Some visitors come to Archidona for its scenery, others for its religious associations or for its historical heritage. Whatever has brought you here, the experience of this city in the county of Nororma, north-east of Malaga, will be unforgettable. Enjoying a mollete con aceite, attending the Dog Show or experiencing the oldest Holy Week in the province are just some of the many activities we would like to present for you to discover.

Declared a Historical-Artistic Ensemble, the city's history is evident in each of its buildings, squares and streets. Archidona contains prehistoric remains and has been populated by the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs, and was even the capital of the province in the 18th and 19th centuries.

MUST-SEE SIGHTS IN ARCHIDONA

MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS

We suggest that you start your tour in the Plaza Ochavada. This square is one of the most emblematic sights in Archidona and an essential landmark of its social and cultural life. Built in 1786, it is one of the most outstanding squares in the Andalusian Baroque style.

The splendour of the Al-Andalus period can be seen in the castle and its walls. This fortification which extends along the slope of the sierra dates from the 9th century, and was rebuilt four centuries later by the first king of Granada, Ibn Al-Ahmar. The Puerta del Sol, or Gate of the Sun, is a sight not to be missed.

As we go up the hill we will encounter the shrine of La Virgen de Gracia, an example of how different cultures overlap in Archidona. This church was built over the mosque that once stood on the same site. Both edifices are visible today as one views the church.

Archidona also stands out for its convents and other forms of religious architecture. In the Las Minimas Convent we can see a very beautiful baroque doorway and a redbrick tower capped with a multi-coloured ceramic spire. The convent was built in 1551 and its church in the 18th century. The Santo Domingo Convent was founded by a figure of historical importance, the Conde de Ureña. Founded in 1531, it is today the School of Hotel and Catering of the Santo Domingo Convent.

La Iglesia de la Victoria - the Church of Victory (16th century) stands out thanks to its mannerist doorway and the beautiful image of the Dulce Nombre attributed to the famous sculptor Pedro de Mena. Next to the Escuelas Pias we find the church of Jesus the Nazarene, and we continue to the shrine of San Antonio, built in the 17th century.

To finish our tour, we recommend a visit to the Town Hall and Municipal Museum. The Museum is also known as the ""edificio de la Cilla"" and ""Casa del Posito"" because it was built by the Duke of Osuna to store grain, It is a 16th century building, very prosaic in shape, although at a later date some baroque details were added, such as the doorway and the coats of arms.