Alfarnate is the most northerly village of Axarquia, situated 49 kilometres from
Malaga and 45 kilometres from the coast at Torre del Mar. It lies on a fertile plain sheltered and hidden by the surrounding
Sierra Alhama and Sierra El Jobo mountains at an altitude of 925 metres, and has a population of 1,600. Against the
mountain backdrop, the flat cultivated land forms a contrasting scene. The economy is based on agriculture, the
main products of which are olives, almonds, chickpeas and cereals. The village is on the scenic
Route of Olive Oil and Mountains.
Typical of the area, the village has prehistoric origins with later Moorish occupation and architecture. Unlike most other
villages in Axarquia, Alfarnate is flat with wide streets. The river Palancar winds through the village dividing it in two
joined by three picturesque bridges. The name, Alfarnate, is derived from the 10th century Arab
Al-farnat which means flour-mill. The 16th century church of Santa Ana has a Mudejar minaret.
The town is overlooked by the small Cerro del Santo Cristo mountain, which has
a sanctuary on top of the same name, where outdoor mass is sometimes held. The buildings in the town are mostly two storey
and typically whitewashed. The most historic street, Calle Secretaría, houses numerous 16th century buildings and the Plaza
del Ayuntamiento where bullfighting used to take place during the September festival.
In the 19th century the town was an important bandit centre, due to its
geographical location on the road between Malaga and Granada. Just outside of the village is an inn built in 1690, the Venta
de Alfarnate, where bandits took refuge from their pursuers. It was a haunt for famous bandits El Tempranillo and Luis
Candelas and is now a museum and restaurant where delicious regional dishes are prepared and served. |
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