Casarabonela is a village which has perfectly combined its Christian and Moorish past, conserving a large part of the original village, Casr-Bonaira. 
Its Moorish heritage can be seen in every corner of this marvellous village in its white façades, narrow streets and steep slopes.
A picture postcard village surrounded by cultivated terraces, where vegetable plots and fruit trees rise from the very bottom of the valley to the foot of the mountain peaks in search of water sources. But Casarabonela doesn’t stop there: at its heart, surrounded by olive groves and cereal crops, rises “La Robla” mountain to a height of 563m; covered in pines she looks out over her taller sister peaks and towards the countryside of Zalea in the heart of the Guadalhorce.
The district is physically contained within the Ronda region by the mountains “Alcaparaín” and “Prieta” and reaches as far as the River Turón. The richness of the flora and fauna together with the 
huge variety of landscapes has allowed its integration within the Natural Park of the “Sierra de Las Nieves”, an area declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 1995. The land loses height towards its central area, where olives and cereals grow in abundance; surrounding the village the efforts of Man to conquer the steep land and the soil are evident. We can see the heritage of the art of irrigation introduced by the Arabs as well as numerous springs and fountains which quench the thirst of the weary traveller on a hot Summer’s day.
Casarabonela, with its whitewashed houses and its street which snake up the hills, has conserved its Arab features and breathes the colours and flavours of Andalucian white villages in quiet squares, such as that of the Town Hall – a small building with high, cantilevered balconies, lanterns and pediment clock – and in houses, often possessing shrines giving observance to popular devotional icons.
Here you can enjoy the beautiful, mountainous surroundings such as “Sierra Prieta”, at the foot of which nestles the village. From the top of its ridge you can see one of the best views of the Guadalhorce Valley where water is one of the most symbolic features of the landscape. In fact, the area of Casarabonela is 
known for the quality and quantity of its water.
Casarabonela is a village rich in unique customs such as the Passion Play in Easter Week, or the celebration of the Crosses in May, or the Fair at the end of July in honour of the Apostle Santiago, while the best known religious celebration is The Rondeles. Every December 12th, at night, the villagers process a statue of the Holy Shepherdess through the streets to celebrate the olive harvest.
The procession of the statue is marked by the presence of fire as the “millers” set fire to the round, straw mats soaked in oil, known in this ritual as “rondeles”. This tradition seems to have its origin in the Reconquest; nowadays, as well as Christian religious fervour we see the inclusion of pagan elements such as fire. It is, without doubt, a celebration worth seeing.
Come and visit us!!
