HISTORY OF BENALMADENA

Located on a place known as " Hoya de Málaga", -Malaga Hole-, at 20 kms. from the capital city, and along the hills under the protection of the Mijas Mountains, Benalmádena, the town in which the Catholic Monarchs established the headquarters for the protection of the coast against the pirate invasion. For that reason the city coats of arms shows written on it "Vigia de la Costa". (Coast Watcher).

The first neighbours of the town settled there in 1493 and on the distribution of the land two pieces where adjudged to Benalmadena, one in Torreblanca and the other in Arroyo de la Miel. The remains of the watchtowers , built during the XVIII century are still visible on top of some hills.

Phoenicians and Romans had their establishment on the Benalmadena coast and in a modern building in Arroyo de la Miel the remains of a Roman arch is part of the building entrance..

The Arab name of Benalmadena, means "son of the mines" . The most illustrious Arab citizen of the town was Ibn Al Beithar, famous chemist who became later private doctor of Saladin The Great.

Benalmádena's inhabitants fought bravely before surrendered to the army of the King Ferdinand, being the last town in the coast to be conquered, the fortress was destroyed and the people banished. In 1491 the Catholics Monarchs granted Alonso Palomero, letter of privilege to repopulate the villa under the vigilance and protection of the Malaga Mayor..

[ Menu ]