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The
municipality of Benahavís stretches across the foothills of the mountain
range and is shaped by three rivers, each forming its own valley. It is one
of the most mountainous areas of the Western Costa
del Sol, with a richly diverse landscape and some truly admirable places
to visit. For more information about property
for sale in Spain in or near Benahavis please contact us.
It is an interior location but due to its proximity to the coast, it has of
necessity been a participant in the development that has occurred there. While
the village centre preserves all the character of the White Villages, large
housing developments have sprung up in its environs, especially to the south,
along with magnificent golf courses. It is an important detail, however, that
70 percent of the surface area of this municipality has been declared an “Environmentally
Significant Mountain Complex”, a designation that protects all that
territory from development excesses.
The Rivers Guadaiza, Guadalmina and Guadalmedina meander through large expanses of forest in which pines, live oaks and cork oaks predominate. The valleys of these rivers have historically been used as routes into the Ronda highlands. There is no doubt they were so used from the time of the Phoenicians until that of the Arabs as there is proof of this in different places not far from the village. These lands were therefore of significant strategic value since very ancient times.
The first nucleus of a village, however, was
formed during the Arabic era. It seems to have been founded in the late eleventh
century and in the shadow of the Montemayor castle. This fortress witnessed
the entire history of the village, from the clashes among the Muslims themselves
until their confrontations with the Christians, and much later it was also
a scene of the struggle between the Spanish and French during the Napoleonic
invasion in the early nineteenth century.
The castle and the village passed into the hands of the Christians when, in
1485, the Catholic Monarchs took Marbella and
its surroundings, which included Benahavís and the village of Daidín.
This entire territory was granted to the Count of Cifuentes in 1492 in payment
for the services he had rendered to the crown of Castile. It would not be
until 1572 that, with the approval of Felipe II, Benahavís became independent
of Marbella.
Fiestas
The village fair is held from 11 to 15 August. During this time there are
well-attended activities culminating with a Rocío mass and a procession.
The entertainment and religious elements are likewise joined in the Virgen
del Rosario pilgrimage on 7 October, and the Semana Santa (Holy Week) is also
a celebration with deep traditional roots in Benahavís.
Día Gastronómico (Gastronomic Day) is held in June. Some call
this village the dining room of the Costa del Col and many of the restaurants
in the area have become famous throughout the province. On this day they offer
the best from their menus right at the entrance to the locality.
Food
In the field of gastronomy, the dominant tradition in this area is
of stews based on lamb and game. The most characteristic dishes are therefore
guiso de conejo and guiso de perdiz (rabbit and partridge stews), cochinillo
(suckling pig), cordero guisado (stewed lamb) done in many different ways,
or solomillo a la brasa (grilled pork steak). Rabo de toro (oxtail stew),
venado (venison) and chorizos al agua (a sausage preparation)-really all kinds
of pork products-are other examples of this region’s best cuisine. Due
to its proximity to the coasa, international dishes are well represented.
How to get there:
To get to Benahavís from the AP-7 expressway or the old N-340,
get onto the A-6205 at San Pedro de Alcántara and it will lead straight
to the village.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza del Castillo, 3 (29679). Telephone: 952 855 025; Fax: 952
855 177
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