The white village of Zahara de la Sierra is one of the most stunning images in the Province of Cadiz. As you drive on the A382 road, which links Arcos de la Frontera with Antequera, or the A376 from Seville to Ronda you see a castle built high on a rocky mountain peak and scattered below it are the whitewashed houses of Zahara de la Sierra, which lead down to a man made lake at the foot.
Zahara was once described by Richard Ford, the romantic British traveller, as a "Moorish eagle's nest". In fact, the town dates back to Moorish times. The inhabitants lived in constant danger as Muslims and Christians fought over ownership. In 1407 the Christians were in control, thanks to the conquest of Don Fernándo. In the 18th century the Duke of Arcos had a stately home in Zahara, giving great importance to the area.