In the southern Andalusian hills is the beautiful village of El Acebuchal. It is not much different from the other villages in the area, except for one thing: it was once abandoned and ruined. And this is its story.
The village, which has its roots in ancient Iberian times, is located on the old Roman road connecting the coast with the city of Granada. El Ecebuchal got its name from an old variety of the European olive tree (El acebuche -Olea europaea 'Montra', dwarf olive, or little olive).
The inhabitants have lived here for generations in harmony with nature, cultivating their grain fields and herds of goats, gathering almonds, figs and carobs, and producing raisins, lime and charcoal. Acebuchal was also a place where traders and travellers rested before continuing their journey over the mountains or before descending to the coast.
Many people lived here happily with their families until the dramatic events of the 1940s, the time of the Spanish Civil War.
Forcible resettlement and abandonment of the village
The mountain villages of Andalusia have always been one of the most difficult areas for the central government to control due to their remoteness and inaccessibility, as shown by several revolts of the Moorish population during the Spanish Reconquista and later the Spanish Civil War, when rebellious citizens, refugees, political opponents and "maquis" (people of the mountains) took refuge there.
After many encounters with the forces of the central power of the fascist regime of General Franco, the entire population of the village was forcibly displaced, many houses were demolished and the village was left completely abandoned.
Some people found refuge with relatives in nearby villages, some of the population emigrated, and the name of El Acebuchal fell into oblivion.
The history and memories of whole generations, their work and hopes were slowly crumbling in time.
We can still find abandoned "cortijos" (farms) built from local materials, by hand without the use of machines, which are still standing as witnesses of the old times and human destinies.
Their abandoned houses are a beautiful example of the rural architecture of Andalusia in the first half of the last century.
The walls were built of stone and clay, wood was mostly used local oak (pine trees were planted in the area later), the homesteads had a very rural look, as their rooms were built according to the needs or the number of domestic animals.
As you can see, these people lived in complete harmony with nature, using local resources, and the farms were largely self-sufficient.
Years have passed, but not everyone has forgotten. As soon as conditions permitted, some people longed to return to the village of their youth.
The rebuilding of the village and its current appearance
A few people had tried to save their old family homes before, but the first organized effort to rebuild the village came from the family of García Sánchez and the descendants of other evicted residents who moved to the nearby village of Cómpeta.
In 1998 the first house in the village of El Acebuchal was renovated and others soon followed.
In 2003, electricity was introduced to the village and further renovations were carried out.
In 2005, the streets of the village were reconstructed and the restaurant El Acebucal was opened, offering traditional dishes as well as European and Mediterranean cuisine.
On 25 June 2005, the first mass after 50 years was celebrated in the village of El Acebuchal.
Today, almost all the houses have been renovated to show their deserved glory. There is also a very popular restaurant in the village and several houses are rented as tourist accommodation.
People live here again and take care of the surrounding fields and gardens. The village has become a popular destination for trips to the surrounding hills and for moments of relaxation.
The village of el acebucal is proof that the longing for human roots and for the places where ancestors have lived for generations is stronger than political and economical turbulences.
If you are ever in the area of la Axarquia in Andalucía, be sure to visit the restored village of El Acebuchal, it is worth a visit.
Have a great time
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