Today we are really on the frontier!  We are in the middle of nowhere, on a large outcrop of limestone rock along the Guadalete River. Over the years, the Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and Spanish, selected this spot to keep an eye on things! From the village round-about we rode a small electric train up the narrow maze of streets to reach the top and San Pedro Church. What do you think of this view?

The Guadalete River circles three side of Arcos de la Frontera!

Looking down at the river we can also see groves of orange and olive trees………

Arcos de la Frontera is one of the best known and remote “White Villages” of Andalusia, Spain.  The Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) are  small, quiet hilltop towns distinguished by their simple whitewashed houses influenced by the Berber architecture of North Africa, the Moors’ native land. The narrow streets are like a rabbit’s warren! You can see how close we are to the walls while riding on the train!

Walking along the route at the top, many homes displayed paintings for sale!

These are some doors inside San Pedro Church…….

This is the other large church in town, Basilica Menor de Santa Maria. The two churches have been rivals for attention for many centuries…… for their feud see yesterday’s post HERE.

For lunch we stopped at the Paradores Hotel, the best place to eat and get a view with a feel for the village!

You may sit inside or out………….

or stay in the hotel which has superb views!

These were the colorful tables outside!

Rather than take the train back down we chose to walk down a different street to go back to the parking lot.

We ended up on the larger street……….

With different doors along the way……..

And by the time we reached the bottom another drink was needed! Hmmmmm here…….

or here……….

I hope you have enjoyed our walk today in one of the outpost “White Villages” of Spain! I would love to come here for their big Easter festival!  There is a group of six cloistered nuns, who make cookies. There is a little door in the wall, where you place your money, and then you ring the bell and they turn the turnstile and place your cookie order on it. In the old days before the cookie making, they mended clothes, but no mens’ pants!  I couldn’t find that door in the amount of time we had, but it is a good reason to come back!   See you next week!

This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0!   Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?