Arenas
Small town of 1.300 inhabitants is situated in the
administrative district of La Axarquía, at
about forty kilometres from the Málaga capital.
Its town centre is covered with places which suggest
its Muslim past. The town is divided into three very
distinct areas: "El Barrio Alto" or "Alto
del Lugar", where the craftsmen, the blacksmiths
and the potters use to reside; the town centre where
the well- off used to live and the town hall and the
square of the almohad church- mosque, dating from
the Twelfth Century, are situated; and, lastly, "El
Barrio Bajo" or "Cantarranas", the
place where the poorer townsfolk used to live.
The peak of Bentomiz, in which the remains of an old
fortification are found, can be observed from any
part of the town. It is highly recommended to go up
to its summit (either by foot or on mule- back) and
observe weather permitting, splendid views of the
African Continent.
Apart from this fortification, the district of Daimalos
(which still keeps some buildings from the Twelfth
Century), the church of "Santa Catalina",
of Mudejar styling, and, at the town's entrance,
an old oil mill and a mural of the prestigious potter,
Virgilio González, are places of interest.
Its most important festivities are the Februrary "Carnaval",
the festivities in honour of "Santa Catalina"
and "San Sebastián", on the 10th
and 12th of August, and the "Candelaria",
celebrated on the 7th and 8th of September.
The specialities of its cuisine are the fried goat
with almond sauce (chivo frito con salsa de almendras)
and the fried breadcrumbs with olives and herring
(las migas con aceitunas y arrenques) dishes which
are recommended to wash down with a fine wine of the
land. For lovers of more filling dishes, the cavaroes
stew (el potaje de cavaores), based on chickpeas and
yellow rice, and the stew of chickpeas, cod and broad
beans, typical of Holy Week.
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