Alhaurín el Grande

Alhaurin el Grande © Michelle Chaplow
Alhaurin el Grande © Michelle Chaplow

 

Ermita de la Santa Veracruz
Ermita de la Santa Veracruz

Alhaurin El Grande

Alhaurin El Grande is a satellite town for many families working in the provincial capital Malaga. The outskirts provide new urbanisations and the old town is very much conserved.

History

Alhaurin El Grande has a rich history. In the forested areas south-east of the village of Alhaurín el Grande there are traces of Neolithic occupation: silent witnesses to the long history of human habitation of the area. A history longer than history itself.

By the time that the Romans arrived, the tiny Iberian settlement in the Sierra de Mijas was already well established, but if it had a name the Romans chose not to record it. Instead they gave it one of their own. The village became Lauro Nova. It was a spot apparently blessed by the gods: fertile, temperate, and surrounded by hills riddled with valuable mineral deposits. Roman villas popped up around the kernel of the village like dozens of Jack-in-the-Boxes springing open in rapid sequence. The hills are still dotted with their remains.

It was a golden age which became a little tarnished during the time of the Visigoths. The town was in no danger of disappearing, but its development was exceedingly slow. It was not until the Moors took it on and built it a fortress on a hilltop called Torres de Fahala that it began to move again. The Moors also gave it a new name: Alhaurín (Garden of Allah). Like the Romans before them, they linked the township to a second to which they gave the same name, distinguishing them as Alhaurín el Grande and Alhaurín de la Torre. To the Romans they had been Lauro Nova and Lauro Vetus.

The fort was destroyed in the destructive zeal of the Christian reconquest, but at least the village survived. Others close by, such as Benamaquis and Fahala were not so fortunate.

Alhaurín el Grande has survived a great deal. Waves of invaders, epidemics of plague, even an earthquake in 1680. During the Peninsula War of 1808-14 it was occupied for four years by French troops and suffered considerable bombardment.

Alhaurín el Grande - Hotels 

Book hotels in Alhaurín el Grande

Hotel Alhaurín Golf Resort

Located in Alhaurín el Grande, 16 km from La Cala Golf, Hotel Alhaurín Golf Resort provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. This 4-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant or relax in the bar.

B&B Casa de Ámbar

Boasting a year-round outdoor pool and a hot tub, B&B Casa de Ámbar is set in Alhaurín el Grande, 25 km from Malaga María Zambrano Train Station and 26 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum. There is a private entrance at the bed and breakfast for the convenience of those who stay.

Casa Donny

Casa Donny features a sauna and free private parking, and is within 25 km of La Cala Golf and 25 km of Plaza de Espana. The air-conditioned accommodation is 27 km from Automobile and Fashion Museum. The property features an outdoor pool with a pool bar and is situated 27 km from Malaga María Zambrano Train Station.

Finca Besito

A recently renovated bed and breakfast in Alhaurín el Grande, Finca Besito offers picnic area, private parking and sports facilities. This bed and breakfast offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio. The bed and breakfast has parking on-site, a hot tub and full-day security.

Suites del Mundo

A recently renovated bed and breakfast in Alhaurín el Grande and within 21 km of La Cala Golf, Suites del Mundo has an outdoor swimming pool, comfortable allergy-free rooms and free WiFi. There is a private entrance at the bed and breakfast for the convenience of those who stay.

Cubo's Finca Jara

Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Cubo's Finca Jara is set in Alhaurín el Grande. Both free WiFi and parking on-site are accessible at the country house free of charge. The property is non-smoking and is located 21 km from La Cala Golf.

Cubo's Finca Pati

Located in Alhaurín el Grande in the Andalucía region, Cubo's Finca Pati features a terrace. Both free WiFi and parking on-site are available at the country house free of charge. The property is non-smoking and is situated 22 km from La Cala Golf.

Los Chozones

Featuring pool with a view and views of pool, Los Chozones is a recently renovated bed and breakfast located in Alhaurín el Grande, 27 km from La Cala Golf. Boasting a housekeeping service, this property also provides guests with a picnic area. There is a sun terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking.

B&B Buena Vista

Featuring inner courtyard views, B&B Buena Vista provides accommodation with a garden and a balcony, around 19 km from La Cala Golf. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 20 km from Plaza de Espana.

Villa Tanya

Situated in Alhaurín el Grande, Villa Tanya provides accommodation with a flat-screen TV.

There is a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer in each unit, along with free toiletries.

Guests at the bed and breakfast can enjoy a continental breakfast.

Villa Tanya offers a terrace.

Alhaurín el Grande, Roman Columns

It would not be surprising, therefore, if all traces of its long past had been regularly obliterated. But some has miraculously survived. There is the 12th Century Moorish archway, the Arcos de Cobertizo, which, while not being in any way spectacular (it stands close to the church and now leads nowhere) but at least it represents a tangible link with the past. In the small plaza in front of the town hall, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, are three Roman columns which were discovered close by at Fuente del Sol. Unlike some other villages in the hills, Alhaurín el Grande acknowledges that it has a history, and is quietly proud of it. The plaza, incidentally, has a superb view of the valley.

 

Golf

For the golfers among us there is a great Golf Hotel & Resort that provides an enjoyable 18 holes that has been updated and made more everyday golfer friendly.


El Molino Morisco de los Corchos

One of the town's best attractions for visitors, and it is well signposted, is the Moorish Cork Mill - El Molino Morisco de los Corchos