to oil exploitation in the surrounding areas of the
Manilva River, during a time when the neighbouring
city of Lacipo was a main settlement.
During medieval times it was used as an eleva-
ted refuge during the revolt of Omar ben Hafsun, be-
tween the 9th and 10th centuries.
Declaration for areas of Cultural Interest and
Heritage, and the protection of archaeological
sites
In 2013 the Platform for the Protection of the Sie-
rra de la Utrera was created, composed of groups,
associations and municipal entities, with the objecti-
ve of conserving this natural space. Then in February
2014 the Andalusian Parliament approved by abso-
lute majority, the Dossier for the Protection of the
Sierra de la Utrera, with a primary focus on heritage
areas and places of cultural interest.
Another important boost for the investigation
and protection of the Sierra took place in April 2015,
when the General Directorate of Fine Arts and Cultu-
ral Property – General Sub-directorate for the Protec-
tion of Historical Heritage of the Ministry of Culture,
decided to register the underground system of the
Hediondas, Sima Hedionda 4 and Sima Hedionda 2;
in the General Registry of Places of Cultural Interest.
At the same time, the Territorial Delegation of
Malaga for the Junta de Andalucía’s Ministry of Cul-
ture, proceeded to add the Sima Hedionda 4 (Well
of the Albarrá), which belongs to the underground
system of the Hediondas, to the General Catalogue
of Andalusian Historical Heritage.
Currently, the necessary procedures and the draf-
ting of regulations are being carried out together
with the Ministry of Culture of the Junta de Anda-
lucía to complete the declaration for the protection
and conservation of the Sierra; which is expected to
be finalised by Autumn 2019.
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