History of La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas, the charming seaside heart of Mijas Costa, has a history rooted in its strategic coastal location and its humble beginnings as a traditional Andalusian fishing village.
Early Origins and "Cala del Moral"
Originally, the village was a tiny fishing settlement known as Cala del Moral (Mulberry Cove). For centuries, it was a quiet enclave where local families lived off the sea. Life was dictated by the tides and the seasonal catches, a heritage that is still celebrated today during the Virgen del Carmen festival every July 16th, when the patron saint of fishermen is carried into the sea.
A Frontier of Defense, The Watchtowers
Due to its position on the Mediterranean, the area was historically vulnerable to attacks from North African pirates (Berber corsairs). To defend the coast, a series of watchtowers (*Torres Vigía*) were constructed. These remain the most significant historical landmarks in La Cala today
Torre de la Batería (Torre Vieja)
Located in the center of the village, this "hoof-shaped" fort was built between 1766 and 1773. It was originally armed with two 16 or 24-pound cannons and garrisoned by soldiers and tower keepers. Interestingly, as the village grew, the tower "moved" inland; while it was originally built on the beach, urban development has left it about 80 meters from the shoreline.
Torre Nueva
Built around 1568, this tower sits on a headland to the west and served as part of a sophisticated smoke-and-fire signaling system that spanned the entire Andalusian coast.
Torre de Calaburras
Dating back to 1574, this tower was part of King Philip II’s coastal defense program and was later supplemented by a lighthouse in 1863.
The 20th Century Transition
Until the mid-20th century, La Cala remained isolated. A photograph from 1948 shows the Torre de la Batería as a lonely building surrounded by sand. In the 1940s, the tower even lost its military function and was occupied by a local family who used the ground floor as a stable for animals.
The 1960s marked a turning point with the arrival of the tourism boom on the Costa del Sol. La Cala began to expand from a collection of small cottages into a thriving town. However, unlike some of its neighbors, it has fought to maintain its "village atmosphere," characterized by low-rise buildings and a pedestrian-friendly center.
Modern-Day La Cala
In 1985, the historic watchtowers were declared Bien de Interés Cultura (Sites of Cultural Interest). In 2012, the Torre de la Batería was restored and opened as a museum and visitor center, where you can explore the history of the coastal defenses and see how the village evolved.
Today, La Cala is home to a cosmopolitan population of approximately 10,000 residents, blending its historical identity as a Spanish fishing village with a vibrant, international community.