Velez Malaga, Malaga andalucia spain

VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA


The busy market town of Vélez-Málaga is located nearly 5 km inland from Torre Del Mar, enclosed by subtropical vegetation. As specified in the year 2009 census, there are approximately 74,190 inhabitants (“Veleños”) in the town of Vélez-Málaga, which makes them the third town in the city in terms of population. The entire town extends up to approximately 158 Km2, and has an altitude of nearly 60 m above sea level. The town of Vélez-Málaga can be reached within 35 km from the town’s capital.


The town was vital in both Roman times, under the name of Menoba, and Moorish when as Ballix-Malaca (Fortress of Málaga) it played a crucial part with regards to conquering what has often been a tempestuous area. During the year 1487, Ferdinand conquered the town of Vélez-Malaga and the Christian flag was raised on the castle’s battlements as the Moors were ejected. This victory made way for the fall of the Nasrid city merely five years after. There were additionally a couple of Phoenician remains of cemeteries and tombs which bear witnessed to an even older history.


Capital of La Axarquía, Vélez-Málaga, otherwise simply known as “Vélez”, is the heart of the town’s agricultural area, famous for its strawberries and vineyards, which produces the muscatel grapes from which the famous Málaga wines are manufactured.


Notwithstanding the traces of human presence dating back to the pre-historic times, the first historical mentioned of a settlement in the region is connected to a Phoenician colony (during the 8th century B.C.). Additionally, the Romans had settlements in this regions and produced “garum”.


Vélez-Málaga was found by the Moors subsequent to their conquest of Spain. During the 13th to 14th century, it was one of the principal towns of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. The population growth stimulated the population to build outside the walls.


The town surrendered to the Christian army ofFerdinand II of Aragon during the 27th of April, year 1487. During this, nearly all of the Muslim inhabitants left the town, or were forced to leave, and then replaced by Christian colonists from Castile.


Throughout the course of the War Of The Spanish Succession, the sea facing towards the town was the seat of the “Battle Of Vélez-Málaga” during the 23rd of August, year 1704, between the Franco-Spanish and the Anglo-Dutch navy. During the 19th century, 60% of the town’s population was killed as a result of being infected by yellow fever. A railroad connecting the town of Vélez-Málaga towards Torre Del Mar was built during the early 20th century.


Finally, from 1960s onwards, the said town experienced a sudden progress in tourism.


There are countless of remarkable sights in the town of Vélez-Málaga, and a few of the many includes: the castle antiquities located on the hill above the town; the Church of Santa Maria La Mayor; Church of St. Francis; Church of Nuestra Señora De La Encarnación; Church of San Juan Bautista; the childhood home of Miguel De Cervantes; the Palacio Del Marqués De Beniel; the convent of the Carmelites; Royal Gate and Antequera Gate remains; Castle of the Marquis; Coastal watch towers, etc.


Those are, as mentioned, a few of the many monumental landmarks which can be seen in the town of Vélez-Málaga.