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The
municipality of Alameda lies in the Antequera
region in the northern part of the province of Malaga
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 Cordoba and Seville. Please
contact us regarding current property
for sale in Spain located in or near Alameda.
Due to its location Alameda was, like other neighbouring villages, a crossroads between the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Seville, so the first human settlements date back to the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic periods (2,500 B.C.), but the most numerous relics from past ages relate to the Roman domination.
From that time, except for the discovery of a “little treasure” from the sixth century (the Visigoth period), no documentation exists on which to rely in 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 distinguished part.
The locality passed into the hands of the Marquises of Estepa in the sixteenth century, and for a time 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 Malaga in the nineteenth century under the new administrative regime.
Fiestas
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 interpretations.
Food
This region is certainly one of the most fertile farming areas in the province
of Malaga, 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.
How to get there:
From Málaga take the A-45 (N-331) to the
outskirts of Antequera, and therejoint with the
A-92 and go towards Seville. Upon arrival at Mollina,
take the MA- 703, which leads to Alameda.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza de España, 5 (29530). Telephone: 952 710 025; Fax:
952 710 425
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