Market gardens, citrus groves and subtropical fruit plantations blend with the ever-increasing numbers of new-style housing developments that are constantly going up in this area. Its proximity to the capital of Málaga and to Torremolinos has resulted in many residents of those two localities choosing Alhaurín de la Torre as the place for a second home or as a mere commuter suburb due to its good connections to the coast. Despite the great increase in population and development, Alhaurín de la Torre has managed to retain its identity and traditions, and preserves secluded nooks of great charm and distinctive character.
Considering the undoubted Phoenician presence in Alhaurín el Grande and at the mouth of the River Guadalhorce, places very close to Alhaurín de la Torre, it seems more than probable that this place has a Phoenician origin. The Turdetans also must have passed through here and like the Phoenicians would have worked the silver and gold mines that existed in Alhaurín el Grande.
In the Roman era it received the name of Lauro Vetus, and it must have been a place of some importance since it is mentioned in more than one chronicle from those times. Some historians believe that it was in this area that the followers of Julius Caesar slew Cnaeus Pompey after the battle of Munda.
The Arabs later settled in this area and called it Alhaurein or Albarracín. After they were conquered by Christian troops in 1485 it received its final name of Alhaurín, to which “de la Torre” was added simply to distinguish it from Alhaurín el Grande.
From any point on the coast, all you need do is take the old N-340 expressway and exit onto the A-366 in the direction of Coín. If you are coming from the city of Málaga or the eastern Costa del Sol, the aforementioned exit is located immediately past the airport. If you want to come to Alhaurín de la Torre from the western Costa del Sol, the exit is four kilometres from Torremolinos. |
