{{Infobox settlement | official_name = Ojén | settlement_type = | image_skyline = Ojen.jpg | image_caption = | image_flag = | image_shield = [[file:Escudo_de_Ojén.svg|70px]] | nickname = | pushpin_map = Spain | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Spain. | coordinates = {{Coord|36|34|N|4|51|W|region:ES_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title,inline}} | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] | subdivision_name = {{flag|Spain}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Autonomous communities in Spain|Autonomous community]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Andalusia}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Provinces of Spain|Province]] | subdivision_name2 = [[File:Flag Málaga Province.svg|23px]] [[Province of Málaga|Málaga]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | leader_title = | leader_name = | area_total_km2 = 85.92 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | elevation_m = 309 | population_as_of = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} | population_footnotes = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} | population_total = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_total}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]] | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] | utc_offset_DST = +2 | website = | footnotes = }} '''Ojén''' (population 5.045) is a town and municipality that sits in the mountains behind [[Marbella]] in the [[autonomous community]] of [[Andalusia]] in southern [[Spain]]. Nearby cities include [[Mijas]] to the east, [[Marbella]] to the south, [[Istán]] to the west, and [[Monda]] and [[Coín]] to the north.
==Description== Its name is oddly derived from an Arabic word, hoxán, meaning "rough" or "bitter" place, thus it is curious that the Moors should establish a settlement in a place they presumably did not care for. In common with other inland villages such as [[Istán]], Ojén was spared the Christians' embargo on the [[Moors]] living too close to the sea after the [[Reconquista|Reconquest]].
The town is situated beside the Almadán stream above the valley of the River Real at an altitude of approximately 200 metres, hemmed in by the [[Sierra Blanca (Andalusia)|Sierra Blanca]] and the [[Sierra Alpujata]]. These may provide a clue to the Moors' determination to stay in spite of their apparent antipathy, for both ranges of mountains have long been known as rich sources of [[talc]], [[nickel]], [[iron]] and [[lead]]. This mineral wealth put the area in the forefront of the Spanish industrial revolution of the 19th century.
Close by, in the [[Serranía de Ronda]], is the [[Refugio de Juanar]]. Originally the private hunting lodge of the wealthy [[Larios]] family, and a favoured retreat of [[King Alfonso XIII]], this is now a hotel popular with tourists and hunters. The Serranía is still very much a hunting reserve where [[ibex]], [[wild cats|wildcats]] and [[eagle]]s abound. It is also a favourite with ramblers and hikers who come for the mountain air and the panoramic views of Marbella and the coast 1000 metres below.
==Ojen liqueur== Ojén is famous for the production of ''[[Aguardiente de Ojén]]'' ([[:es:Aguardiente de Ojén|es]]), or simply "ojen" ("OH-hen") as it is known in English, an [[anise liqueur]] that once played a major part in the town's economy. This liqueur, nowadays locally produced by the distillery company Dominique Mertens Impex. S.L.,<ref>''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141129124723/http://www.aguardienteojen.com/ Dominique Mertens Impex. S.L., Ojén, aguardiente superior]}}'', official website, in Spanish</ref> gained widespread fame abroad and is very popular in the city of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], especially during the [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras]] festivities.<ref>[http://www.neworleansbar.org/uploads/files/OjenUpdate.3-2.pdf ''New Orleans Nostalgia'', "Banana Republics and ''Ojen'' Cocktails", Ned Hémard, 2007]</ref>
==See also== * [[La Mairena]] is a green enclave, part of the village of Ojén * [[List of municipalities in Málaga]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://filledelaville.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/ojen/ A Brief History of Ojen] Discussion of the Ojen liqueur and its history and popularity in New Orleans, Louisiana
{{Municipalities in Málaga}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ojen}} [[Category:Municipalities in the Province of Málaga]]