Alhaurín de la Torre lies at the mouth of the River Guadalhorce valley and, being only 17 kilometres from Málaga and 10 kilometres from Torremolinos, the town has in some ways become a sort of commuter suburb.
In Roman times it was called Lauro Vetus, and when the Arabs settled in the area it became Alhaurein or Albarracin. It was after the Christian conquest in 1485 that it received its current name of Alhaurín, with ‘de la Torre’ being added purely to distinguish it from Alhaurín el Grande.
Statistics
Area: 83 square kilometres
Altitude: 99 mtrs above sea level
Population: +/- 28,000
Distance from Nerja: 75 km
Driving Time: +/- 1 hour 5 mins
Location
Places of Interest
San Sebastián church. The first temple was built in the early 17th century and was then rebuilt in the 19th century after being destroyed by an earthquake. It has a Latin cross floor plan and an interior composed of three naves. It also has twin belfries.
Niche of Cristo del Cardón. Local tradition is that in 1484, during the Castilian conquest, a miracle occurred, an image of Christ painted on a piece of wood saving a Christian soldier from death. Because of this, the Christ image has been venerated in different niches.
Arcos de Zapata. These are remains of the Fuente del Rey aqueduct, an eighteenth century architectural project intended to bring water from a spring at Churriana to the capital of Málaga. However, opposition from local landowners and the high costs involved meant that it was never actually used.
El Alamillo hermitage. Built in 1875, it is where Saint Francisco de Paula is venerated, and in times of drought it was the custom to carry this saint in a procession in the common belief that the rains would then arrive.
The Refugio de Torrijos. This is the house where General José María de Torrijos sought refuge upon arrival in the town when fleeing from the troops of Fernando VII. The General led an uprising in 1831 in an attempt to restore the Constitution of 1812. The general and his men sought shelter on the estate known as Hacienda de la Alquería, owned by the Count of Mollina (present-day Torrealquería). However, the General and his loyal followers were taken prisoner and, shortly afterwards, were executed by firing squad on the beaches of San Andrés in the capital, Málaga. An obelisk on Plaza Merced commemorates these events.
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Arroz con Castañas (Rice with chestnuts. The basic ingredients are smoked chestnuts and honey and is especially popular during Holy Week), Rosquillo (a ring-shaped pastry), Cachorreña (Soup made with bread and oranges), Caldo Poncima (Soup made with peppers, tomatoes and onions), Gachas (gruel-like soup made of flour, water and seasonings), Ensalada de Bacalao (codfish salad).
Local Festivals
Fiestas de San Sebastián (January 20th)
Holy Week
San Juan (June 24th)
Useful Info
Tourist Office
Tel: 952413529