Algarrobo
Photos

Interesting facts
Area: 9.70 sq. kms
Number of inhabitants: Approx. 5,000
Descent: Algarrobeños
Monuments: Hermitage of San Sebastián, Church of Santa Ana, archaeological remains of Trayamar and Torres Viglas
Geographical situation: Part of Vélez-Málaga, at 32 Kms. from Malaga and 5.5 from Sayalonga
Tourist information:
Town Hall, C/ Antonio Ruíz Rivas, 2. 29750. Phone: 952 552 430 Fax: 952 552 423

The most direct route to Algarrobo is by the Autovía del Mediterráneo, heading towards Motril and following the relevant signposts. There is also a bus service to the town. Although described as a coastal town, Algarrobo is actually situated three kilometres inland, the beach area being known as Algarrobo-Costa. Algarrobo itself is at the foot of a hill that leads up to the Hermitage of San Sebastián by one of the streets in the town. The streets are narrow and winding, and most of the houses are low and white-washed, many with niches built into the facades to venerate saints. This has been a tradition in the town for many generatio
The river Algarrobo flows from the higher Axarquía east of the Vélez river through the municipality, reaching the sea along a narrow coastal strip that runs from Mezquitilla to Caleta de Vélez. It was here in the Morro de Mezquitilla that the first evidence of pre-historic settlement was found in the area, dating from the Bronze Age. Nevertheless, the most interesting remains are to be found in the Trayamar Necropolis, consisting of a collection of tombs that extend from the Trayamar finca to a nearby hill. The Moors came later, these being of a Berber tribe known as the Beni Tumi, from which the name of the Sierra de Bentomiz derives. They stimulated the local economy by the cultivation of cereals, fruits and nuts, and the making of silk. The town passed into the hands of Doña Catalina de Ribera towards the close of the 15th century, and she had to face rebellion from the Moriscos later as a result of their expulsion and the re-settlement of Christian families


Outstanding visits
The Trayamar Necropolis
The Necropolis at Trayamar is the most important tomb complex from Paleopunic times on the entire western Mediterranean coastline. The archaeological remains discovered there date from the 7th century B.C., these being a collection of underground tombs magnificently made in stone. The various pieces of jewellery and other items found in the tombs can be seen in the Provincial Archaeological Museum in Malaga, alongside are construction of what one of the tombs was originally like. Other archaeological remains, this time from the Middle Ages, are two beacon towers, situated side by side close to the National 340, beside the mouth of the river Algarrobo. The Ladeada Tower or the "daleá", as it is called, is a defensive tower noted for its incline
Hermitage of San Sebastián
The present-day Hermitage of San Sebastián is, in fact, quite new, having been built in 1976 on the foundations of the older building. It has a single nave in the shape of the Latin cross. The entrance is a semicircular arch on pillars, with the belfry on top
Church of Santa Ana
The Church of Santa Ana dates from the 16th century. The floor plan is in the shape of the Latin cross, with three naves supported by semicircular arches on octagonal pillars, the framework in timber in the classical style. The exterior is a simple, modern style with a four-tiered bell-tower, square at the base
Dining and wining
Restaurante el Chato. Specialising in kid and rabbit. Large function room for weddings and communions. Avda. de Carat 6-8. Phone: 952 552 403
Mesón El Cochinillo. Ctra. de Algarrobo, Km. 1. Phone: 952 511 018
Mesón Los Lobos. Ctra. de Algarrobo, Km. 1. Phone: 952 550 094
Restaurante La Viuda. Ctra. Nac.340 Barriada Mezquitilla. Phone: 952 550 759
Restaurante El Paraiso. Urb. Pueblo Nuevo. Phone: 952 511 349
Restaurante Piscis. Urb. Pueblo Nuevo. Phone: 952 550 098
Restaurante Faustino. Urb. Pueblo Nuevo. Phone: 952 511 915
Restaurante La Bodega. Paseo Marítimo de Mezquitilla. Phone: 952 550 163
Where to sleep
Hostal. 'El Chato'. Avda. de Karat, 6. Phone: 952 552 403.
Tourist Apartments. Bloque Montevideo, 3. Phone: 952 511 209.
Tourist Apartments. Centro Internacional, bloque 71, bajos. Phone: 952 511 170.
Fiestas and gastronomy

The three-day Fiestas Populares take place in the second half of August, to coincide with the last Sunday of the month. There is a very full programme of activities for this festival, from children¹s races and sporting competitions to greasy pole climbing and other fun activities. There is also a great deal of music and dancing during the festival, as there is too in the neighbouring towns at this time. Earlier in the year, on January 20th, the town¹s saint¹s day, San Sebastián, is celebrated, when the image of the saint is brought from the hermitage in the high part of the town to the parish church. Another popular event is the festival known as the verdialies, a type of musical form peculiar to this part of Andalucía. It has its own style of composition - four movements in differing tones - and these are repeated by pairs of young men and women in circles. The dance originates from the river Huit area, known locally as "Güi", and until quite recent times it was a type of courtship dance. These days it is danced in festivals and parties, and after the stamping of the grapes at home. The instruments used include the guitar, the castanets and various home-made percussion instruments
GASTRONOMY
Algarrobo is most famous - gastronomically speaking - for its doughnuts made with olive oil, which is clearly an indication of the town¹s Moorish past; dried fruits and nuts like raisins and almonds, and more elaborate dished like kid in garlic, the typical Algarrobo stew, fennel flavoured stew and the clear garlic soup of the town. On the coast one can savour the sardines on the spit and other delicious fish dishes. All this food goes down very well with one of the local home-made sweet wines