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The
lands of Benamocarra are an example of the less abrupt type of La Axarquía
landscape, with topographic features that lend diversity to the appearance
of the countryside but do so without being excessively rugged. Its territory
is a succession of hills, on one of which-La Quera- the village sits, while
the rest abound with olive, almond, orange and lemon trees and, since some
years back and just as in a large part of this region of La Axarquía,
the subtropical crops on which much of the local economy is based. For more
information about property for sale
in Spain in or near Benamocarra please contact us.
The urban district is entirely characterised by traditional architecture, with low houses of at most two stories marking out the streets and alleys, some of them very steep, and with small squares here and there, providing open spaces in the classic Moorish street plan.
The place’s name derives from the Arabic for “sons of Mukarran”, and its history, prior to the Christian conquest, is closely linked to that of the neighbouring villages. It is known that it was conquered by Fernando the Catholic after the taking of Velez Malaga in 1487, and that after the expulsion of the Moors in the sixteenth century it was repopulated by long-time Christians from Antequera, Puente Genil and Estepa, among other communities.
Many Moors left the village, however, before
these resettlements and even before the expulsion as a result of the abuses
committed by the Christians in violation of the terms of surrender. Some traces
of the Arabic era remain in the area of Pozo Luchina (Luchina well).
Fiestas
This locality’s best-attended fiesta is the San Isidro pilgrimage (15
May), which is customarily celebrated on the weekend nearest that date. As
is required, first comes the religious service, after which the saint is borne
in a procession to a place called Coto Escolar where all the scheduled events
are held, consisting of a good meal, dances and horseback ring races. At nightfall,
the saint returns to the church in a procession, but not before travelling
through the village streets amid a prolonged fireworks display.
On Resurrection Sunday, on the pretext of eating the traditional hornazos
(a kind of pastry), the villagers congregate along the banks of the River
Iznate where they enjoy a tasty meal that goes far beyond just hornazos.
Coto Escolar is also the site of the Candelaria fiesta in early September
when the fire ritual is the unchallenged attraction although bonfires, called
”patacos”, are also lit in the village.
The patron saint fiestas honouring the Cristo de la Salud (Christ of Health),
to whom the villagers are very devoted, are celebrated on the third Sunday
in October with great splendour.
Food
Since this village is included in the Olive Oil Route and the Raisin
Route, the area’s culinary art is recognised beyond the local surroundings.
Frito moruno con morcilla (a black pudding dish), ensalada de aguacate (avocado
salad) and gazpachuelo (a cold soup) head the recipe list, but one must add
coles “moreás”, perhaps the most characteristic dish within
this municipality and whose ingredients are cabbage, hot olive oil with garlic,
bell pepper and morcilla and chorizo sausages. Potaje de garbanzos con judías
verdes y acelgas (a stew of chickpeas, green kidney beans, and chard) is another
of the gastronomic mainstays of Benamocarra, and some outstanding confectionery
products are roscos de vino and roscos de anís (spiral pastries made,
respectively, with wine and anise) and, for Christmas, pirulíes (caramel
candy on a stick). This region’s muscatel wine is highly esteemed.
How to get there:
Access to Benamocarra from the Costa del Sol is by turning off the
Mediterráneo Expressway (A-7, N-340) onto the A-335 at Velez
Malaga. The MA-135 turns off that road and goes straight to Benamocarra.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Calle Zarzuela, 45 (29719). Telephone: 952 509 534; Fax: 952 509
570
Property for sale Benamocarra
Benamocarra
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