Where is La Axarquía located?
Iznate is part of the La Axarquía region. La Axarquia is located in Andalusia between the province of Malaga and the province of Granada, directly east of the city of Malaga. This hilly region has the vorm from a Spanish Ham and has a coastline of 50 km and extends 35 km inland. To the south the region is bordered by the quiet part of the Costa del Sol. There are extensive sandy beaches and also rock-surrounded bays.
Axarquia is a word from Arabic
The name Axarquía comes from Arabic (al-Sharq) and it stands for Land in the East. This is in contrast to Algarve, which means Land in the West. Signs of Moorish rule can still be found in many villages and towns. There are still centuries-old minarets in the villages of Archez and Salares. In many villages you can recognize buildings in the typical Moorish Mudejar architectural style, such as one of the two towers of the church in El Borge. The popular music of the Axarquía, the Verdiales has Celtic and also Arabic roots.
In Comares, the highest village in the region, you can follow a walking route that shows the Moorish roots of that village. In many villages you will find age-old wells and springs. More inland from the Axarquia, there are also several thermal baths that may be of Moorish origin. The village of Cutar has the large annual Monfi festival where half the village dresses up as Arabs.
Grapes, wine and parties in the white villages
In the Axarquía there are many small, white villages, the so-called pueblos Blancs, which are beautifully situated between and on the hills planted with vines. Parties are an important part of life in southern Spain. There is always something being celebrated somewhere. Every village has its own holiday, which is often celebrated extensively and well into the night. El Borge has several local holidays. Dia de la Pasa , on the third Sunday in September, is attended by thousands. During this festival it is celebrated that the raisins, which are not sulphurized here, have been harvested. There are performances by musical groups, including the so-called Panda de Verdiales and many stalls where you can try the delicious products from the region for free or for a small price.
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