Archidona
Situated to the north of the province and at a distance
of about 50 km. from the Málaga capital, Archidona
stretches by the side of the "Sierra de Gracia",
which dominates the vast fields at its dot. Although
at present, its population exceeds 10.000 inhabitants,
the population boom of the sixties provoked a substantial
emigration towards other more developed cities in
northern Spain and Europe.
The local economy is based on a modest cattle-breeding
business, an incipient industry and, above all, the
olive grove crops, which produce an olive oil of excellent
quality.
In order to learn about the historical origins of
the town, we have to go back to the old "Escua
de los Túrdulos", a punic word which
means "Principal Head". The name was later
arabized, resulting in the name of Arjiduna. It is
precisely during the time of its muslim naming when
Archidona reaches its moment of greatest splendour,
becoming the capital of the Rayya region (equivalent
to what is nowadays the Province of Málaga).
After some years of turbulent uprisings and revolts,
the capital of the region is passed on to Málaga
during the period of the reign of Taifas, iniciating
a gradual decadence which would culminate with the
conquest of the castle on 28th July 1462 by Don Pedro
Téllez Girón, "Gran Maestre de
Calatrava".
Once peace was installed to the region and after the
conquest of the Arabic Kingdom of Granada, the city
would expand beyond the walls that enclose the upper
part of the town area and would extend towards the
foot of the hill, constituting the origin of its present
position.
Archidona maintains rich, historical and artistic
heritages, headed by its majestic castle and its well
preserved walls; the shrines of "La Virgen de
Gracia" and "San Antonio", the church
of "Santa Ana", the building of "La
Cilla". The convents of "Santo Domingo"
and "Las Monjas Mínimas", "La
Plaza Ochavada"…
Three dates stand out in the city's calendar
of festivities: The February Carnaval, Holy Week in
Spring and the local festivities in August, all of
which have great popular appeal.
In its cuisine we find numerous delicacies: the Moorish
casserole, the egg stew, "la porra archidonesa",
the ochavada soup and the must or grape- juice pap.
From its confectionery, the fried doughnuts, "pestiños",
"los aceitados" and the butter- based
bread rolls are its main offerings.
Axarquía Villages
Costa del Sol Villages
Valle del Guadalhorce Villages
Ronda Villages
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