The Carthaginians were early visitors to El Burgo, followed, almost inevitably, by the Romans. During the final years of the Emirate of Cordoba, El Burgo was part of the territories controlled by Omar Ben Hafsun, variously referred to as ‘rebel’ and ‘bandit’.
Following the defeat of Omar’s sons at the hands of caliph Abd-Al Rahman III, the village became a part of of Rayya (Málaga), under the Caliphate of Cordoba. The town was captured by the Castillian king Peter I, Pedro the Cruel as he was often known, during one of his many wars but was regained by the Muslims in 1368. The Catholic Monarchs took over after the fall of Ronda in 1485.
One of the most famous sons of El Burgo was the highwayman ‘Pasos Largos‘, born in the town in 1863 and regarded as the last Andalucían Bandolero.
Statistics
Area: 118 square kilometres
Altitude: 591 mtrs above sea level
Population: +/- 2,100
Distance from Nerja: 132 km
Driving Time: +/- 1 hour 20 mins
Location
Places of Interest
Iglesia de la Encarnación
Convento Carmelita de la Virgen de las Nieves
Roman and Arabic remains
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Gazpacho (chilled soup), Olla de Tagarninas (thistle stew), Migas (fried breadcrumbs with pieces of meat), Guisillo de Espárragos (asparagus stew), Caldereta (lamb stew).
Local Festivals
Holy Week
Romería de la Virgen de las Nieves (August)
San Agustín (August 28th)
Useful Info
Town Hall
Tel: 952 160 002
Where to Stay
La Casa Grande del Burgo***
Calle. Mesones, 1
Telephone: 952160232
Fax: 952160252
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hotel-lacasagrande.com/
Posada del Canónigo*
Calle Mesones, 24
Telephone: 952160185
Fax: 952160185
Hostal Sierra de las Nieves*
Real Comandante Benítez, 26
Telephone: 952160017