Pujerra

Pujerra is a Spanish municipality in the province of Malaga, Spain. It is located east of the province of Genal Valley, one of the stocks that make up the region of the Serrania de Ronda. It is situated 117km from Malaga and 652km from Madrid.

In 2006 it had a population of 316 inhabitants and in 2000 it had 304. The local festivals are held during the month of June in honor of the town’s patron Saint Anthony of Padua. Legend has it that the Gothic king Wamba lived in a nearby village of Pujerra, (Cenay).

Little is known about the history of Pujerra in the pre-Islamic era. The oldest remains were found in the town 1,500 years ago, in the second century AD. This was a late Roman bricks called “bracaris” containing inscriptions with Christian symbolism, which has led some historians to think that in Roman times there was a settlement here.

Middle Ages

There is also the legend in the town of King Wamba, that the Visigoth King was born and lived in Pujerra, where they came to fetch him to anoint him as King. However, the origin of Pujerra is from the Islamic period, when there were many people in the Valley of Genal. Surrounding areas of Pujerra include: Bentomi; Cenay and Moclon, which disappeared during the sixteenth century. Also, the urban structure of Pujerra, formed by narrow, winding streets, is evidenced by its Moorish origin.

Modern Age

After the conquest of Ronda and Serrania, and after the expulsion of the Moors in 1501, the Muslim population decreased and was repopulated by Old Christians. During the modern age, the village was Crown land and belonged to the city of Ronda.

In the eighteenth century, the population acquired a certain importance because of the exploitation of mineral deposits and the many industries located on the banks of the river Genal included brandy factories, flour mills and oil. The emerging economy of the time resembled two street facades of the station, which retain the typical decoration of the time, framing its doors.

Because of their heroic participation in the fight against the French during the War of Independence, Pujerra became an independent municipality in 1814 by King Fernando VII. Napoleon conquered the whole of Spain, but could not enter the land of chestnuts.
In the nineteenth century, Pujerra was an important passageway in communication between Ronda, the Sierra and the Costa del Sol. In 1820 it belonged to the judicial district of Estepona. Pujerra dates from 1854 when it had 675 inhabitants.

Its current population is 300 inhabitants, and it has good connections by road to Ronda and the Costa del Sol.
Monuments

Holy Spirit Church
Ermita de San Antonio
Wamba Bust