Benamargosa

Location

Benamargosa is located in the river valley of the same name some 15 kilometers inland from Velez-Málaga on the costa del Sol and about a half an hour´s drive by motorway from Málaga. The valley is practically evergreen and almost like an oasis in summertime, due to the plantations of avocado and citrus fruits lining the river. The village centre is 90 meters above sea level, and the hills rising up along the side of the river reach 550 meters. Thanks to the warm climate of the area, it is possible to achieve more than one harvest. Traditional vineyards are to be found in the hills surrounding the village, growing the famous Málaga grapes used to make the well known sweet wines of the region. The traditional cultivation of olives, almonds and carob is gradually being replaced by the mango.

Surroundings

Typical village of the Axarquia

Most of the 1,700 inhabitants live in the village or the small outlying hamlets. Agriculture is still the key industry and although this is becoming increasingly industrialised there are still those who rise early to go out to the hills with their mules and traditional tools to work the land in the old manner.

History

The higgledy piggledy houses and narrow streets winding up the hillside are typical of the traditional Moorish style. The earliest remains found are from the 15th Century. The ¨Jewel of the Village¨ - the Church of the Encarnation – was founded in the 16th Century. By the 19th Century Benamargosa was renowned for its grapes and had 4,000 inhabitants. Following the blight which destroyed nearly all the vines the number of inhabitants of the village dropped to no more than 700. During the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 39) Benamargosa became famous for the smuggling of tobacco, as a result of which it became known as ¨Little Gibraltar¨.

Day to day life

Benamargosa is still very much a typical Andalucian village despite changes in recent times. After a hard days work the men drop into a local bar for a drink and a tapa, to chat and gossip about the events of the day. The women, who when at home always seem to have a mop in their hand, like to go out for daily shopping to the fishmonger or supermarket, or many of the small local shops scattered about the village. As well as the many shops there are banks, a health centre, a primary school and an open air swimming pool.