La Malahá
La Malahá was known as Malka by the Greeks and Misarza by the Romans, Mizarza by the Visigoths and Al-Malaha by the Arabs. When looking at maps or roads to the village; you might see its name written in different ways. The area is home to some of the most important salt mines in Andalucía which feed the waters of the Santapudia and Salado ravines. It has about 1700 inhabitants.
History
According to archaeological remains found in the municipality, we know that population settlements existed here since the Late Bronze Age (between 900 and 800 BC). Flint and pottery remains have been found at La Atalaya, confirming the existence of a significant settlement dedicated to shepherding. There is also a small Iberian-era settlement on a gentle hill. More>
Things to see
Casa de San Vicente Mártir
A family home, known as Casa del Santo, features a prayer room where, in a chapel, the mummy of San Vicente Mártir is supposedly kept. It is displayed in a glass case, lying on cushions and adorned with a Roman army uniform, including helmet and sword. It arrived in La Malahá in the eighteenth century and has been venerated by the locals ever since. The chapel is privately owned, and the house now houses a restaurant, so it is open to visitors.
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
The church was built in the sixteenth century with construction beginning in 1533. It has a rectangular nave with two chapels, a tower, and a choir. The main altarpiece, dating from 1540, features a Baroque altar. The ceiling is a Mudéjar-style coffered ceiling decorated with sixteenth-century stars. The coat of arms of the Archbishop of Ávalos is displayed above the entrance and the wooden door with nails dates from 1535 and was made by Juan Ruiz. The baptismal font and the image of San Juan are already listed in the church’s inventory of 1689. In 1765, María Josefa Daóiz, widow of Manuel Diego Escobedo, the Corregidor de Granada who died at the Balneario on September 20, 1764, and was buried at the main altar, donated to the church the paintings of La Adoración de los Reyes, San Jerónimo, Cena de Emaús and Adoración de los Pastores. In 1772, the Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud and Ánimas Benditas del Purgatorio acquired the paintings of the Santa Faz and Eccehomo. They purchased the Crucified Christ to replace another and bought the altarpiece for the chapel of Cristo de la Salud, which was installed on July 16, 1777. Located on Calle Real.
Things to see outside the town
Baños Termales
The 1918 Official Guide to Mineral-Medicinal Waters states that the thermal baths comprise of four springs with abundant flow: Las Termas (32º), de la Concepción (29º), de la Salud or Baño Frío (13º), and Fuente de Santiago (20º). The properties of their waters led to the creation of an important spa in the municipality of La Malahá. We know that its waters were used since the time of the Carthaginians. In the Roman Empire, it is one of only eight facilities in the world that have been located, which were at their peak during the reign of Hadrian (74-138 AD), along with Alhama in the Baetica region. The others were located in Anatolia, Algeria, Barcelona, Girona, Provence, and Ardèche. In the Arab period, the Hammam was a very important social meeting place. The 28°C thermal waters are classified as calcium sulfate, chloride-bicarbonate variety. During the spa’s operation, they were used to treat the following ailments: rheumatism, chronic bronchial catarrh, menstrual disorders, anaemia, chlorosis, hysteria, and herpes in all its manifestations. The spa remained in operation until 1942 and was demolished due to its dilapidated state in 1987. Today, visitors can explore a thermal complex comprised of three thermal water pools, two cold water pools, changing rooms, gardens, and a restaurant. Located north of the town.
Opening Times:
Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00-20:00hrs (Summer only).
Aljibe Árabe
Construction of a stone block pond with a stone slab vault from La Malahá. It is believed it dates back to the twelfth century.
Cerros de la Atalaya
This area is great for hiking, discovering places of great geological interest and observing migratory birds. At the Montevive mineral deposit, there is a cave with more than 90 steps and faces carved into one of its walls. Today, the entrance is blocked by the remains of the Strontium mine, but we have a drawing by Juan Cabré that meticulously describes it. The Montevives mineral deposit contains celestine, strontianite, calcite, dolomite, gypsum and is exceptionally rich in strontium.
Las Salinas
This is one of the oldest saltworks in Andalusia. The Phoenicians and Romans already supplied common salt from La Malahá to Sexi (Almuñécar) and (Salobreña), for the production of garum and other salting industries. The saltworks was defended by Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, ‘El Gran Capitán’, and was part of the negotiations for the Capitulations of Granada in 1491. In the mid-twentieth century, it had 97 pools, seven heating systems, and a twelfth-century warehouse or granary, a water wheel in the tower, watchtowers, a main house, and a house for employees. It covered an area of 3.3 hectares. More>
La Vega
La Vega de La Malahá is a large archaeological site where remains have been found dating from the Bronze Age to the medieval period. The waters from the thermal spring of Los Baños, as well as other nearby springs, are cooled in large pools and used for irrigation, from terrace to terrace, through a network of irrigation ditches that branch off into smaller channels. The water not used by the farmers flows into the Arroyo del Salado stream. This entire irrigation infrastructure from the Nasrid period continues to function today, just as it did in the Andalusian era. The retaining walls of the terraces, irrigation ditches, and pools are still preserved, as well as some of the mills used in silk cultivation.
Bus Service
There are bus services from La Malahá to Granada City, Escúzar, Agrón and Játar. More>
Gastronomy
If you want to experience the typical diet of los malaheños you should try puchero (chickpea stew), patatas al pobre (potatoes and garlic fried in olive oil) and migas (a dish made with breadcrumbs, garlic, olive oil and other ingredients). For something sweet try the roscos (doughnuts), alfajores (sweets and cakes), tortas (filled pastries) and bizcochos (sponge fingers).
Festivals
Popular festivals in La Malahá are Día de San Marcos, Festividad de Las Cruces, San Isidro, San Marcos and Fiestas de San Antón. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for La Malahá. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of La Malahá is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to La Malahá are Ventas de Huelma, Las Gabias and Otura.