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The
municipality of Alora is made up of the most characteristic geography of the
entire territory of Malaga. Because of its location,
practically in the centre of the province, the most diverse landscapes come
together in this area, ranging from such rugged and quite high mountain masses
as the Sierra de Huma (1,191 metres) to the gentle landscapes on the banks
of the River Guadalhorce, and including the imposing Desfiladero de los Gaitanes
(Los Gaitanes Gorge), which is without a doubt one of the most striking geographic
features to be found in Spain. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Alora please contact us.
In keeping with this diversity, the crops and forests within the municipal boundaries of Alora likewise show a great difference among themselves, so that while in the broad valley of the Guadalhorce citrus and fruit trees are the most abundant species, olive and almond groves and brush lands typify the area of the Mountains of Malaga, while pines and the occasional remnant of old live oak groves cover the lands closest to the adjoining Antequera region.
Human presence in this region dates back to prehistory, judging from traces found at Hoyo del Conde, and the passage of Turdetans and Phoenicians is verified. The latter promoted trade here, and in fact, the foundation of the Castle is Phoenician in origin, although it is true that it was the Romans who completed and extended this fortress.
This locality achieved great splendour under Roman rule, and some relics remain that have made it possible to reconstruct the history of that era, such as the “miliario” (milestone) on which appears the inscription “Municipium Iluritanum”, dated 79 A.D. It can be deduced from this that Alora was a Roman settlement under Roman law in the times of Domicianus.
The Vandals took over the former Iluro in the fifth century. Ruins from this period are preserved at the fortress located on the mount of Las Torres, whose defences are unequivocally the type of construction carried out by the Visigoths.
The Muslim invasion at first was carried out very peacefully, since the residents of the city could keep their religion and customs in exchange for paying the invader the tribute that was agreed upon. The most significant events of this era were closely linked to the rebellion of Omar Ben Hafsun, whose stronghold Bobastro is very close to Alora.
On numerous occasions the Christians besieged the city. Alfonso XI, Juan II and Enrique IV successively attempted to take Alora so as to leave clear the road towards Málaga, but it was not until 10 June 1484 that the troops of the Catholic Monarchs finally took this place after nine days of combat.
Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the village experienced a notable economic resurgence, no doubt due to a number of illustrious personages who lived there. Alora was entirely separated from the municipality of Málaga in 1628, as stated in the act signed by Felipe IV
Fiestas
The Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Alora ranks as the most popular festivity
not just among Aloreños but also among many visitors who flock to the
locality on those dates to witness the “Despedida” (Farewell)
ceremony, which has been designated a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest
in Andalusia.
On Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday), two of this
village’s most distinguished cofradías (brotherhoods), those
of Jesús Nazareno and La Dolorosa, perform a moving encounter in the
plaza that, not coincidentally, bears the name by which this ritual is known,
La Despedida. The images greet one another from their magnificent thrones,
whose bearers must carry out the complicated manoeuvre of inclining them,
as in a greeting, and seeing that everything turns out as the village expects.
The music and the acclamations from the crowd heighten the emotionalism of
this event.
The patron saint fiestas in honour of San Paulino are celebrated in early
June with various popular activities and a livestock fair. The fair arrives
in early August with a programme for all tastes, but the contest for “sopa
perota”, a typical local dish, will most attract the attention of the
visitor. Another very popular fiesta is the pilgrimage to the Nuestra Señora
de las Flores convent on 8 September.
The flamenco tradition has especially deep roots in Alora, so a Festival de
Cante Grande (traditional flamenco singing) is held in July to promote and
enable new local talent. It should be kept in mind that students of flamenco
consider Alora to be the cradle of the “malagueña” (traditional
fandango style songs).
Food
To some extent the fame of “sopa perota” has overshadowed
the great culinary variety of this region, which is primarily based on the
excellent products of its fertile farmlands.
The recipe for sopa perota seems simple in principle, since its ingredients
are nothing more than a sofrito (fried tomato sauce) mixed with water and
pieces of bread, and which, is usually accompanied by whatever fruits are
in season (grapes, prickly pears, oranges and even cucumbers and raw onions).
The complicated part is achieving the right proportion and the distinctive
taste of this dish.
Salmorejo (a sauce containing vinegar, olive oil and pepper), migas (a dish
made from fried bread crumbs), gachas (a soup of flour and seasonings), majillo
de espárragos (a chilled soup with asparagus) and such pastries as
empanadillas de polvo de batata (sweet potato pies) and “oven-fresh”
roscos (a spiral pastry), along with pork products, complete the typical traditional
cuisine of Alora. To this should be added bolos, a kind of scrambled egg dish
prepared with leftovers from the sopa perota, a little olive oil and onions.
How to get there:
Take the A-357 from the city of Malaga
and continue on the A-343. You will go past Pizarra
and arrive at Alora six kilometres farther along.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza de Fuente Arriba, 15 (29500). Telephone: 952 496 100; Fax:
952 497 000
Property for sale Alora
Alora Property
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