Situated at the foot of the northern slope of "La Sierra de Mijas" and with a population of 18,000 inhabitants, the town of Alhaurin el Grande opens out onto the valley of Guadalhorce being most noteworthy about its surrounding enviroment, the landscape made up of rich, fertile irrigated lands of citric, fruits, fruit-trees and vegetables, apart from the fields of olive trees and grain. Relics from the Neolithic Age,which prove the continuous presence of human settlements, have been found in its surrounding area.

                       

Iberians, Greeks, Romans and Visigoths also left behind an endless amount of statues, coins, capitals and tombstones, amongst other valuable archaelogical remains. It was the Arabs who named this place Alhaurin, the meaning of which experts are not in agreement with since it is interpreted as "Garden of Ala", "The Jewel", "The Valley" and, in the latest investigations, is translated as "The free ones". During the reign of Los Reyes catolicos, who reconquered the place in 1485 and incorporated it into the Crown of Castilla, the nickname "El Grande" is added on in order to distinguish it from the neighbourin town of Alhauring de la Torre. In 1634, the people of Alhaurin buy their district and the title of "Villazgo a la Corona" (Town of the Crown). With the passage of time, the place is chosen by the affluent families of Malaga in order build their country or holiday residences.

                

"El Arco del Cobertizo", dating from the Muslim era, is one of the visits of major interest; together with the Church of Nuestra Sra. de la Encarnacion, from the Seventeenth Century, the Shrines of San Sebastian and of Santa Vera Cruz, The Moorish mill of "Los Corchos" and "La Torre de Jubrique".

Amongst the numerous festivities celebrated in the town, Holy Week, declared of touristic interest in Andalusia , stands out exceedingly. Taking place at the end of May, the fair which, apart from having numerous playful activities, includes a populous romeria.

 ROMERIA

The gastronomy of Alhaurin is rich and varied. Its most typical dishes are the cold vegetable soup (el gazpacho), "las sopas de caldo poencima", "las gachas", "las cachorrenas", "las migas" and "el mojete". the Alhaurin bread, the meat products, the table olives and the honey are equally appreciated.