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Comares
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Town history
Gastronomy
  • Comares is a Moorish village located on the border between the region of Axarquía and the Montes de Málaga. It is known as the "Balcony of the Axarquía" because of its privileged position on a mountain top.

    Its labyrinth-like streets and its architecture, a reflection of its Moorish roots, are the most characteristic features of its urban landscape. The Ruta de la Pasa (Route of the Raisin) should not be missed. This village is also the birthplace of verdiales, a particular style of folk song in the villages of Malaga and which carries the name of the village.

    MUST SEE SITES IN COMARES

    MONUMENTS

    The Comares Castle and the Aljibe de Mazmúllar form part of the rich heritage left by the Arabs in this village of Axarquía. The fortress still preserves two of its turrets and part of the ancient wall, which is known as La Tahona. The well, built during the 13th century, was declared a national Historical-Artistic Monument.

    The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is another one of the main architectural features of Comares. This Mudejar-style church is located at the highest part of the village. It was built during the 16th century, although the Sagrario chapel was added at a later date. It has three naves and its distinctive features include its Mozarabic tower.

  • Comares is about 35 kilometres from Málaga. There are several ways to get there by car.

    The shortest option begins on the N-340 motorway and continues along A-7001, MA-3111 and M-3105 until reaching the town.

    Another alternative is to take the Mediterranean motorway (A-7) and taking the exit towards the A-35. At Trapiche, you have to take the diversion to the MA-145 / MA-3113 and, after Benamargosa, continue on the MA-3107. Then you have to travel the MA-169 / MA-3105.

    There is the option of taking public transport, with the bus from Málaga to Comares operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • NATURAL RESOURCES

    Comares is a natural viewpoint offering stunning views of almost the entire region. The village is located 700 metres above sea level, which is why it is known as the "Balcony of Axarquía".

    The municipality offers numerous areas surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The most notable are La Alquería, brimming with grapevines and Mazmúllar, with its almond and olive trees.

    Comares forms part of the Ruta de la Pasa, which runs through vineyards, large country estates with traditional paseros (areas for drying fruit) and the white villages of the Axarquía. This route has been declared a Tourist Attraction of Andalusia.

    LOCAL FESTIVITIES

    The calendar of events in Comares begins in January with the fiesta de San Hilario de Poitiers. This festivity, which has been granted a Provincial Tourism Award for being of Particular Interest, consists of a procession by the patron saint of the village, accompanied by verdiales dances and songs. At midday residents and visitors alike can enjoy a lunch and in the evening the fun begins with the local open-air dance.

    The Comares Fair is held in August, which is enjoyed by the entire village. It begins with the traditional firework display and then the fun begins, which is guaranteed to get everyone enjoying themselves. Open-air dances, concerts, horse racing and sports competitions complete the programme of activities.

    Other events of interest are the Feria de los Ventorros which is held in July and the Feria de las Cuevas, held in August.

    GASTRONOMY

    Some of the most representative dishes of Comares are its gazpachuelo (a hake and potato soup made with vinegar and mayonnaise), the sopa de puchero (a stew with chickpeas, vegetables and meat) and chivo, or young goat, used in a number of typical dishes of the region. However the culinary specialities also include maimones (similar to garlic soup), migas (small chunks of toasted bread combined with pork derivatives and vegetables), tomato soup and the famous plato de los Montes (fried egg, potatoes, green pepper, chorizo and pork loin). And of course all these dishes have to be paired with local wines made using traditional methods.

  • Town history


    Due to its geographic location, Comares was a key village in the times of the Arabs. But it was founded much earlier, in the seventh century B.C., by the Greeks from Focea reaching Málaga and Torre del Mar, who called it "Komaron", meaning "land of strawberry trees". The village"s layout, as it has come down to us, is an Arab legacy.

    The Romans saw the advantages of this area in Axarquía, using it as a vantage point and even probably setting up a fortress. The Comares Castle was one of the main defensive bulwarks in Arab times, together with the castles in Zalía and Bentomiz. Designed as a square fortress, it held as many as 15,000 people.

    Al-Andalus is present in today"s Comares in the city layout, specific traces and local customs. In those times, Comares used to be called "Hins Comarix", meaning "high castle". The keys to the village where handed in to the Catholic Monarchs in 1487, after it surrendered to the Christian troops – a fact depicted in the choir stalls of the Toledo Cathedral.

    The 30 Muslim families who stayed in Comares after the Reconquista converted to Christianity. A mass christening ceremony was held in Calle del Perdón. In the sixteenth century, the Arab descents joined in the Moorish riots that rose in Axarquía. They were crushed and expelled, and people from other areas came to settle in Comares.

    The town"s coat of arms mirrors the history of its marquises, beginning with Diego Fernández de Córdoba. He got his nobility title from the Catholic Monarchs, as a reward for the role he played when Boabdil was taken prisoner. Currently, the Duchess of Medinaceli is the 17th Marquise of Comares.

  • Traditional recipes from Comares include the plato de los Montes, tomato soup with grapes, migas, porridge, maimones, kid goat and gazpachuelo. However, the most traditional dishes are the gazpachuelo, ajoblanco and sopa de puchero.

    You also can't eat without local handmade wines.


More information

Characteristics

  • Inhabitants (1,001-2,500)
  • Inland area

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