During the Stone Age, these hills were already peopled – stone axes and tools are scattered in the forests now converted to olive groves. It was a place of abundant water and caves for shelter and defence. The Cerro was a vantage point for primitive tribes...for Romans, Visigoths and Almohads; remains of tools, buildings and burials have been found here. The brow of the hill was probably the sentry point to view down to the confluence of the rivers Genil and Pesquera, now the start of Iznajar’s dam.
Travellers from Malaga to Madrid via Loja, Algarinejo and Priego walked past this point, rested their mules and took on provisions at Puerto Blanquillo (White Hill Pass), probably at El Cerro which was once an inn.
In the 1800s the farm was owned by the Excelentísimo Señor Conde del Castillo del Tajo, it consisted of monte (Mediterranean forest), tierra de calma (arable land), a house with roof tiles, a circular threshing field and some olives. He sold it to the uncle of Miguel grandfather on 6 July 1859 (valued at 10,000 pesetas, 60 euros!). Miguel´s grandfather received the farm as a legacy from his uncle in 1910. Ask Miguel the story behind the gift, it´s a story of kindness and generosity...
This view was taken in the 90s and shows the building as it was: notice that in front and behind there are no olives, just wheat fields. The olives around the house were planted later.
The passing of time and particularly a few years empty led to the gradual deterioration of the building … but due to our appreciation of its history, the beauty of its position and surroundings we decided to refurbish and modernise it. The works were completed in 2003.
Since then, hundreds of people from many countries have stayed at El Cerro.
All these goups of families or friends have voiced the enjoyment of their holidays, the house, its surroundings and their visits further afield.