Alhaurín de la Torre
Alhaurín de la Torre contrasts sharply with its equally neighbour, Alhaurín el Grande. While Alhaurín el Grande has preserved and even showcased some of its Roman and Moorish heritage, much of Alhaurín de la Torre’s historical architecture has disappeared. Even the original medieval tower that gave the town its name has long vanished, leaving only its memory in local records and the municipal coat of arms.
Finding the two Alhauríns is easy. Take the mighty N-340 highway south from Málaga and look for the turnoff onto the C-344 leading to Churriana. Then simply following the winding road along the Guadalhorce valley and into the Sierra de Mijas.
This easy access to the provincial capital is at the root of Alhaurín de la Torre's economic resurrection and cultural decline. It has been seized upon by many who work in Málaga but prefer not to live in the conurbation, and is rapidly expanding as a commuter town. There is little doubt that with the current explosion of building in full swing, it will soon outstrip its neighbour in size and population. We shall then have the ironic situation of Alhaurín el Grande being the smaller of the two.
As yet, the town is still set among large plantations of citrus and avocado, but as it continues to grow, and land becomes increasingly scarce and valuable, it may be that many of them will disappear.
History
The history of Alhaurín de la Torre is full of accounts highlighting the town’s magnificent setting. Its origins date back to between 1000 and 700 BC, when the first Iberian settlers came under the influence of the Phoenicians.
There are several interpretations regarding the historical origin of the town’s name, although the most convincing theory traces it back to the Berber tribe that inhabited the area following Roman rule: the Hawwara, from whose name the hamlet of al-hawarin emerged, later adapted into Spanish as Alhaurín.
The reconquest of Alhaurín de la Torre in 1485 marked a turning point, establishing a new system of land ownership that would endure for centuries. In the Repartimientos de Málaga, the town appears as Alaulín, later Laolín, and finally Alhaurinejo. Although it was a sparsely populated settlement well into the 20th century, it was admired by 18th-century romantic travellers such as Francis Carter, who described the ‘charming village of Alhaurinejo, just two miles closer to the sea, which supplies Málaga with the finest bread’.
Today, Alhaurín de la Torre is a thriving town, easily accessible from Málaga, which has fuelled its growth as a commuter town. Unlike the smaller Alhaurín el Grande, which has retained much of its historic charm, Alhaurín de la Torre has expanded rapidly, blending residential neighbourhoods with commercial areas. Although large plantations are now less common, traces of the agricultural landscape remain, giving the town a unique balance between urban life and nature.
Alhaurín de la Torre - Hotels
Book hotels in Alhaurín de la Torre
The biggest attraction for visitors to Alhaurín de la Torre is undoubtedly the gardens of El Retiro. Founded in the 17th Century by Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, Bishop of Málaga, and originally use by him as his retirement home (hence, El Retiro) the gardens display an impressive variety of plant and wild life. Each section attempts to recreate the natural habitat of the creatures housed in it, from semi-desert to tropical swamp. The manor house at its centre has also been impressively restored.
A visit to El Retiro is enough to make even the most jaded visitor forget the frantic scramble beyond its walls, and forgive Alhaurín de la Torre most of its more earthly sins.
If you do visit Alhaurín de la Torre, be sure to visit the only golf course around, Lauro Golf, opened in 1992 and known for its breathtaking panoramic views.
Art Gallery
The Municipal Art Gallery is in la Finca Municipal El Porton in Avenida Juan Carlos 1. Open Monday to Friday from 17.00 to 20.30.