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. |
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The Phoenicians exploited the area. This castle was blown up by the French in 1812; the parish church was later built on its foundations.
Remains of other Moslem fortresses also exist in the municipal AREA, such as those of Jurique, Faala, Mentage and Rabaquel.
In 1487, the village was conquered by King Ferdinand, following bloody assaults on Coin, the fire and massacre of Benamaguez (Casapalma) and the capture of Cartama, its habitants fleeing to Marbella; its land and castles were shared out among the Christian settlers, though a further redistribution was undertaken in 1492.
Alhaurin el Grande, which belonged to the Crown, was dependent on the jurisdiction of the city of Malaga.
In 1634, its inhabitants bought this jurisdiction along with independent village status for the sum of 4,459,916 silver maravedíes. King Ferdinand VI revoked this autonomy and placed the village under the jurisdiction of first Coin, then the Crown itself, adding the Fleur de Lys of the House of Borbon to its coat of arms. This coat of arms also features the Golden Fleece awarded to the village by Charles V for its loyalty during the Regional Wars.
Our Lady's Parish Church (Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación), 18th century.
Christ Chapel (Ermita del Cristo de la Agonía), 18th century.
St. Sebastian's Chapel (Ermita de San Sebastián), 17th century.
Vera Cruz Chapel (Ermita de la Vera Cruz).
Town Hall (Casa Consistorial), formerly St. Catherine's Convent-Hospital.
Arabic Fortress (Fortaleza árabe de Fahala), archaeological remains.
Urique Watchtower (Torre vigía).
Roman remains at la Fuente del Sol.
Fuente de los Doce Caños or Fuente Lucena fountain.
Los Corchos Moslem Mill (Molino morisco).
Chacinas (cured pork sausages). Mojete (a type of sauce). Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup). Sopa de puchero (chick pea and meat broth). Gachas cachorreñas (a type of soup made from tomato, peppers, garlic, fish and oil). Sopa de Caldo por encima (a soup made from potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, saffron, salt and oil). Migas (fried breadcrumbs with morsels of meat). .
Typical sweets: Turnovers, Polcas, oil buns, macaroons, ring-shaped cakes made with eggs.
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