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Riogordo Holiday Accommodation
Riogordo a Villas & Apartments Book Direct With Owners
Riogordo is situated in the La Cueva River Valley, at an altitude of 400 metres. It is 39 kilometres from Malaga and 41 from Velez-Malaga. Despite the construction of more modern residential areas, the urban layout of Riogordo still conserves much of its original Moorish air. Characteristic are the many corners of the village with chapel-niches, which date back, in many cases, to the 16th century. These contain statues of the patron saint of Riogordo, the Virgin of Grace. The Parish Church of La Virgen de Gracia dates back to the 16th century, and contains the Chapel of the Virgen de los Dolores. Another interesting building in the village is the Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno, with a simple exterior, but containing an interesting side chapel and a fine painting. The history of settlement in the area goes back to the Phoenicians and the Romans, remains of which civilisations have been discovered in the Castle of Aute, later used by the Moors. After the Reconquest, Riogordo was repopulated by old settlers from Castile (16th century). In the 19th century, the proximity of Riogordo to the mountains made it an important epicentre of banditry.
The so-called "Cura de Riogordo" (the Priest of Riogordo) did not fight against only the bandoleros, but also against the occupying French troops at the beginning of the 19th century. The patron saints of Riogordo, the Virgin of Grace and Saint Jacinto, are honoured here on 15 May and 18 August respectively. However, the most renowned of its fiestas is the representation of the "Paso" during Holy Week. This is the dramatisation of the Passion on the part of local actors, attracting large audiences.
