The historic city of Archidona, which originated in the Phoenician era, lies in the Nororma region in the north-eastern part of the province of Málaga. Its urban area spreads over the slopes of the Gracia Mountains. It possesses a significant architectural heritage, as evidenced by the fact that it was designated an Artistic and Historical Complex. Especially remarkable are the Punic-Arabic castle that has been converted into the Santuario de la Santísima Virgen de Gracia (Sanctuary of the Holy Virgin of Grace, the local patron saint), the unusual eighteenth century Plaza Ochavada, and the Santo Domingo Convent and the Convent of Jesús y María, both from the sixteenth century.

Archidona played a decisive role during Muslim rule due to its strategic setting, and it was during that period that the city reached its height of splendour. It came to be the capital of the Cora de Rayya territory, which roughly corresponded to the present province of Málaga. It was one of the centres of the uprising headed by Omar Ben Hafsun, but perhaps the most important historic event ever to occur in this royal burgh was the proclamation of Abd-el-Rahman I as an independent emir in 711. It is indeed curious that with all its important monuments, not to mention its fascinating history and the beautiful landscapes near the urban district, that it is for the most recent of them that the city is famous far beyond its borders: the Plaza Ochavada.

This beautiful architectural specimen was built between 1780 and 1786 according to designs drawn up by the master builders Francisco Astorga and Antonio González Sevilla. The Town Hall of that period gave them responsibility for fixing up and making sanitary improvements to this place that up until then had been a malodorous manure dump and, evidently, a breeding ground for disease. While providing the city with a modern urban space, born out of the progressive ideas of the Age of Enlightenment, it also alleviated the unemployment that existed at that among the population. 

Its famous octagonal shape has clear precedents in French tastes of the era. It is significant that Antonio González Sevilla’s father was French, and some writers see in this plaza certain influences from the Vendôme in París, which was a reference in many construction projects in the neighbouring country. Nevertheless, an unmistakable Mudéjar influence can be see in the decorations of the façades. That is the inspiration for the profuse ornamentation based on red brick in the pilasters, contrasting with the white of the mortar, which is so popular throughout Andalusia. The Plaza Ochavada occupies the old quarter of Archidona and the main streets of the locality converge upon it. Its three entrance gates have a somewhat monumental appearance, being adorned with niches, pediments and a number of Rococo features. Although the eight sides of the octagon are apparently equal each has its peculiarities.

Archidona’s Plaza Ochavada is unquestionably one of the most interesting examples of urban planning in eighteenth century Spain, both for its well thought out concept of space and for the number of architectural influences to be seen in it: Baroque, Manierist, and Mozarabic, with, of course, a clear nod to popular architecture. From the time it was first opened this space became the nerve centre of the city. Due to its functionality the most traditional local festivities are held there each year, especially during Holy Week, which in these surroundings takes on special meaning.

Highway N-331 (A-45) leads from Málaga straight to the A-92. Take this route towards Granada until you get to the A-6200 turning, which leads to Archidona.