Castaño Santo

Located in the district of Istán, the Castaño Santo or Holy Chestnut is an ancient tree estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old. Listed as a Unique Tree in the province of Malaga by the Regional Government of Andalusia, it is almost five metres in diameter, a perimeter of thirteen metres and a height of approximately 30 metres.

It is located in the area known as Hoyo del Bote, in the Sierra de Istán, and stands on ground consisting of peridotite rock. It presides over a habitat with an abundance of holm oaks, cork trees and Mediterranean carob trees and the wildlife in the surrounding area features wild boar, the Spanish Ibex goat, golden eagle and red partridge.

Legend has it that the mountains over which this ancient tree presides are strewn with great deeds which have occurred throughout its history. Special mention should go to the “Rebellion of Sierra Bermeja”, at the dawn of the 16th century, whose most representative witness would have been this tree, the Castaño Santo, or Holy Chestnut under whose branches King Ferdinand the Catholic held a mass of thanksgiving, somewhere around 1501.

Other information

To reach the Castaño Santo you should take the Istán- Castaño Santo Cycle Route from Istán, or the route that leaves San Pedro Alcántara and goes around the Club de Golf La Quinta. Following this route, take the road that goes from San Pedro to Ronda until you reach the Club de Golf La Villa. Go right round the Club Golf until you reach a bridge where it crosses the river but don't cross the bridge, instead this is the point where you should take the track leading to the left.