At about only 40 kilometres from the Malaga capital and a stones throw away from the Costa del Sol, stands Alora, a small corner of the South with a population of about 8,000 inhabitants. This town generates as much interest for the traces of its intense cultural cross-breeding as for its fantastic natural landscape.

Its name comes from the term Iluro, originating from Iberian times and also used by the Romans, until the Arabs transformed it to Al-Lura.

  


                               ALORA CASTLE

Amongst the preshitoric remains, the ones found in "Las Terrazas de Canca" are worthy of note. During the Roman occupation, the town should have been located on the "Cerro de las Torres". For eight centuries, the Muslims remained in these lands until Los Reyes catolicos incorporated the toen of Alorainto the Christian Crown on the 22nd of June 1484. As a curious fact in the history of this town, one has to emphasize the presence of Don Miguel de Cervantes, in the role of tax-collector, from 1587 to 1593. The Spanish Civil War brings about a serious famine in the 1940's and many of its citizens decide to emigrate to Germany, Switzerland and Australia.


  

The same as in other neighbouring towns, Holy Week is the ferstivity that enjoys the main tradition and popular support. the July-August Fair and the numerous verbenas during July and August complete the festive calendar.

Monuments worthy of visiting are the Parish Church of "Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion", from the Seventeenth Century; The Moorish castle, declared a nationel monument in 1931; the Church of "El Convento de Nuestra Senora de las Flores", at two kilometres from the town; and the Shrines of "Veracruz" and of "El Calvario".

The Alorena cuisine has as essential dishes, those made up from local products: "Las sopas perotas", "el majillo de esparragos", "el gazpacho pimenton", "las aceitunas alorenas". Also worth trying are the larded meat (carne mechada) and the cured loin of pork in lard (lomo en manteca).