Located in the heart of the Valle del Guadalhorce is Álora, a town with a rich historic heritage and an endless list of tourism activities. A number of civilisations flourished in these lands, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and the Arabs. And all these cultures have left a medley of styles that will simply enhance your visit. The Álora Castle is well worth a visit, together with the wealth of natural elements in the area, in particular the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes.

MUST SEE SITES IN ÁLORA

MONUMENTS

The Phoenicians originally built the Castillo de Álora however, the coexistence with other civilisations over time has meant that it has undergone a number of transformations. The Arabs built most of what now remains, which are the towers and the walls, as well as a unique horseshoe arch, the only one of its kind in the West. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1931 and its privileged position offers views of the entire Guadalhorce Valley.

The second largest temple in the whole of the Málaga province is also located in Álora, represented by the iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. Together with the castle it is a symbol for all the inhabitants of the town and it was built to accommodate the increasing population. The building, which has a rectangular floor plan, took an entire century to construct and it is home to one of the most worshipped religious figures of Álora.

One of the key works of Baroque art in Málaga is also located in Álora, the convento de la Virgen de las Flores. Its location on the outskirts of the village, away from other buildings, making its construction even more magnificent and it is home to the figure of the Virgen de las Flores, the patron saint of the town together with the Virgen de la Cabeza.

There are three historic chapels in Álora, all worth visiting: the 16th century Veracruz chapel; the Santa Brígida chapel; and the Castillo Cementerio chapel.

The Monumento al Cante por Malagueña, is a monument that pays homage to the origin of this flamenco palo (a form of flamenco), which began in Álora. The sculpture also serves as an ornamental fountain and the basin was made with stones from the Guadalhorce River, crowned by a bronze structure with the names of famous flamenco singers.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Álora you can visit the Museo Municipal "Rafael Leria" which includes a large part of the archaeological value of this town.