They began “capturing” tourists two years ago in the mountains of Cádiz and today, after appearing on television worldwide, the company “Bandoleros Tours” is taking their show to one of the most famous country houses in the province of Cádiz: the Hacienda El Rosalejo in Villamartín, the favourite residence of the Duke and Duchess of Ahumada.

History reunites dukes and highwaymen once again, for it was precisely the Duke of Ahumada who, at the request of King Fernando VII, met José María el Tempranillo and persuaded him to abandon his life as a Highwayman and become the captain of the “Migueletes” who policed rural areas before the creation of the “Guardia Civil” (Civil Guards).

At the Hacienda El Rosalejo, Bandoleras Tours is back to its old ways, capturing tourists at various places in the Sierra de Cádiz. Tourists from Germany, England, Italy, France and Hungary let themselves be seduced by their captors from Bandoleros Tours. And The New York Times, The Washington Post and Radio Caracol in Columbia have all reported these kidnappings.

The captors take their willing victims to the cellars of the country estate to enjoy Flamenco music in a country estate that was founded by Agustín de Ahumada, a former viceroy of Mexico, who built and decorated the residence in a colonial style from the Americas. It is a place in which to enjoy the pleasures of life but also to remember the tragedy of war.

It was in what are now the cellars of El Rosalejo that Napoleon’s troops imprisoned all the “Migueletes” of the area and burned then alive, almost burning the building down in the process. However, once reconstructed, it became the favourite residence of the Duke and Duchess of Ahumada.

Romantic Andalusia

Today “El Pellejero”, a distant descendant of those smugglers and romantic bandits lies in wait once again for unsuspecting travellers who will experience adventures in this historical building and its surrounding area that they will never forget as the romanticism of 19th century Andalusia is faithfully recreated. Amongst other surprises and excitement, the captives can hear original flamenco songs accompanied by guitars as well as watch authentic dancing.

These tours are very popular. Next month, for example, Juan Luis Moreno, Director of Bandolero Tours, will have the difficult task of holding 1500 victims captive, the biggest operation to date for a company which is used to managing groups of all sizes.

The kidnappings begin at 11.30am and the festivities finish after 5pm. Besides the show, in which the travellers become the main characters, this gathering in the company of smugglers and bandits includes a ride in a horse and carriage and typical regional country food of the epoque cooked slowly on open fires.

Bandoleros Tours, also adapts their performances for organised groups as well as undertaking kidnappings “to order” in the Sierra de Cádiz as well as in other appropriate locations.
The “bandoleros” also perform every Wednesday from March to October in the “plaza de Toros” (Bullring) in Ubrique.

A most original tourist venture

The Kidna