Torre del Mar Culture

Like other districts in the province of Malaga, the history of the Axarquía dates back to the Palaeolithic times, proven by the remains found in several caves in the mountains of the Sierras de Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara. There are also cave paintings and some household utensils from the prehistoric men who populated the region. The Higuerón and Victoria caves in Rincón de la Victoria and the caves in Nerja are all excellent examples of these primitive cultures.

Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans have also left their mark here. In Trayamar near Algarrobo there are the remains of a Palaeo-Punic necropolis which has a tomb from the 8th century B.C. It is one of the most important Phoenician remains in West Europe. In Torrox, at the Roman Calviculum, there are remains of Roman baths and a necropolis. The many examples of Moorish art and architecture in the villages are the fruit of the period of Moorish rule, like the minarets in Arenas, Salares, Archez and the Moorish watch-towers all along the coast. The Christian monarchs reconquered the Axarquía in 1487 with the help of rich noblemen from Castile. They first took Vélez-Málaga which came under the kingdom of Granada. This more recent history from the end of the 15th century has shaped the region over 400 years up to its present form today. The inland villages are mainly agricultural but the villages on the coast have changed drastically over the last 25 years because of the tourist development. Anyway, all the villages have known how to keep their rich and varied historic legacy that past civilisations have left. Their culture has its roots in the Moorish period as can be seen from the architecture, the gastronomy, the folk songs and dances, the arts, crafts, and agriculture.

The origins of the rich cooking of the Axarquía are in the Moorish culture. The basic ingredient of most of the dishes are produced in the region, the basic elements are the olive oil and the wine. You only have to stop on route through the Axarquía to see the importance of the gastronomy in the region. There are five recommended routes and four refer to the local produce : the sun and avocado pair route, the sun and wine route, the raisin route and through olive oil country. There are popular celebrations organised around local dishes like the day they prepare "migas" for everyone in Torrox or the day of the "ajo blanco" in Almáchar. In Cómpeta they celebrate the night of the wine and in Benamorra they have a day of the avocado pear.

The cuisine is as varied as the region and it can be divided into two different parts, one from the inland villages where flavours are combined, the almond is mixed with garlic, thyme and other aromatic herbs to make their rabbit stew and one shouldn’t forget the hare casserole, the partridge or the speciality par excellence which is the kid. The "migas", gazpacho, "ajoblanco" and all kinds of stews. On the coast, the basic ingredient is the fresh fish caught off the coast. Sardines are cooked on a skewer over an open fire on the beach. You can try paella, marinated fish or one of the many fish stews. The cooking is one of the ways of expressing the culture of a place and you should make a few stops at some of the many restaurants, bars, taverns, "ventas" or beach restaurants to sample the local delicacies.

In Macharaviaya and Iznate "Maimones" soup and gazpachuelo ; in Vélez-Málaga and Almachar "ajo blanco" soup and the bitter orange "cachoreñas" soup ; a cabbage stew and "migas" in Benamocarra ; kid in sauce and almond and oil tarts in Algarrobo ; pork crackling from Sayalonga ; liver pastoral style and fennel stew from Competa, all accompanied by the excellent local wine. "migas" and rabbit casserole in Torrox ; sweet potatoes with honey in Frigiliana ; fennel with rice in Archez, gaspacho with broad beans from El Borge ; small cakes from Alfarnatejo and Riogordo and doughnuts from Alfarnate. But please don’t take our word for it - try it yourself - and enjoy!

Romerias to different shrines and spots are organised frequently from May to September. On September 27th, the San Miguel Feria – in honour of the town’s patron saint - is held to coincide with the feast day of St Michael (and all the archangels). It is a good time to pay the town a visit since there is so much going on, with daytime and nighttime merrymaking, as well as a cattle fair.

The people of Torre del Mar adorn the streets and give themselves over to having fun on July 26th for the feast day of the patron saints, Santiago and Santa Ana. With its maritime tradition, the town also celebrates the eve of the feast of the Virgin del Carmen, on July 15th. In the spring, the Cross Festival is held between April 27th and May 3rd, when the conquest of Vélez-Málaga by King Ferdinand is remembered. As everywhere in Andalucía, Holy Week processions are organised and in Vélez-Málaga many remarkably beautiful images are carried through the streets in procession.