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VILLAGES - BENALMADENA INFORMATION
The tow n’s municipal region stretches
from the foothills of La Sierra de Mijas to the sea, where it occupies
a short coastal strip.
Completely devoted to tourism, Benalmadena is one of the most important
resorts on the Western Costa del Sol, offering a variety of options:
firstly, the village itself, located in the upper part of the municipality,
featuring traditional architecture which reflects its origins and
affording beautiful panoramic views; further down stands a district
of great importance, Arroyo de la Miel, where most of the population
live, with its wealth of tourist facilities, including an international
pleasure park; and, finally, Benalmadena-Costa, where most of the
facilities for sun and sand tourism are concentrated: hotels, a casino,
golf courses, a pleasure harbour etc. Worthy of note for its originality
is Bil-Bil Fortress, on the sea front, a curious structure built in
Neoarabic style in 1934, now used for cultural purposes by the local
council.
History
Arabs gave the city its name, which appears to be derived from Banu
Al Madena, meaning “sons of the mines”, a reference to
the important mineral deposits which had been heavily exploited since
Roman era; a number of archaeological remains pertaining to this period
have been unearthed here, notably a mosaic which can be found in the
Alcazaba Museum in Málaga
Prior to the Moslem occupation, Benalmadena had been colonised by
Phoenician merchants.
During Arabic era, the castle was an important defensive structure.
After the surrender of Marbella, the Catholic Monarchs turned their
attention to Benalmadena, believing that the remaining villages on
the way to the city of Málaga would present few difficulties. This
was not the case, however, as its inhabitants, protected by their
fortress, offered stiff resistance, and King Ferdinand was forced
to direct operations himself.
Following its capture in 1485, the castle was totally destroyed and
its inhabitants dispersed.
In 1491, the Catholic Monarchs granted a citizen of Málaga, Alonso
Palmero, a letter of privilege allowing him to repopulate the area
and rebuild the village and its castle under the supervision of the
chief magistrate of the aforementioned city.
Benalmadena became a key location in the defence of the coast against
the attacks of North African pirates. Remains of three towers can
still be found on the coast: The Muelle, Quebrada and Bermeja.
Despite the presence of Roman remains and a mosque in Arroyo de la
Miel, a district of Benalmadena, the suburb as we know it today appeared
at the end of the 18th century as a result of the hydraulic installations
and paper and playing card-producing facilities created by the Galvez
de Macharaviaya family, and the presence of a sugar and honey cane
factory, the sweet residual waters of which gave the area its name
(Arroyo de la Miel translates as the Stream of Honey).
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