A small village located in flat surroundings of wheat fields,
Marinaleda would be relatively unknown were it not for its political associations.
It is a main centre of the movement of a workers union known as the SOC, which is an organization that mixes
Andalucía's tradition of anarchy with pacifism and ecological ideals. The village itself consists of neat and
modern streets lined with well kept flower beds. The village square is named Plaza de Libertad and a banner
flying above the square is printed with the words Tierra de Libertad: Free Earth. The Casa de Cultura is a
workers club located on this square.
The mayor of the town, Sánchez Gordillo has given Marinaleda the reputation of being one of the most
politically extreme villages in Andalucia and the inhabitants of the village are represent a firm majority
of communist voters. The mayor's intriguing and radical policies have caught the public eye over the years
and the political activity is an integral part of the life of the villagers.
Marinaleda has a population of 2600 and is situated 27km to the northwest of Osuna and 20km south of the town of Écija.
