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The
municipality of Mijas takes in all that country between the mountain range
that gives it its name and the sea. The terrain thus ascends in a short distance
and at times rather abruptly from sea level on the coast to the highest peak
in the territory (1,130 metres). The ravines, peaks and more or less gentle
hills still have part of their indigenous vegetation despite the area’s
spectacular urban development making it ever more difficult to maintain grazing
lands and olive groves, which yield little income in this day and age. For
more information about property for
sale in Spain in or near Mijas please contact us.
Nevertheless, the rugged nature of the landscape and a certain respect for the surroundings have kept golf courses, brick and cement from hiding the natural beauty of this municipality, where the mountains and the village itself continue to be the main points of reference. The coastal zone, on the other hand, is practically urbanised from the boundary of Fuengirola to that of Marbella with the exception of a few rocky areas that remain intact. This municipality, like others in the province of Malaga, has three centres of population. In this case they are Mijas Pueblo, Las Lagunas and Cala de Mijas. The first of these is a classic whitewashed Andalusian village of Moorish origin that contains the monuments and the administrative centre. Most of the municipal services and part of the building developments are in Las Lagunas while Cala de Mijas, squarely within the coastal zone, is completely given over to residential and beach tourism.
There are facts that confirm that Mijas used to belong to Turdetania while other traces attest to the presence of Greeks and Phoenicians, who set about exploiting the area’s mineral wealth. The first historic reference to the village, however, is by the geographer Ptolemy of the School of Alexandria, who must have been in these lands in the second century A. D. or gathered information from someone who knew them very well, judging by how exactly he describes some places. The locality was called Tames during the Roman era, and there is every indication that it generated remarkable economic activity due to its proximity to the Apian Way that linked the cities of Cadiz and Malaga. The Arabs named it Mixa, from which the Christians derived the modern name of Mijas.
The Muslims took over the village very soon after landing on the Iberian Peninsular. They were already governing it in 714 and doing so quite profitably, since they permitted the inhabitants to continue to possess their property and practice their religion and customs in exchange for a certain percentage of the agricultural and livestock production. The Muslims’ good relations with the Mozarabs were obvious in the time of the strongman Omar Ben Hafsún, with whom they maintained cordial and beneficial relations since they needed one another mutually. With the death of Omar Ben Hafsún, Abderramán III re-conquered the area.
Mijas resisted the attacks of the Christian army until the conquest of Malaga in 1487. When they learned of that city’s surrender the residents of Mijas decided that an unconditional surrender would be the best option. The emissaries that were sent to Malaga to carry out the surrender were taken prisoner and some were sold as slaves. In 1494 the municipality’s land was divided among Old Christians. The locality was granted the status of “villa” (royal burgh) in 1521 as a reward for their loyalty to Carlos I during the Comuneros rebellion and Juana la Loca also declared it to be exempt from payment of sales taxes (“alcabalas”).
Mijas was the scene centuries later of an important historical event that took place on 2 December 1831. General Torrijos landed on the beach of El Charcón with 52 companions. They went across the municipal territory towards the mountains, from which they came down to Alhaurín de la Torre to seek shelter in a mansion that belonged to the Count of Mollina. Days later, on 11 December, the general and his men were executed by firing squad on the beaches of San Andrés in the city of Malaga for having stood up the absolutism of Fernando VII.
Fiestas
Each of the three population centres holds its own fair. Las Lagunas gets
things moving in the first fortnight in June. A grand cavalcade travels through
the main streets of this centre to open the days of festivities, which are
held at the fairgrounds. The Municipal and Youth booths are the most animated,
as it is there that the musical performances take place. There are horse shows
and fishing and amateur radio competitions. A large fireworks display brings
the days of revelry to a close. Cala de Mijas waits until the second fortnight
in July to stage its festivities, which begin with a parade of “gigantes
and cabezudos” (giant grotesque figures) in which musical bands, majorettes
and the Queen of the Fair and her ladies in waiting also march. There are
different musical performances every day in the official booths, while entertainment
options are increased by flamenco, sand castle, fishing and masquerade competitions,
as well as sports tournaments for golf, clay shooting, indoor football, tennis,
etc. It all concludes with a colourful and exciting fireworks display.
In Mijas Pueblo the fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Peña take place in the second week of September. On the first day a gaudy parade of “gigantes and cabezudos” travels through the main streets of the village to the sound of musical bands that accompany the crowded entourage. On 8 September, the day of the patron saint, the Virgen de la Pena is conveyed from the parish church to her hermitage after first receiving a floral offering. There are musical performances every day during the festivals and the most varied activities and competitions for both youngsters and adults. There are dressage exhibitions, ring races for horsemen and a “loco rally” at the Plaza de Toros. Villagers and visitors alike attend the monumental “paellada” (paella banquet) and the traditional dance competitions. A fireworks display announces that the fiesta is over until the same time next year.
For several years now the Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña has been the site of the Día Internacional de los Pueblos (International People’s Day), which consists of multicultural street parties, folklore and ethnic performances and jazz and Celtic music concerts. Visitors have the chance to sample dishes and drinks from every place in the world without leaving the premises. The stands participate in a competition in which prizes are given for various categories.
Food
Due to the presence of large numbers of foreign residents this municipality’s
cuisine has been expanded with countless dishes that were practically unknown
a few years ago in this place, where now one can speak of a cuisine that is
representative of the five continents. Nevertheless, the village has preserved
its culinary tradition, whose most notable characteristic dishes are salmorejo
(a thick cold soup) and soups of widely different kinds, such as maimones
(made with bread and olive oil), cachorreñas (made with tart oranges),
ajo (garlic) and gazpachuelo (a cold soup). Buñuelos (fritters) and
hornazos (a pastry containing a hard-boiled egg) make up this municipality’s
native confectionery contribution.
How to get there:
You must take the Mediterranean Expressway (AP-7; N-340) from the
Costa del Sol. If you leave Malaga going towards
Cadiz once you are past Benalmadena
you must take the A-368 (the signs are very clear) to Mijas. If you leave
from Fuengirola in the direction of Malaga
you must likewise take the Mediterranean Expressway and the A-387 to Mijas.
Tourist information:
Tourism Office, Plaza Virgen de la Peña (29650). Telephone:
952 48 59 00; Fax: 952 486 694.
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