Istan
A little more than twenty minutes from Marbella and
placed at the sides of "La Sierra Blanca",
we find this small town with a population of 1.350
inhabitants, declared "Reserva de la Biosfera"
by UNESCO. Istán is synonymous with spring:
springs that richly flow through the numerous fountains
which the town has. The natural spots that surround
the town are of striking beauty and it has amongst
its places, the source of the Molinos River; the natural
galleries of "El Peñón",
of "Azufaito" and of "Las Herrizas",
from which marvellous views of the hillsides that
surround Istan can be enjoyed; and the "Paseo
del Coto", in which it is possible to admire
the Mediterranean forest of holm- oak trees and kermes
oak trees sprinkled by renovated Moorish irrigation
ditches.
Location
Istán is situated some 16km to the west of
Marbella at the foot of the Sierra de las Nieves natural
park and at the north end of the Concepción
reservoir, which provides the main water supply for
most of the west of the coast. Access to the village
is from the Golden Mile or the A-7 km 177 exit.
The small mountain village, set in stunning scenery,
is famous for its pure spring water and has numerous
fountains. The architecture mainly consists of cubic,
flat-roofed houses reminiscent of Moroccan architecture.
The village has several small shops, two banks, a
small health centre and a primary school as well as
restaurants and rural hotels. The village is popular
with mountain bikers and walkers as there are several
hiking routes in the vicinity.
Few foreigners live in the village itself which remains
essentially Spanish, although the Cerros del Lago
and Sierra Blanca Country Club developments on the
way to Istán is very popular with foreign buyers.
History
The origins of this town date back to the middle of
the Fourteenth Century, when, after the capture of
the Castle of Arboto by the Christians, its defenders
fled fortifying themselves in the present location
of Istan.
Sights
The oldest and most important of its monuments is
the Parish Church, constructed in the Sixteenth Century
by order of Diego de Deza, Archbishop of Sevilla.
Other outstanding buildings are the cave, which houses
"La Casa de la Juventud", the public wash
house and the Arabic tower which, situated at the
highest point in town, formed part of the old fort.
Festivities
The town´s local holidays and festivities are
celebrated between the 26th and the 29th of September,
with the colourful procession in honour of San Miguel
on the 22nd. The local gastronomy is very varied and
very recommendable dishes are the goat basted in garlic,
tomato soup with prickly pears and corn soup.
Usefull Information
Local Holidays 25th April in honour of San Marcos
and 29th September in honour of san Miguel.
Distance from Malaga Airport 70km.
Town hall 952-869-603
Property
Little property is available in the village itself,
but the urbanisations situated on the way to Istán
are popular with foreign residents.
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