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It
seems almost a paradox, when one considers its population and the role it
plays in tourism and the fact that it has eight kilometres of beaches, that
the municipal area of Fuengirola is only 10 square kilometres. Possibly the
paradox is explained by the fact that when it came to distributing territory
no one could have foreseen that the tourism explosion of the twentieth century
would shatter, not just the barriers imposed by the Administration, but even
more the nineteenth century idea of the natural development of municipalities.
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With its own boundaries overrun by formidable tourism growth, the city has found it necessary to direct its development toward the territory of Mijas, with the curious result that half of a particular street belongs to Fuengirola and the other half to Mijas, the municipality with which it shares most of its boundary. Historical records show that it was Phoenician colonisers who founded Fuengirola, although it seems probable that Bastulos and other tribes had been present in this enclave halfway between Cadiz and Malaga. The Phoenicians set up a salted fish trading post at what they called Suel, and from there they traded with the other Mediterranean cities. The Romans made Suel a federated municipality that was assigned by Augustus to the “conventus” of Gades (Cadiz). It is believed that in those times there was a very powerful oligarchy at this place and that its inhabitants worshipped Neptune.
There are hardly any records of the Visigoth era but under Muslim rule during the caliphate of Abderramán III there was an enlargement of the castle that stands out so prominently on a hill in the western part of the city contiguous to the river that bears the city’s name, Fuengirola. It was in this castle that Enrique II of Castile and the Nazarite Yusuf I signed a truce in 1340 that allowed a resurgence of commerce. The fortress has now been restored and suitably adapted as an open-air auditorium. The Arabs changed the name from Suel to Sohail, the name of a star of the constellation Argos that, curiously and according to legend, could only be seen from the castle itself.
After the conquest of the region by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487 the castle was destroyed but the frequent pirate raids that afflicted the Mediterranean coast necessitated its reconstruction. Years afterward, during the War of Independence, French, English and Spaniards fought over the fortress due to its status as a strategic defensive location. The modern name of the town derives from the “girolas”, craft that Genovese sailors based in this area used in fishing for small fish or “boliche”, a word that also was also used in the name of the former detached township of Santa Fe de los Boliches, now a part of the town.
Fiestas
In Fuengirola the fiestas begin with Holy Week, days that combine magnificent
processions with the opening of the bathing season, since the region’s
benign climate permits this except in the rare case of rain. On the eve of
San Juan (23 June), Fuengiroleños also burn the “júas”,
and on the day of the Virgen del Carmen in July the little neighbourhood of
Los Boliches especially commemorates its maritime tradition with the bearing
of the Virgin in a procession, first on the fishing craft-a beautiful ritual
performed in all coastal communities in Málaga-and afterwards through
the streets of the town.
The summer months, though, are when the town becomes a veritable beehive of festive activity. In July the Festival de Música y Danza Ciudad de Fuengirola (Music and Dance Festival of the City of Fuengirola) is held at Castillo Sohail, with leading figures and the most renowned orchestras participating. The Festival del Teatro Musical (Theatre Music Festival) has recently been added to the festive calendar, and attracts the best musical shows of the moment to the Palacio de la Paz. In August the “Veladilla del Veraneante”, which brings the summer festivals to a close, serves as the prelude to the great Feria de Octubre (October Fair) in honour of the Virgen del Rosario.
The Rosario fiestas are considered to be among
those that are the most popular and draw the most participants in Andalusia,
and are internationally famous for the equestrian events that take place during
those days. There are bullfights, carriage horse exhibitions, and dressage
and riding shows, all coordinated with the best flamenco singing and dancing
acts. The nights are endowed with a special excitement both on the fairgrounds-a
model that has been exported to other places in Andalusia- and inside the
numerous booths. But the fair’s starring role goes to the horse, which
during these days stamps the most famous image of this celebration on the
entire town. For four days in late March or early April the Feria Internacional
de los Pueblos (International People’s Fair) is held. This is a gastronomy
and folklore show in which more than 30 nationalities and Spanish regions
participate.
Food
The highly cosmopolitan nature of the town has caused its cuisine
to conform to this reality, so it is not easy to speak of native cuisine except,
of course, for fish caught off its coast, which are generally served fried.
“Pescado a la sal” or “pescado al horno” (fish baked
in salt) is also considered a traditional dish, as is of course rice with
seafood.
How to get there:
The Mediterranean Expressway (A-7; N-340) perfectly links the town
of Fuengirola with the rest of the Costa del Sol. It is also possible to get
here by train (Route C-2 of the “Cercanías” or commuter
line) from Malaga, Torremolinos
and Arroyo de la Miel (Benalmadena) or from
the airport.
Tourist information:
Tourism Office, 6 Jesús Santos Rein Avenue (29640). Telephone:
952 467 457; Fax: 952 465 100
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