The present-day village
dates back to the 8th century, Alpandeire being one of the first
towns fortified by the Moslems in the Serrania de Ronda region.
The layout of its streets still reflects the influence of Andalusi-Arabic
culture, and particularly impressive for the visitor is the large
nave of St. Anthony of Padua Church, which dates back to the 18th
century.
Stories of highwaymen, usually a combination of reality and legend,
are still commonly told in the AREA in the first half of the 19th
century at the head of a band of a dozen outlaws.
Alpandeire has become a meeting and pilgrimage point for many people
wishing to visit the birthplace of Brother Leopold of Alpandeire
(1864-1956), a Capuchin almoner renowned in Andalusia, whose beatification
has been in progress since 1961.
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