Discover Benalauría: Culture, Nature and Holiday Apartments

In Benalauría, the Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos takes place on the first Sunday in August. It bears the official designation “Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía” (Festival of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia). The festival reenacts a Mudejar rebellion that took place more than five centuries ago. At the CI Casa Moros y Cristianos, the origins and development of the festival are presented through images, stories, historical texts and elements from the performance.

Culture and History

The Columbario Romano del Cortijo del Moro is a rectangular Roman burial chamber from the 1st century AD, associated with an agricultural villa. The Museo Etnográfico is located in the Molino de Antonio Almagro mill, whose origins date back to the 18th century. It preserves a traditional olive press and wine presses; the museum also displays agricultural tools, weights, measures and other equipment used in agricultural production. The Iglesia Santo Domingo de Guzmán was rebuilt at the end of the 16th century and restored at the beginning of the 19th century. The Casa Consistorial dates from the 17th century and serves as a “castle” during the Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos. The Capilla de Siete Pilas dates from around the late 1950s; since then, the image of the Immaculate Conception has been venerated there.

Landscape and Nature

The Mirador del Fresnillo is located on Plaza del Fresnillo, a few metres from the Museo Etnográfico, and offers views over the Valle del Genal. The cemetery of Benalauría is laid out on interconnected terraces and offers views over the Valle del Genal. From the historic Torreón Virgen del Rosario, visitors can overlook the Valle del Genal, the Sierra de las Nieves and the Sierra Bermeja. During the Romería de la Virgen del Rosario, the Virgen del Rosario is carried in an ox-drawn cart to the Área Recreativa El Bailadero.

The Cañón de las Buitreras is designated a natural monument of Andalusia. Its depths reach 100 metres and, in some places, up to 200 metres. Benalauría’s natural surroundings include numerous river bends that create an impressive riverside landscape. The area around Benalauría is suitable for observing animals, including griffon vultures, golden eagles, eagle owls, otters, roe deer and trout. In the Valle del Genal, chestnut forests shape a particularly lush landscape known as the “Bosque de Cobre” (Copper Forest). A colony of griffon vultures nests in the rocks around the Cañón de las Buitreras.

Other Places

Other local pages: Riogordo, Yunquera, Casabermeja, Archidona, Casarabonela, Montejaque, Caleta De Vélez and Bermejo.

Regional Products and Festivals

The Fiesta de los Huertos takes place in mid-August and offers a traditional breakfast featuring produce from the gardens, as well as the opportunity to discover and buy products from the gardens of Benalauría. Bodega 28 Metros Cuadrados offers visitors a wine experience with red, rosé and white wines made from grapes grown by small local producers in the Genal and Guadiaro valleys. A bakery in Benalauría has been operating since 1882; three generations have kneaded and baked a bread product there with care and experience.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Málaga.