Sedella

Interesting facts
Area: 32,28
Number of inhabitants: 542
Descent: Sedellanos
Monuments: Church of San Andrés, Casa Torreón, Shrine to the Virgen de la Esperanza
Geographical situation: In the northeast of the Axarquía, 60 kilometres from Malaga and 25 from Vélez, at 689 metres above sea level.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, C/Andalucía, 11. 29715. Phone: 952 508 839 Fax: 952 508 838

Sedella is one of the 31 towns and villages that make up the Ruta Mudéjar, in the Axarquía. It borders with the municipalities of Alhama de Granada, Canillas de Albaida, Salares, Arenas and Canillas de Aceituno, to the north, northeast, east, south and west, respectively. To reach the village, one takes the autovía to Vélez and turn off there for Sedella, passing through Arenas and Árchez, or one can also take the smaller roads that run more or less parallel to the main road, these having recently been improved. As is the case of many towns in Andalucía, many of the old houses in the village have been knocked down to build new ones, but in many cases too the original Mudejar design has been preserved. Sedella is a typical Moorish town, filled with examples of Mudejar architecture, with narrow and winding streets that carry the stamp of the Moorish village. Its altitude provides wonderful views over the beautiful countryside around the village, and from here one can see the Sierra Tejeda Mountains, the Mountains of Bentomiz and one clear days, the Atlas Mountains across the Mediaterranean. It is a peaceful place, far from the hustle and bustle of the cities and bigger towns, and ideal for a weekend rest.
The history of Sedella goes back to pre-historic times, and although no big archaeological finds have been made, there is sufficient evidence to show that people have lived here from time immemorial. Among the objects found in the area are flint axes and other hunting tools. Romans and Carthaginians settled here too, as we can see from coins and ceramic pieces discovered in the area. As for the origin of the town's name, it comes from the Latin "sedilia", which means "emplacement or rural possession." There have been other names: the oldest documentary evidence we have is "Villa del Castillo", and variations on the Roman name include "Sedille", dating from the 7th century. This name appears on a map of the diocese ordered to be made by the Visigoth king Wamba. Later, the Malaga bishop Teodulpo refers to the town in an Episcopal address as "Sedilla". And following the Christian conquest in 1487, the place was called "Xedalia". But the final word on the town's name comes from Queen Isabal herself, during the re-conquest. There was, apparently, a fierce battle between Moors and Christians in the area known as the Arroyo de la Matanza. When informed of the battle, the queen replied: "Sé de ella" (I know about it).


Outstanding visits
Church of San Andrés
The Church of San Andrés is situated in the higher part of the village, and is worth visiting for its square tower. Built in the 16th century, it has two storeys and an octagonal roof on semicircular arches. Inside one can see sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries, and a monstrance from the 17th century.
Trekking
For nature lovers and those who like walking in the countryside, the Sierra de Tejeda mountain range is ideal. Here one can find the old Arrieros road, the Cave of Horeada, the Maroma peak and the Salto del Caballo (Horse leap). The Tejo tree can be seen here to, one of the biggest of Andalucía's ancient trees that belongs to the conifer family. The species goes back millions of years, with fossil finds showing its existence more than 150 million years ago.
Rubite
Rubite is a small urban area to the east of Sedella that falls under the jurisdiction of both Sedella and Canillas de Aceituno. The dividing line between the two municipalities runs down the centre of the main street, and this has given rise to the popular expression: "Rubite is so big it belongs to two mayors."
Casa Torreón
The Casa Torreón is the most interesting building in the town. It is an old house that one Diego Fernández de Córdoba, mayor of the Donceles, used to live in, and he ended up with the title " Señorío de Sedella" as reward for services rendered to the Crown of Castile. The house has a square Mudejar-style tower with open arches on Renaissance-style columns, with a highly decorated wooden ceiling inside.