The market where you can make a cheese board to your liking

There will be plenty to choose from, and everyone can do so to their liking. Both this Saturday and Sunday, lovers of artisan dairy products have an appointment at the Álora Cheese Market, where they can succumb to the temptation of tasting high-quality products made in any of the eight Andalusian provinces.

Jaén, Sevilla, Córdoba, and, of course, Málaga are some of the provinces that will be represented at this event, which will take place around the viewpoint of Casas Nuevas and the Plaza de la Legión Española.

Although this event has changed dates in recent years, it has become one of the most prestigious markets in Andalusia by bringing together artisan producers who have managed to preserve the most traditional cheeses and, at the same time, accommodate creations inspired by other regions or countries of the world or even unleash creativity.

In this edition, the cheese factories Llano El Jaral (Álora), El Arquillo (Campillos), Santa María del Cerro (Villanueva del Rosario), Sierra Sur (Ermita Nueva, Jaén), Fuente La Sierra (Pedroche, Córdoba), Plazuelo (Villaralto, Córdoba), Corsevilla (Cazalla de la Sierra, Sevilla), and Torrelariena (Guillena, Sevilla) will be represented.

All these producers will offer their usual variety, so there will be everything from soft paste cheeses to matured or aged cheeses made from goat and sheep milk of different native Andalusian breeds.

Although it is especially designed to be an occasion to stock up the pantry, there is also the opportunity to consume various dairy products on site. Thus, as in previous editions, visitors can customize their own cheese board among the many options. Although in the beginning it was possible to take up to eight different pieces for five euros, in this edition there will only be five for the same price.

Even so, it should be noted that in any case these are artisanal creations, where everything from the curing times to the breeding of the herds, which in many cases belong to the cheese companies themselves, is carefully managed. Like other agricultural sectors, production costs have skyrocketed in recent years.

But, in addition to eating or buying them (in addition to cheeses there are also other artisan products), at this Álora Cheese Market there will be several activities related to this sector. Thus, on Saturday, you can attend, with prior registration, workshops on cheese tasting or artisan cheese making. Both that day and Sunday, as in previous years, the little ones will also have the opportunity to bottle-feed the kid goats present. Other activities planned for the first of the two days include a pastry contest with cheeses (registration required) or guided tours of Álora's significant historical heritage.

It is worth remembering that this municipality in the Valle del Guadalhorce boasts historical sites of interest such as the castle located on top of the Cerro de las Dos Torres or the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, considered one of the largest in the province of Málaga.

Other places of interest include the chapels of Vera Cruz (relatively close to the venue of this market) and Santa Brígida (in the Estación neighborhood), both built in the 16th century.

Another important building is the old convent of Nuestra Señora de Flores, located two kilometers from the urban center. It is a 16th-century building that houses the image of the Virgin of Flores, the patron saint of the town.

Álora's heritage is complemented by the Rafael Leria Museum, where you can take a tour through the last centuries of the municipality, both from a historical and ethnographic point of view.

Castle

Fortress. Crowning the Cerro de las Dos Torres, this walled enclosure is today one of the emblems of the Valle del Guadalhorce. Inside, important Andalusian elements stand out, such as the Torre de la Vela or a unique horseshoe arch in the West. Where: Cerro de las Dos Torres.

Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación

Parish. It is the main religious building in the town. It is currently considered one of the largest temples in the entire province of Málaga. Where: In Plaza Baja de la 'Despedía'.

Rafael Lería Museum

Collection. Located next to the church, this building houses an interesting exhibition of archaeology and ethnography of the municipality of Álora. Where: In Plaza Baja de la 'Despedía'.

Convent of the Flowers

Sanctuary. This religious-origin building is located two kilometers from the urban center, in a location with spectacular views. Where: Access via the A-7078.

Church of Veracruz

Temple. Religious building, erected in the 16th century to commemorate the victory over rebellious Moors. Where: Calle Veracruz.

La Sede

Original. In the center of Álora, there are restaurants like this one, where there is a menu as varied as it is full of proposals that twist tradition. The suckling goat ingot, the salmon and avocado toasts, and the cod with confit pepper, or the shredded meat molletitos with mojo picón are some of these options. Lovers of classics also know that they can order from pork knuckle to Iberian secret or some chicharrones from Cádiz. From its terrace, there are beautiful views of the Sierra del Hacho de Álora.

Where: Calle La Parra, 4, 29500 Álora. Phone: 620 393 168.

La Taberna del Caminito

Variety. Its menu adapts to almost all tastes. From the most classic tapas to the most substantial dishes can be found on it or in the suggestions made daily. The Russian salad with egg, the Taberna-style potatoes bravas, the cachopo, the grilled pork ribs, the curry chicken or the oxtail flamenquín are some examples. They also offer a lot of variety in seafood and fried 'pescaíto', as well as homemade desserts.

Where: Parque de la Cancula. Calle Veracruz, s/n. 29500 Álora. Phone: 951 206 644.

Don Pero

Hotel. Located a step away from Plaza Baja de la 'Despedía', in the heart of the historic center of Álora, this tourist accommodation currently has a dozen double rooms. To these must be added an apartment with its own kitchen, which can be accessed directly from the outside, and a room fully adapted for people with physical disabilities.

Where: C/. Veracruz, 39, 29500 Álora. Phone: 952 730 530. www.hoteldonpero.com