Alahurin de la Torre
At a distance of only 17 kilometres from the Málaga
capital and with a population of 25.000 inhabitants,
it is a town in which the more recently constructed
areas coexist in perfect harmony with the Arabic appearance
of narrows streetlets and white- washed houses of
the Barrio Viejo. Due its climate of mild winters
and warm summers, its agricultural production is significant,
especially the citric and, the sub- tropical fruits,
like the avocado pear and the custard apple.
The town relies heavily on the nearby quarry industry,
which, although provides a vital source of direct
and indirect income, provokes substantial noise and
dust pollution in the area. Most residents are in
favour of closing the quarries and in the last municipal
elections all political parties pledged to carry out
the closure. In January 2004, however after a prolonged
quarry strike an agreement was reached under which
the quarries are allowed to continue their activity
for several more decades.
Location
Alhaurín de la Torre is situated south-west
of Malaga and at the east end of the mijas Sierra
and is one of the nearest towns to the capital, making
it popular for commuter homes. The surrounding countryside
is attractive, mainly mountains and farmland. The
town is linear with the focal point being the town
hall in the centre. Where there are several attractive
traditional village streets.
History
The archaeological sites found in Alhaurín
are numerous, being the most relevant the ones found
in the station of "La Alquería",
classified as "Bien del Interés Cultural".
However, in order to learn about the origins of this
town, one has to go back to before the times of the
Romans, being the Phoenicians around 1.000 B.C. who
build factories in Málaga and Cártama,
and give it the name of Lauro. Centuries later, the
Roman settlers called it Lauro Vetus, the present
name is given to it by los Reyes Católicos
as a result of the reconquest of 1485.
Sights
As monuments of special interest, one can highlight
the Church of San Sebastián, built in 1505,
the arches of Zapata, ancient aqueduct of "La
Fuente del Rey", originating from the Eighteenth
Century.
Festivities
The first celebration of the year, in honour of San
Sebastián, takes place on the 20th of January.
On the 2nd of February, the day of the purification
of "La Santísima Virgen de la Candelaria"
is celebrated and towards the end of June, are the
main festivities of San Juan Bautista, Patron Saint
of summer. The weekend prior to the festivity of San
Juan, the flamenco enthusiasts have a date at the
festival "Torre del Cante", of great prestige
and deeprooted in Andalucia.
Gastronomy
Its traditional cuisine is made up of rice and chestnuts,
"la sopa cachorreña", "las
gachas" and the boiled soup, dishes all made
from local products.
Usefull information
Local Holidays 20th January when the town's
patron saint is honoured and festivities last three
days and 2nd February.
Distance from Malaga Airport:8km
Town Hall: 952-418-150
Local Police: 952-417-152
It has a good range of services available including
a health centre, several chemists, schools a municipal
sports centre and shops where you can buy most things
and several supermarkets. Alhaurín de la Torre
has an active cultural scene.
Property
Alhaurín de la Torre is one of the cheaper
places to buy property on the Costa del Sol at the
moment, although prices are rising in response to
demand from committers looking for property in this
town, which serves as a dormitory town for the capital.
New construction in urbanisations outside the town
is intense at the moment, particularly in the area
to the south of the town in the urbanisation of Retamar
and Lagar.
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Axarquía Villages
Costa del Sol Villages
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