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All
tourism slogans and campaigns, some more than others, are inspired by a reality
that is more or less verifiable, and the traveller determines the veracity
of the slogan during his visit to the area in question. In the case of Competa,
no one can doubt that the nickname “Cornisa del Mediterráneo”
(“Cornice of the Mediterranean”) fits this locality like a glove.
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for sale in Spain in or near Competa please contact us.
Indeed, the white of the town’s buildings juts out against a landscape that is overlooked by the great heights of the Tejeda and Almijara mountain ranges and stretches out in quest of the Mediterranean over a hilly country covered with the grapevines that yield its famous wine. One of the most representative images that the visitor will retain of La Axarquía will certainly be that provided by this municipality.
This is a municipality that, like so many others of the province of Malaga, has no documented history until the fifteenth century, but considering the characteristics of the territory-abundant water, mountain refuges, pleasant temperatures and its status as a link between the provinces of Granada and Malaga -it seems probable that it contained human settlements in prehistoric times. At this time, though, there are no archaeological finds to support this hypothesis.
Competa appears by name in written records
for the first time in 1487, when the corregidor (magistrate) of Vélez,
which by then was in the hands of the Christians, urged the population to
submit to the new owners. This indicates that until that date the place must
have been no more than a farming community. The Moriscos (Moors) of Competa,
like most of those in La Axarquía, joined those that had already risen
up and established strongholds in Peñón de Frigiliana
–a place that was linked in the sixteenth century and ever afterwards
to the history of La Axarquía by the part it was to play- until the
Christian troops overcame the Moorish resistance on 12 June 1569. Although
there were numerous casualties among the defenders, some escaped and continued
to harass the Christians wherever they least expected it, but not for very
long.
The town was practically abandoned and was repopulated by long-time Christians
from Puente Genil, Estepa, Baena, Seville
and other localities that had already been retaken from the Muslims. The document
from the first marriage contracted between established Christians in the town
is preserved in the parish church. The year was 1573.
Fiestas
On 20 January, the day of the town’s patron saint Sebastián,
the Feria del Barrio (Neighbourhood Fair) is held next to the hermitage of
the saint, who is carried in a procession after the local residents have enjoyed
a picnic meal. On the day of San Blas (February) the “bendición
de las roscas” (“blessing of the rosca pastries”) is celebrated
in the parish church. Loops can still be placed through the rosca with which
to carry it around the neck after it is blessed, so that, whoever wears it,
according to tradition, is protected against throat disorders.
On the day of La Cruz (3 May), the townspeople come on foot to the area known
as Cruz del Monte (Mountain Cross), where a picnic is held. The day of San
Juan is the day to “sanjuanear” (“celebrate San Juan”),
which in Cómpeta usually means a meal in the country with friends and
family. In early September (6 and 7) bonfires are lit at different points
in and round the town in what is known as “Día de las Lumbres”
(“Day of the Fires”). It concludes with a small street party.
One of the most remarkable events during Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the Vía
Crucis (Way of the Cross) on Good Friday, which begins at seven in the morning.
This celebration is also known as “Procesión de los hombres”
(“Men’s Procession”), since only males participate in it.
At night the Soledad parade, or “Procesión de las mujeres”
(“Women’s Procession”) takes place. In this parade, the
statue of the Virgin is accompanied exclusively by women.
And finally, although not in chronological order, mention must be made of
“La Noche del Vino” (“Wine Night”, 15 August), a celebration
that took shape in 1975 although its origin is extremely ancient, from the
time when it was customary before going out to the farmsteads and vineyards
for the grape harvest to have a “farewell party”. Years ago, there
was dancing of local Cómpeta fandangos and consumption of wine, brandy
and nuts and dried fruits until the wee hours.
Nowadays “La Noche del Vino” is a fully-fledged folk festival
attended by thousands of visitors who know they are assured of shows, fun
and the opportunity to consume typical local products.
Food
Dealing as we are with a wine-producing region, there is no way not
to mention its wines first in this section. Its varieties of muscatel, semisweet
and dry, are known inside and outside the province of Malaga,
such is the quality of these vintages. Speaking strictly of the culinary arts,
potaje de hinojos (fennel stew) and migas (a dish made of bread crumbs) are
the most characteristic dishes of the region. Lomo al ajillo (grilled pork
loin with garlic), choto (kid), la asadura a lo pastoril (a dish made of liver,
potatoes and seasonings) and potajes de vigilia (stews made with chickpeas,
potatoes, codfish and vegetables) complete the varied cuisine of Cómpeta.
How to get there:
Of the three access routes to Cómpeta (all starting from the
Mediterranean Highway), perhaps the most interesting is the one that begins
on the A-6204 at the Torrox exit. Along this road
the visitor has the opportunity to pass through Trayamar, an archaeological
site of Paleo-Punic tombs from the seventh century B. C. that are considered
the most important of their type in the Mediterranean area. You can also get
to Cómpeta via the A-6203 from Algarrobo,
passing through Sayalonga. Another option is
to take the MA-117 at Velez-Malaga and arrive
at Competa after passing through Arenas, Daimalos
and Corumbela.
Tourist information:
Tourism Office, Constitución Avenue (29754). Telephone: 952 553 685.
www.competa.es
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