Archez, Salares, Sedella, Canillas de Albaida, Canillas de Aceituno, Competa, all villages which stand at the foot of the impressive Tejeda and Almijara Sierras; all morisco (Moorish convert to Christianity) villages, where vines were the main crop and are still an important element in the landscape as well as the economy; all display similar characteristics, reflecting the true essence of the Axarquia region, its scenery, its way of life and its history.
Alora enjoys a privileged location in the Guadalhorce Valley, which it overlooks from the north, standing atop a small hill. As well as its vegetable gardens, orchards and citrus trees, it also boasts interesting areas nearby, such as Los Gaitanes Pass (which it shares with Ardales and Antequera), the Sierra de Huma and the Sierra de Aguas.
Situated at the foot of the northern face of the Sierra de Mijas, looking out over the spectacular Guadalhorce Valley, its territory is made up of citrus and other fruit trees and vegetable gardens.
Neolithic, Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Arabic settlers have all left their mark on the area. Today, Alhaurin el Grande is a prosperous village whose most interesting monuments are Our Lady’s Church, the Town Hall and Montellano Palace. Also worthy of mention is Los Corchos Mill, which is still in excellent condition and works exactly as it did in Moslem times.
History
The Phoenicians exploited the AREA’s silver and lead mines.
Algatocin, on the road which links Ronda with the Campo de Gibraltar region, has always managed to attract the traveller’s attention: its peculiar urban layout, inherited from the Berber tribes who founded the village, is stepped to accommodate the steep terrain on which it is built, the white mass of its buildings contrasting with the green of chestnut trees, holm oaks and gall oaks. As an unmistakeable sign of identity, Our Lady’s Parish Church towers above the whitewashed village, crowned by a shining blue mosaic.
History
A village located in a fertile plain between mountains on the old road to Granada via Los Alhazores Pass.
Its architecture and appearance, of Arabic origin, still retain curious picturesque details which are well worth viewing, such as the Old Alfarnate Inn (now a restaurant-museum), which was visited by illustrious figures such as Alfonso XIII as well as other more infamous characters such as Jose Maria Hinojosa “el Tempranillo” and Luis Candelas.
Other buildings of interest are St. Anne’s Church and the Town Hall.
Situated between countryside and mountains, the town, which features scenery typical of both, is crossed by two rivers, the Guadalete and the Majaceite. The former supplies the Bornos and Arcos reservoirs, both of which have been declared Natural Beauty Spots as fine examples of wet zones
Part of the town also falls within the boundary of Los Alcornocales Natural Park.
Cabo de Gata natural park.
