Vélez-Málaga, Málaga
Encyclopedia
Vélez-Málaga is a municipality
and the capital of the Axarquía
district in the province of Málaga
, in the Spanish autonomous community
of Andalusia
. Locally it is referred to as Vélez. The municipality forms part of the Costa del Sol
region.
Vélez-Málaga itself is a market city, 4 km inland from Torre del Mar
but unlike the coastal resort not dominated by the tourist
industry.
n colony (8th century BC). Also the Romans had settlements in the area, and produced garum
.
Vélez-Málaga was founded by the Moors
after their conquest of Spain. In the 13th-14th century, it was one of the main cities of the Nasrid
Kingdom of Granada. The population growth spurred the population to build outside the walls.
Vélez-Málaga surrendered to the Christian army of Ferdinand II of Aragon
on 27 April 1487. In the occasion, most the Muslim inhabitants fled, or where forced to leave, being replaced by Christian colonists from Castile.
During the War of Spanish Succession, the sea facing the town was the seat of the battle of Vélez-Málaga (23 August 1704) between the Franco-Spanish and the Anglo-Dutch fleets. 60% of the population was killed by Yellow fever
in the 19th century. In the early 20th century the city was reached by a railroad connecting it to Torre del Mar
.
Starting from 1960s, Vélez-Málaga experienced a boom in tourism.
runs approximately every half hour from Vélez to Torre del Mar
, which has many shops and restaurants lacking in Vélez. Along the tramline are the state-of-the-art Torre del Mar hospital and a major shopping mall, El Ingenio. The bus terminal is also being expanded, with service through Torre, through María Zambrano
all the way to the Málaga Airport. Buses and trains to the larger cities of Spain are also available from Vélez through the transportation infrastructure.
Vélez-Málaga has an airport (Axarquía airport), and a fishing port. The Autovía del Mediterráneo crosses through the middle of its territory, with a junction to the carretera nacional (national highway) 340.
The municipality's boundaries include some 25 km of coastline. The Vélez River is the significant watercourse.
The city also includes an enclave, Lagos, which is bordered to the north by Sayalonga
, to the east by Torrox
, to the south by the Mediterranean, and to the west by Algarrobo.
y Valle-Niza.
procession, one of the most notable in Andalusia.
Vélez-Málaga is one of the last places in Europe where public cockfight
ing is conducted.
The town came under the Spanish crown, after Moorish
rule, in 1487.
s and immigrants from other parts of Spain appearing in every part of the municipality. Ethnic minority groups include Gypsies, a small Chinese
community, Islam
ic groups especially Moroccans
, sub-Saharan Africa
ns, and expatriates from other European Union
countries especially Germany and the United Kingdom. In 2003 there were 2,743 residents who did not have Spanish nationality.
Since 1990 there has been a movement, with its own political party, to separate Torre del Mar from Vélez.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
and the capital of the Axarquía
Axarquía
Axarquía is a comarca of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is the wedge-shaped area east of Málaga. Its name is possibly traced back to Arabic الشرقية ....
district in the province of Málaga
Málaga (province)
The Province of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the South, and by the provinces of Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada.Its area is 7,308 km²...
, in the Spanish autonomous community
Autonomous communities of Spain
An autonomous community In other languages of Spain:*Catalan/Valencian .*Galician .*Basque . The second article of the constitution recognizes the rights of "nationalities and regions" to self-government and declares the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation".Political power in Spain is...
of Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
. Locally it is referred to as Vélez. The municipality forms part of the Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the Mediterranean coastline of the Málaga province. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known costas: Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical...
region.
Vélez-Málaga itself is a market city, 4 km inland from Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar is a locality on the southern coast of Spain, part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, Axarquía, located in the province of Málaga.It is a popular summer tourist resort.-References:...
but unlike the coastal resort not dominated by the tourist
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
industry.
History
Despite traces of human presence dating to pre-historic times, the first historical mention of a settlement in the area is linked to a PhoeniciaPhoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
n colony (8th century BC). Also the Romans had settlements in the area, and produced garum
Garum
Garum, similar to liquamen, was a type of fermented fish sauce condiment that was an essential flavour in Ancient Roman cooking, the supreme condiment....
.
Vélez-Málaga was founded by the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
after their conquest of Spain. In the 13th-14th century, it was one of the main cities of the Nasrid
Nasrid dynasty
The Nasrid dynasty was the last Moorish and Muslim dynasty in Spain. The Nasrid dynasty rose to power after the defeat of the Almohad Caliphate in 1212 at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa...
Kingdom of Granada. The population growth spurred the population to build outside the walls.
Vélez-Málaga surrendered to the Christian army of Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand the Catholic was King of Aragon , Sicily , Naples , Valencia, Sardinia, and Navarre, Count of Barcelona, jure uxoris King of Castile and then regent of that country also from 1508 to his death, in the name of...
on 27 April 1487. In the occasion, most the Muslim inhabitants fled, or where forced to leave, being replaced by Christian colonists from Castile.
During the War of Spanish Succession, the sea facing the town was the seat of the battle of Vélez-Málaga (23 August 1704) between the Franco-Spanish and the Anglo-Dutch fleets. 60% of the population was killed by Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
in the 19th century. In the early 20th century the city was reached by a railroad connecting it to Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar is a locality on the southern coast of Spain, part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, Axarquía, located in the province of Málaga.It is a popular summer tourist resort.-References:...
.
Starting from 1960s, Vélez-Málaga experienced a boom in tourism.
Main sights
Notable sites include:- remains of a castle on the hill above the town
- church of Santa María la Mayor (1487), in GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
–MudéjarMudéjarMudéjar is the name given to individual Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity...
style, built over a previous mosque (whose minaret is the current bell tower) - Church of St. Francis (15th-16th centuries)
- church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
- church of San Juan Bautista
- childhood home of Don Miguel de CervantesMiguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. His magnum opus, Don Quixote, considered the first modern novel, is a classic of Western literature, and is regarded amongst the best works of fiction ever written...
- Palacio del Marqués de Beniel (1610–1616). It was designed by Miguel Delgado, also architect of the Málaga Cathedral.
- convent of the Carmelites (1699), in Baroque style. It has a Renaissance portal.
- remains of the walls, including the Royal Gate and the AntequeraAntequeraAntequera is a city and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia. It is known as "the heart of Andalusia" because of its central location among Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, and Seville...
Gate - Castle of the Marquis (18th century)
- coastal watch towers.
Transportation
The transportation infrastructure is currently being expanded to deal with the extensive growth. The tramTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
runs approximately every half hour from Vélez to Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar
Torre del Mar is a locality on the southern coast of Spain, part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, Axarquía, located in the province of Málaga.It is a popular summer tourist resort.-References:...
, which has many shops and restaurants lacking in Vélez. Along the tramline are the state-of-the-art Torre del Mar hospital and a major shopping mall, El Ingenio. The bus terminal is also being expanded, with service through Torre, through María Zambrano
María Zambrano
María Zambrano Alarcón was a Spanish essayist and philosopher.Zambrano studied under and was influenced by José Ortega y Gasset and went on to teach Metaphysics at Madrid University from 1931 to 1936...
all the way to the Málaga Airport. Buses and trains to the larger cities of Spain are also available from Vélez through the transportation infrastructure.
Vélez-Málaga has an airport (Axarquía airport), and a fishing port. The Autovía del Mediterráneo crosses through the middle of its territory, with a junction to the carretera nacional (national highway) 340.
Geography
Location and communication
Neighbouring municipalities are:- to the north La ViñuelaLa ViñuelaLa Viñuela is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalucía in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 10 kilometres from Vélez Málaga and 40 from the provincial capital. Near the village lies the reservoir known in English as...
and Canillas de AceitunoCanillas de AceitunoCanillas de Aceituno is a small village, located at the foot of the "La Maroma" mountains in Spain.-The name:The Village's name comes from the Latin "Cannillae" and the Arab word "Azeytuni"... - to the northeast, SedellaSedellaSedella is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 54 kilometres from Málaga, 23 from Vélez Málaga and 8 from Canillas de Aceituno. It has a population of approximately 500...
and Arenas - to the east, Algarrobo
- to the south, the Mediterranean
- to the west, Rincón de la VictoriaRincón de la VictoriaRincón de la Victoria is a municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, southern Spain.-History:Archaeological findings at the Cueva del Tesoro testify the human presence as early as the Palaeolithic Age...
and MacharaviayaMacharaviayaMacharaviaya, is a village in the mountains of Andalusia in the south of Spain.The village was built upon the ruins of an ancient Arabic settlement. Its name is derived from Arabic Machxar Abu Yahya, meaning "Abu Yahya's Court". It was the home of the noble Gálvez family, whose descendant...
, BenamocarraBenamocarraBenamocarra is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 5 kilometres from Vélez Málaga and 41 from the provincial capital. It has a population of approximately 3,000 residents...
and IznateIznateIznate is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 12 kilometres from Vélez-Málaga and c. 45 from the provincial capital Málaga.... - to the northwest, AlmácharAlmácharAlmáchar is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 35 kilometres from Málaga capital. It has a population of approximately 2,100 residents. It is the capital of the moscatel...
and BenamargosaBenamargosaBenamargosa is a town and municipality in the region of La Axarquía in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 11 kilometres from Vélez Málaga and 46 from the provincial capital. It has a population of...
.
The city also includes an enclave, Lagos, which is bordered to the north by Sayalonga
Sayalonga
Sayalonga is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 38 kilometres from the capital of Málaga and 12 from Vélez Málaga. It has a population of approximately 1,300 residents. The...
, to the east by Torrox
Torrox
Torrox is a municipality in the province of Málaga in Andalusia, southern Spain.It is frequented especially by German and British tourists. The city itself is divided into two sections: Torrox Costa on the sea and Torrox Pueblo, 4 km inland. Torrox is located in close proximity to Nerja. It has...
, to the south by the Mediterranean, and to the west by Algarrobo.
Districts
Almayate, Benajarafe, Cajiz, Caleta de Vélez, Chilches, El Capitán, Lagos, Los Puertas, Los Pepones, Mezquitilla, Trapiche, Triana, Torre del MarTorre del Mar
Torre del Mar is a locality on the southern coast of Spain, part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga, Axarquía, located in the province of Málaga.It is a popular summer tourist resort.-References:...
y Valle-Niza.
Urban districts
Barrio del Pilar, La Villa, Pueblo Nuevo de la Axarquía "Carabanchel", La Gloria, Capuchinos, Barrio Barcelona, Carretera de Arenas, Camino de Algarrobo, Camino viejo de Málaga, San Francisco.Culture
The most important event of the year is the Royal San Miguel festival, held at the end of September and the beginning of October each year. Other festivals celebrated include the Veladilla el Carmen, Santiago (St James) and Santa Ana. There is also a Holy WeekHoly Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
procession, one of the most notable in Andalusia.
Vélez-Málaga is one of the last places in Europe where public cockfight
Cockfight
A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters , held in a ring called a cockpit. Cockfighting is now illegal throughout all states in the United States, Brazil, Australia and in most of Europe. It is still legal in several U.S. territories....
ing is conducted.
The town came under the Spanish crown, after Moorish
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
rule, in 1487.
Demographics
Vélez is currently growning rapidly, with expatriateExpatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s and immigrants from other parts of Spain appearing in every part of the municipality. Ethnic minority groups include Gypsies, a small Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
community, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic groups especially Moroccans
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
ns, and expatriates from other European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
countries especially Germany and the United Kingdom. In 2003 there were 2,743 residents who did not have Spanish nationality.
Since 1990 there has been a movement, with its own political party, to separate Torre del Mar from Vélez.
Notable people from Vélez-Málaga
- María ZambranoMaría ZambranoMaría Zambrano Alarcón was a Spanish essayist and philosopher.Zambrano studied under and was influenced by José Ortega y Gasset and went on to teach Metaphysics at Madrid University from 1931 to 1936...
, philosopherPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational... - Fernando HierroFernando HierroFernando Ruiz Hierro is a retired Spanish footballer. He is mostly known for his spells with Real Madrid and Spain, appearing in more than 500 official games with the former and representing the latter on nearly 100 occasions, whilst appearing in four World Cups and two European...
, footballer - Federico Vahey, minister of justice under Queen Isabella IIIsabella II of SpainIsabella II was the only female monarch of Spain in modern times. She came to the throne as an infant, but her succession was disputed by the Carlists, who refused to recognise a female sovereign, leading to the Carlist Wars. After a troubled reign, she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of...
- Amparo MuñozAmparo MuñozAmparo Muñoz Quesada was a Spanish actress who, in 1974, became the first, and so far, only Spaniard to win the Miss Universe pageant.-Miss Universe 1974:Amparo Muñoz came from the town of Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia,...
, Miss Spain 1972, Miss Universe 1972Miss Universe 1972Miss Universe 1972 was held at Cerromar Beach Hotel in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, on July 29, 1972. Kerry Anne Wells earned Australia's first Miss Universe crown. The outgoing Miss Universe, Georgina Rizk of Lebanon, was not allowed to crown her successor due to government restrictions because of...
and actress