A Host of Attractions in Velez Malaga

105 17
There are plenty of attractions in Velez Malaga that tourists often overlook. Velez is a busy thriving town at Costa del Sol although it may lie off track from the major tourism route in Spain. It is only 5 km away from Torre del Mar with little tourism development but it offers a host of wonderful discoveries.

Thriving industries

This town is the capital for the Axarquia region at the River Velez valley which is beautifully surrounded with natural landscapes and sub-tropical vegetation. Velez enjoys a thriving agricultural commerce which produces fruitful vines, olives, strawberries, sugar cane and many other types of produce. This region is famous for its muscatel grape that is used to produce the renowned sweet and tasty Malaga wines.

History

There is a lot of rich history in Velez which goes a long way back to the Carthaginians and the Phoenicians eras. This has been proven with many interesting and important remains discovered around the region.

Researchers claim that Mainake, a once famous Greek city, stood at these grounds. It was called Menoba by the Romans who ruled then. Menoba functioned as the Romans' important commerce and trade center. Then, there is the Moorish rule where Velez was subjected to for over eight centuries. The Moors built Ballix-Malaca or the Fortress of Malaga in this region as its strategic center of culture, commerce and strategy.

Ancient attractions

Velez's rich history brings on several churches spotted in town; the 15th century Santa Mar­a Church is beautiful with exquisite sectioned tower with a mosque minaret still attached to it. This was the first building built by the Re-Conquista Christians after their re-conquest of Malaga from the Moors. It sports an impressive Mudejar architectural style with three naves and a most stunning ceiling.

There is also the 13th century Fortaleza, a Moorish castle on a hilltop at Arrabal de San Sebastin which is the most ancient section of Velez. There is a main tower which used to function in defending the town; it is well preserved even to this day. The castle offers great panorama of the countryside.

Also in Velez is a catholic hospital called San Marcos Hospital which was built in 1487 by the Catholic Monarchs. There are monasteries and convents which showcase many interesting architecture beauty and skills in Velez.The Marquises Palace of Beniel is located in the quaint surroundings of San Sebastin; it now functions as a municipal building while displaying its still majestic Mudejar-styled architecture that showcases an amazing vaulted ceiling that lies above the stairwell.
Source...

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.