Arcos de la Frontera is one of the many pueblos blancos that pepper Southern Spain. White Towns are specific to the northern part of the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga and are very heavily influenced architecturally by the Moors, who inhabited the area until the 13th century, when they were expelled by Alfonso the Wise of Castile.
The town’s name comes from this time: when the town was the gateway to the frontier of Spain’s 13th century battle with the Moors.
The reasons for whitewashing are varied. Some say that the alcaline whitewash kills disease and keeps sickness at bay. Others say that painting the buildings all the same colour gives a sense of social cohesiveness; in some towns it was even mandated that all buildings be whitewashed. One observation we made was that any Roman structures or churches were not whitewashed… I’m not sure why.
