Almargen

Location

Guadalteba

Click to enlarge images below:

Interesting Facts of Almargen

Surface Area: 34.1 square kilometres

Population: 2,153

What the natives are called: Almargeños

Outstanding Sights: Inmaculada Concepción church, Roman necropolis in the Sierra de Rebollo mountains, “Tartessos en el Guadalteba” visitor centre

Geographical Location: in the western part of the Antequera region, within the River GuadalTeba area. The municipality adjoins the province of Seville; the village is 105 kilometres from Málaga capital and lies 510 metres above sea level. Average annual rainfall is 500 litres per square metre and the average temperature is 15 ºC

Except for the area closest to the Ronda mountains, where the topography is steep and irregular, most of the municipal area of Almargen is made up of farmlands. Thus, there are only gentle changes in altitude and at most the terrain shows only a few undulations whose extremes of elevation are less than 200 metros. This makes it an ideal place for productive agriculture (grain, sunflowers and olives), a fact that even the first inhabitants of Almargen knew how to take advantage of.

The highly suitable nature of these lands for cultivation and the easy access to the region favoured human settlement and the passage of goods since very ancient times in this area, at least since the late Neolithic age as shown by archaeological relics discovered by chance during the construction of a road.

With the arrival of the Phoenicians the region experienced its first economic awakening, due mainly to the fact that the transportation route between Tartesos and Mainake lead through this municipality. Centuries later, the Romans built the Vía XI, which joined Antikaria and Acinipo, that is to say Antequera and Ronda la Vieja (Old Ronda). This route also passed over the territory of Almargen. From these facts it is reasonable to think that Almargen has been a strategic point with considerable economic activity for centuries.

Following the Romanisation of the area, which in the Antequera region was especially intense, the history of Almargen seems to enter a period of suspension that does not end until after the Arabic era, of which the only things that remain are the name of the municipality and some ceramics that were discovered in the valley formed by the Rivers Corbones and Almargen. Once the territory had been conquered by Christian troops, the history of this village parallels that of other nearby villages.

Road Directions

From the city of Málaga, take the N-331 to where it connects on the outskirts of Antequera with the A-92 and follow that highway towards Seville. The turning for Campillos via the A-384 will be seven kilometres ahead. Continue on that road past Campillos until you get to Almargen.

Full graphical path: http://bit.ly/q4Vopg

Tourist Info

Almargen
Ayuntamiento, C/ Corredera, 39
Almargen
Málaga
29330

Tel: +34 952 18 20 02

Fax: +34 952 18 20 39

Send an email

Website:

Documents

Socios

What to See in Almargen

The Inmaculada Concepción parish church stands very close to the main square of the village. Its construction dates from the sixteenth century, although its present day appearance is due to the alterations that were done to it in the following century. The church’s façade is in the Mannerist style but its belfry is clearly baroque. The central nave preserves some splendid Mudéjar loop roof frames. In addition, the Roman necropolis in the Rebollo mountain range is of great archaeological interest. This archaeological site indicates that the area was inhabited by prehistoric men in as early as the Copper Age. Centuries later, there were Ibero-Romans and Islamic settlements. The necropolis is remarkable, with its man-made caves of El Almirón. Visitors must reach the site on foot across dirt roads. You can make an appointment at the Town Hall calling (+34) 952 182 002　 or (+34) 952 182 527. The site offers extraordinary remains like a phallic idol, a stele from the Bronze Age or a prehistoric primitive sword.

"Tartessos en el Guadalteba" is a visitor centre
that provides information about Tartessians in the Guadalteba valley. It is housed in the former water supply facility, one of Almargen’s landmarks. Inside the centre, visitors will be able to admire the well-known phallic idol symbolising fertility, the Tartessian stele with an inscription, the warrior figure with his spear and shield, and the oldest bronze sword among those found in the province of Málaga. In addition, the place exhibits hundreds of tools and explains how they were used. Hours: Tue-Sat, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 4:00-7: 00 p.m.; Sun, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays, except public holidays. Telephones: (+34) 952 182 002　 and (+34) 952 182 527.

Tourist Info

Almargen
Ayuntamiento, C/ Corredera, 39
Almargen
Málaga
29330

Tel: +34 952 18 20 02

Fax: +34 952 18 20 39

Send an email

Website:

Documents

Socios

Almargen’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

Almargen’s Gastronomy

The culinary art of this locality, as in a large part of the Antequera region, is closely related to the products of its fertile irrigated farmlands. Asparagus stands out among all other such products in Almargen, which is why the most typical dishes of this municipality have asparagus as the main ingredient. However, the famous porra Antequerana (a cold soup), and setas (mushrooms) should be given almost equal rank. In a separate category, but no less outstanding, are all the pork products.

The patron saint fiestas in honour of San Cosme and San Damián are held in late September (26 and 27). The village is decorated and the residents enjoy numerous artistic, entertainment and sporting activities. There is a very similar festive programme during the fair, which takes place in the first week of August.

On the last Sunday in May is the Virgen de Fátima pilgrimage, which is held in the La Saucedilla area.

The earliest Holy Weeks celebrations in Almargen date back to the year 1695, when the Fraternity of Cristo de la Cruz was founded. Two centuries later, in 1896, the Fraternity of Jesús Nazareno was created. Both organisations went on hiatus at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and it was only in 1938 that Holy Week came back to life in Almargen. However, only one fraternity has survived, that of Santísimo Cristo de la Vera-Cruz y la Virgen de los Dolores.

In July, the town plays host to Viga’s Summer Festival, an independent music event that draws the demo competition winning bands plus a guest artist. Five concerts by well-established and new bands.