors. While there we must also try the exquisite muscatel local wine, together with other products from this small village inland in Málaga province. A day to enjoy one of the most well known products from El Borge which this year celebrates its Raisin Fiesta for the seventh consecutive time. The village square will also be the scene for performances of the local verdiales dancing, rocieros choirs and flamenco to animate the party which will, no doubt leave us with a good taste in the mouth.

JAÉN OLIVE OIL PROMOTION
The province of Jaén is well known, among other things, for being the largest producer of Olive Oil in the world. An oil which is among the highest quality to be found. The provincial government are going to promote the qualities of this product in the events that are going to be held in forthcoming months both nationally and internationally. Jaén will therefore be on show at the 4th World Gastronomy Congress which will be held in Seville between September 14-22 and at fairs and markets dedicated to tourism, such as Expotural, Tierra Adentro and the World Travel Market. For their part the promoters of the idea of establishing an office Olive Oil producing area called Jaén Sierra Sur are hoping for the definitive approval of the new name which will unite the sector across seven municipalities in the province, such as Alcalá La Real, Alcaudete or Frailes, which have the widest variety of Olive types.