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To
understand certain things you sometimes have to admit that truth can surpass
fiction. A case in point is the location chosen for this village, which was
eminently justified a few centuries ago due to defensive considerations but
that nowadays can’t help but surprise even the visitor who has informed
himself beforehand about the peculiarities of Comares. For more information
about property for sale in Spain
in or near Comares please contact us.
In the case of this municipality it is almost pointless to describe the characteristics of the landscape because once you get to the village you will command a view of an expanse of terrain from the mountains to the sea, where not only the geographic features are visible but also the crops and vegetation of an area that is considerably larger than that of the municipality, which is known with good cause as the “Balcony of La Axarquía”.
The urban district stretches across two hills
at an altitude of nearly 700 metres. In such a mountainous territory as the
province of Malaga, such heights are not especially
noteworthy but in this case, considering the dizzying steepness of some of
the slopes of the natural watchtower that is Comares, they are more than commonly
picturesque.
The fact that there is no easy access to this village has spared it from the
development excesses that, with such “joy”, have been perpetrated
in other places, so a stroll through its maze of streets is something that
the visitor will enjoy and will certainly recommend.
The Romans were aware of the advantages of
this lookout point and apparently set up a military post on it, and the Arabs
later erected a fortress-the Comares castle-that along with those of Zalía
and Bentomiz made up the three defensive mainstays of the La Axarquía
region. On the Masmullar hill, not far from the village, the ruins have been
found of a city from the ninth and tenth centuries A. D. whose cistern has
been preserved and was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. Some
researchers have seen these ruins as being those of Bobastro, so closely linked
to Omar Ben Hafsun.
After a series of alliances and betrayals between Moors and Christians the
village was surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs in 1487 by its last Muslim
castle commandant, Mamad el Jabis, and years later it formed part of the lands
of Diego Fernández de Cordoba. It is known
that the Moorish population did not take part in the sixteenth century uprising
but nevertheless the residents of Comares were expelled and the area was repopulated
by people from other places.
Fiestas
The patron saint fiestas in honour of San Hilario de Poitiers are celebrated
on 14 January. After the religious ceremony, which consists of a mass after
which the saint is borne through the village streets in a procession, everyone
enjoys traditional paella while musical events are performed.
The fair is from 21 to 24 August. On these days, a full programme of events
is presented, ranging from ambiance-rich nights in the official marquee to
horse, bicycle and motorcycle races. Torch night is on 7 September and the
San Isidro pilgrimage is on 15 May.
When speaking of folklore, one must make mention of Comares’ “verdiales”,
(a traditional type of Malaga music). They are different
from other styles such as Montes and Almogia in
having a faster tempo. The “pandas de verdiales” (verdiales-performing
groups) of Comares justify their well-earned reputation for quality in every
one of their performances.
Food
Gazpachuelo (a soup containing scrambled egg and fish) and sopa de
puchero (a stew of meat and chickpeas), along with sopa de tomate (tomato
soup) and “ajocolorao” (a cold soup containing cod, garlic, and
lemon) are this area’s most outstanding culinary specialties. Gazpacho
and ajoblanco are consumed mainly in summer, while the local wine is to be
recommended at any time of the year.
How to get there:
One route to Comares starts at the city of Malaga.
Take the old Colmenar road, A-6103, to El Puerto
del León (960 metres). Immediately afterwards you must take the MA-166,
which later becomes the MA-165, to Comares. The route passes through superb
landscape.
The other route starts at the Mediterranean Expressway. Take the A-335 towards
Vélez and Alhama de Granada. At Trapiche
turn onto the MA-145 and once you are past Benamargosa
continue by way of the MA-169 and later the MA-169, which leads straight to
Comares.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza Balcón de la Axarquía (29195). Telephone: 952
509 233; Fax: 952 509300.
Comares
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