The town of  Castillo de Locubín is located in the centre of the Sierra Sur and is surrounded by mountain peaks, some of which rise to 1000m above sea level. Most of the land around the town is cultivated with olive orchards, though Castillo is famed for its cherries and the annual Cherry Festival which takes place each year on the third Sunday in June.

Castillo de Locubín has an interesting history. It was already an important settlement by the first century AD when the Romans invaded Spain. After the Moors of North Africa conquered Andalucia in the 8th century, the town was renamed  Hins al-Uqbin, from which the present day ‘Locubín’ was derived. There is some argument about the meaning of the name, which has been translated from Arabic variously as ‘Castle of the Eagles’ or ‘Castle of the Caves’.

Because of Castillo’s position on the border between Moorish and Castilian Spain, it was often fought over and changed hands many times until the Catholic kings finally ousted the Moors at the end of the 14th century.

Present day Castillo de Locubín is a tranquil and pleasant town. Take a stroll through the streets to see some of the old stately homes which are still preserved today. Visit la Iglesia Parroquial San Pedro Apostol (the church of Saint Peter the Apostle)  as well as the various hermitages dotted around the town. Castillo Villeta, the mediaeval castle which sits above the town, is well worth a visit.