History of Molvízar
According to historical remains found up to this point, it can be said that the first human settlements in the area date back to the Neolithic era, a period in which certain species of cereals (wheat, barley, etc) began to be cultivated and domestic animals such as ox, goats, sheep, pigs were farmed.
Between the eighteenth and twelfth centuries BC, the Argar culture (Bronze Age) developed, a period from which archaeological remains have been discovered in the area. Additionally, a small statuette of the goddess, Venus, made of baked clay (terracotta), was discovered, dating from between the first and third centuries AD.
During the Roman period, there were several dispersed inhabited settlements, two of which were villae; similar to country houses, where there were also farms containing stables, warehouses, cellars, winepresses, mills, kitchens and rooms for servants and/or slaves.
The existence of at least two ceramic tiles from this time is known. The Roman’s presence spanned from the end of the first century BC to the fourth century AD. There are also remains of ceramics and a watchtower from the Caliphal period (tenth century AD).
The origin of the current urban centre dates back to the Nasrid period (1238-1492), an era in which Molvízar was a farmhouse (a village with a few houses), belonging to the taha (equivalent to a district) of Salobreña and included within the cora (province) of Elvira. Molvízar fell into the hands of the Christian soldiers at the same time as Salobreña at the end of 1489.
In 1492, when the Bula de Erección de la Vicaria de Salobreña was granted, Molvízar was incorporated into it. In 1495 the Mudejar (Moors who lived in Christian lands) complained to the Catholic Kings because the distributor had taken all their lands except vineyards and houses.
During the War of Granada (1568-1571), residents of Lobras, Trabo and Molvízar climbed the Guajaras mountains and abandoned their homes to flee the damage that the residents of Salobreña and Motril did to them. This occurred in the first days of the uprising at the end of December 1568. Shortly after, the warden of Salobreña looted the town and captured the Moors, the men were assigned to galleys (war ships with oars) and the women were sold as slaves. The Moors who remained after the war were taken to Castilian lands and expelled from Spain between 1609-1611.
After the end of the War of Granada, the town was ordered to be repopulated, the houses and lands being distributed in 36 lots between 25 settlers, a beneficiary (priest) and a sacristan. Among the requirements the settlers had to meet were that they were useful settlers, married and were from outside the Kingdom of Granada.
During the reign of Felipe IV, an attempt was made to sell off Molvízar from the crown estate, but in the end it was not carried out and it continued to belong to the Crown.
In 1767, the Compañía de Jesús was expelled from the Kingdoms of Spain. Between 1785-1790, due to the increase in the population size (about 1,500 inhabitants) and continuous objections, the previous church was demolished and the current one was built.
In the first half of the nineteenth century, the independence of Salobreña was achieved and between 1856-1860 the title of town was given to Molvízar.
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