Arabs stayed in the Axarquía until 1487and it is one of the most influenced counties by them. One of the best experiences in which you can dive to evidence these Muslim roots is walking around the Axarquía Mudejar Route. This route runs along 40 kilometres passing across 5 villages located in the Nature Park Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama. Would you like to know the villages inside? Go on reading!
Arenas
Arenas is a beautiful white-washed village with narrow streets where you can feel its Mudejar heritage. The town was built at the bottom of a mountain where one of the most important Muslim strongholds in the zone, the Bentomiz castle, was located. Another monument that you cannot miss is ‘Santa Catalina Mártir’ parish church, from the 16th century, built over an ancient Mosque.
Árchez
A place not to be missed in our Mudejar Route is Árchez, known as the ‘Merinita’ jewel of the 12th century. Árchez is located on the foothills of the ‘Sierra de Tejeda y Almijara’, and you cannot leave without visiting the ‘Torre Alminar’ which remains intact since the 12th century and today it’s adjoined to the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, which was listed as National Monument in 1979.
Salares
One the villages which keeps its Arabs roots the most is Salares. The white of its houses contrasts with the green Nature Park ‘Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama’, where it’s located. The town’s most emblematic monuments are the parish of Santa Ana, the ‘Casa del Torreón’, the vestiges of the stronghold and the ancient Mosque’s remains.
Sedella
White houses decorated with flowers are the hallmark of Sedella, which retains a Mudejar air that will leave you speechless. Do not leave without visiting the church of San Andrés and the ancient “mansion-fortress” of the Lord of Sedella, one of the architectural gems located in this village.
Canillas de Aceituno
Culture and nature do mix in Canillas de Aceituno. Here you can enjoy the magnificent architecture of its streets while in the background you can see La Maroma, the highest peak in the province of Málaga, which is up to 2.066 meters high. The church of ‘Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San León Magno’, from the 16th century, the ‘Casa de los Diezmos’ o or the ‘Aljibe Árabe’ are the main examples of its architecture.
