History of Alhaurín el Grande
Alhaurín el Grande has a history dating back thousands of years. Remains of Neolithic settlements have been found in the wooded areas to the south-east of the town, particularly in Las Huertas Altas and near La Casa Forestal, proving that the area has been inhabited for thousands of years.
By the time the Romans arrived, the Iberian settlement in the Sierra de Mijas was already well established. The fertility of the land, the mild climate and the nearby mineral resources encouraged the development of Roman villas in the surrounding hills.
Following the Roman period, the area remained inhabited during the Visigothic era, although its development appears to have slowed. Under Islamic rule, Alhaurín el Grande regained its strategic importance, with the construction of fortifications at Torres de Fahala and the transformation of the surrounding area into a major agricultural and commercial centre. The current name derives from its Arabic toponym, whilst the suffix ‘el Grande’ was added later, following the Christian conquest, to distinguish it from the neighbouring Alhaurín de la Torre.
The fortress was almost completely destroyed following the Christian conquest, although the town itself survived. Over the centuries, Alhaurín el Grande has weathered successive periods of conflict, outbreaks of the plague and even the great Malaga earthquake of 1680. During the War of Independence (1808–1814), it was occupied by French troops for four years and, it is said, suffered heavy bombardment.