Alameda

Location

Antequera

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Interesting Facts of Alameda

Surface Area: 64 square kilometres

Population: 5,426

What the natives are called: Alamedanos or Lametanos

Outstanding Sights: Roman baths, Chalcolithic necropolis, La Inmaculada church, tomb of “El Tempranillo”, Museo de Aperos de Labranza (Farming Tools Museum)

Geographical Location: in the northern part of the Antequera region, 85 kilometres from Málaga and 432 metres above sea level. Annual rainfall is about 610 litres per square metre and the average temperature is 16º C.

The municipality of Alameda lies in the Antequera region in the northern part of the province of Málaga and stretches over a plain on which only a few low hills interrupt a level landscape abounding with olive groves, as might be expected in a territory so close to the countryside of Córdoba and Seville.

Due to its location Alameda was, like other neighbouring villages, a crossroads between the provinces of Málaga, Granada and Seville, so the first human settlements date back to the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic period (2,500 B.C.), but the most numerous relics from past ages relate to the Roman domination.

The historian Pliny refers to the city of Astigi Vetus, which would have stood in the same place presently occupied by Alameda. Here three of the most important Roman roads converged, an unmistakable sign of the importance of this locality during that era.

From that time, except for the discovery of a "little treasure" from the sixth century (the Visigoth period), no reliable documents exist exploring the history of Alameda until well into the sixteenth century, despite the fact that during the Arabic domination the entire region of Antequera –all of Andalusia, in fact– played a significant part.

The village passed into the hands of the Marquises of Estepa in the sixteenth century, and for a while it belonged to the province of Seville. In the late seventeenth century, coinciding with the economic recovery of the entire region, Alameda also benefited from greater economic activity and regained a degree of importance. The municipality was finally incorporated into the province of Málaga in the nineteenth century under the new administrative regime.

Road Directions

The easiest and fastest way to get to this locality from the city of Málaga is to take the A-45 (N-331) to the outskirts of Antequera, and there to connect with the A-92 and go towards Seville. Upon arrival at Mollina, take the MA- 703, which leads to Alameda. Another option is to go to Fuente de Piedra, six kilometres beyond Mollina on the same A-92, and then take the MA-701.

Full graphical path: http://bit.ly/ouJZP5

Tourist Info

Alameda
Ayuntamiento, Plaza De España, 6
Alameda
Málaga
29530

Tel: +34 952 71 00 25

Fax: +34 952 71 04 25

Send an email

Website:

Documents

Socios

Awards

Institucionales Asociado al Patronato 2010

What to See in Alameda

Alameda is one of the stops in the Tempranillo Tour, including Jauja-Lucena, Badolatosa, Corcoya, in the provinces of Córdoba and Seville, all villages which have had direct or indirect connections with this well-known bandit. There are several traces left in this area by this man who was born in Jauja and died in Alameda. The visitor who is interested in getting to know the Alameda monumental complex should go to the Roman Baths Visitor Centre, in En Medio Street, or call (+ 34) 957 519 051, where they provide information on opening hours, admission fees to the Roman bath and necropolis, the archaeological museum, "El Tempranillo" grave, and the Inmaculada church.

The Roman baths and the Chalcolithic necropolis

In the eighteenth century, the Marquise of Estepa ordered the construction of the parish church known as La Inmaculada, that is the most interesting religious monument in the municipality. Its interior is notable for the three "camarines" (small chapels) located at the front of the church and at each end of the transept. In the church interior there is a fine polychrome wood sculpture of a Crucified Christ carved in the late fourteenth century, and a remarkable oil painting collection.

Outside the church is the tomb of "El Tempranillo", one of the most famous Andalusian bandits of the nineteenth century. A stone fountain, called Fuente de la Placeta and built in the time of Charles III of Spain (eighteenth century) adorns the village centre of Alameda and is worth a visit, as it has the emblem of Alameda. Its four spouts are difficult to reach so the local people used to fill their jars and jugs in a funny way, using a hollow cane with a funnel on top.

The Museo de Aperos de Labranza Antonio Cortés, on 32 Cañada Street, houses an interesting display of tools traditionally used in farm labour. Visits must be arranged by calling (+34) 952 710 195.
, which are very close together, are the most outstanding historic remains in Alameda. While the former might arouse the interest of any visitor, the necropolis is of interest mainly to experts in the Neolithic period. Actually, it is formed by a series of artificial caves –around twenty pits containing stone tools, pottery and bones– built between 2500 and 2000 B.C. The Visitor Centre helps visitors understand the structure and layout of the baths and how they used to work. Public baths were used for bathing and were the centre of Roman social life.

Tourist Info

Alameda
Ayuntamiento, Plaza De España, 6
Alameda
Málaga
29530

Tel: +34 952 71 00 25

Fax: +34 952 71 04 25

Send an email

Website:

Documents

Socios

Awards

Institucionales Asociado al Patronato 2010

Alameda’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

One of the most deep-rooted fiestas in Alameda is the Noche de la Candelaria, held on 2 February. The townspeople light "candelas" (fires) in different places in the village on the pretext of warming themselves, while what is really intended is an entertaining get-together to consume typical products of the local lands and barnyards.

In Alameda, as in all Andalusian villages, the celebration of the Semana Santa (Holy Week) is of special importance. In Alameda, it begins on Palm Sunday with the traditional Pollinica. The processions again take over the streets on Holy Wednesday and conclude on Resurrection Sunday.

The San Isidro pilgrimage takes place on 15 May. On the previous evening a contest is held in which the residents put their imaginations to the test to see who can decorate the streets the most skilfully, nearly always with flower motifs. The night ends with an exciting traditional verbena (street party). The next day the pilgrimage takes place, with the participation of numerous profusely decorated parade floats. Once the contest is decided, the floats are dismantled amid a general din of noise and a picnic lunch is spread out.

The Fair is held in August. For several days the distinctive booths, of a markedly Andalusian character, are open to the public, and in them flamenco song, dancing, and fine cuisine play a prominent role. The most current music and rhythms alternate with traditional Andalusian flamenco performances.

In June, Alameda holds a singer-songwriter contest, aimed at discovering new artists. . The finalists perform live at Casa de la Cultura, along with popular artists.

Alameda’s Gastronomy

This region is certainly one of the most fertile farming areas in the province of Málaga, a fact that defines the gastronomy of Alameda. Variety and quality are the strong points of its most typical dishes, among which should be mentioned the classic porra Antequerana con tropezones (a delicious cold soup with meat garnish widespread in this region and prepared differently in each village), arroz con conejo o liebre (rice with hare or rabbit), migas (a dish of fried bread crumbs), sopaipas (honey cakes) and salsa de almendras or salsa de ajos (almond or garlic sauce).

Pestiños
(a sweet made of dough, eggs and honey), roscos (spiral pastries), mostachones (made with ground almonds, sugar, cinnamon and other spices), magdalenas (small buns cooked in a mould) and mantecados (very crumbly sweet shortbread) should be mentioned in any discussion of pastries. Olive oil, which is especially valued in this region, is the indispensable ingredient in the varied Alameda cuisine.

Tourist Info

Alameda
Ayuntamiento, Plaza De España, 6
Alameda
Málaga
29530

Tel: +34 952 71 00 25

Fax: +34 952 71 04 25

Send an email

Website:

Documents

Socios

Awards

Institucionales Asociado al Patronato 2010

More Information About Alameda

Famous People From Alameda

José María Pelagio Hinojosa

These facts were the base of the unsettled life that followed, to which popular tradition would add diverse and more or less believable accounts that with time grew into a genuine myth. What is in fact documented is that "El Tempranillo" devoted himself to holding up stagecoaches, and that on many occasions he divided the booty from the robberies among those who were most in need.

This hunted outlaw turned into a pursuer of bandits who were less scrupulous than himself, which motivated King Fernando VII to grant him a pardon, and he was appointed commandant of the Partida de a Caballo (mounted police), entrusted with the job of capturing criminals. This was a danger to many bandits who were operating with impunity in the Sierra Morena and its foothills and one of these outlaws, "El Barberillo", killed "El Tempranillo" with a well-placed shot from a blunderbuss. As has been indicated, his remains lie in a simple tile-covered tomb in the courtyard of the Concepción de Alameda church.

The raids by "El Tempranillo" and his outlaw band mainly focused on the villages of Alameda, Badolatosa, Jauja and Corcoya, which today are points making up El Tempranillo Tour. In each of these villages, the places most frequented by the famous bandit are marked and the most outstanding events in which he participated are recounted.

Nature in Alameda

The Laguna de la Ratosa, "little sister" of the also nearby but much larger Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, is very close to the centre of the village. In both of these shallow lakes the flamingo colony is especially numerous during the nesting season. If rains have not been plentiful during the winter and spring, the Laguna de la Ratosa dries up in summer. Nevertheless, it has been designated a protected nature area by the government of Andalusia.

Also worth a visit is La Camorra, a scenic viewpoint located 686 metres above sea level, from which the visitor will be able to see the houses of Alameda, the river Genil, El Torcal in Antequera and La Ratosa.
, popularly known as "El Tempranillo", is the epitome of the Andalusian bandit, a figure that greatly interested romantic European writers and travellers. "El Tempranillo" was born in Jauja in 1805 and while still very young killed a neighbour, apparently over a love affair. To evade justice he sought refuge in the mountains, where he soon formed his own gang of bandits.