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Alfarnate AREA : 34 Km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL : 925 m AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL : 1007 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 12´6ºC POPULATION CENSUS IN 1994 : 1,505  
Alfarnate is situated in the middle of a small depression, and is sheltered between mountains at the far northwest of the Axarquía, at an altitude of 925 metres. The plain of olives, almonds, wheat and chick peas on which the town sits, offers a strong contrast to the mountainous panorama which surrounds it. A landscape which predominates in rocks, scattered with dispersed trees, and small forests of old oaks which used to cover these lands. The mountain passes of Puerto de los Alhazores (1.040m.) and Puerto del Sol (1.100m.), as well as being singularly outstanding places, are the area’s natural passes and communicate it with the outside. The existance of the Puerto de los Alhazores has been a key spot all along history. Not only for Alfarnate but also for relations between the province of Málaga and their neighbour, Granada. As a matter of fact, it seems that this natural pass was the main reason that the colonization of Alfarnate began, as it was crossed by caravans coming from the coast and heading inland, especially in the age of the Nazareth kingdom in Granada. But, although the origins of the town could be from the Muslim rule, it seems that its consolidation was produced as a consequence of the Christian repopulation which followed the conquest of this area. At least, this is how it gets rid of its name of Puebla de Alfarnate, as it was known of old. Either way, Alfarnate was a stop-over for the Christians who conquered Vélez-Málaga.
The county council building is an architectural work from the 16th century, but the most important building is the parish church of Saint Ana. It is a 16th century construction with a Mudéjar tower. The 16th century chapel dedicated to the Virgen de Monsalud is in the highest part of the village. Around the streets one can find peculiar forms of Muslim inspired architecture. At about 2 kilometres on the outskirts there is the Venta de Alfarnate inn, built at the end of the 17th century on a site which was formerly dedicated to the same thing, being on an obligatory passway between the inland and the coast. The inn has a long history of illustrious visitors, from King Alfonso XIII to legendary persons such as Luis Candelas and D. José María 'El Tempranillo', famous bandits of the parties which travelled the wild mountainous lands of Andalusia and the province of Malaga. Today it is known as the Antigua Venta de Alfarnate and it holds within its walls and halls, the hallmark of centuries of history. Other interesting places are the medieval necropolis, Cortijo de Uceda; the Puentes del Rio as a picturesque spot, and various mountainous landscapes such as the port of Alhazores, the highland of the Camarolos and the cave of the Marronquera, of archaeological interest.
Works in forging. An attempt to recuperate some handicraft arts is being made in the adult centre of education.
Some typical dishes of the area are 'ajo-blanco' cold soup, 'cachorreña' soups, 'la cata' tasting, fried veal, 'gachas' porridge, and 'migas' breadcrumbs fried with garlic, 'morrete de setas' mushrooms, etc.. Amongst the desserts are the 'roscos carreros' biscuits, 'hornazos' and rusks from San Marcos, oil cakes and 'zoque'. A strong drink is made here called 'resoli', made with clear brandy and boiled coffee. The Antigua Venta de Alfarnate offers an ample menu of strong dishes in the most popular style, such as 'huevos a lo bestia' which consists of fried eggs, 'migas', 'chorizos' spicy sausages and fried peppers, and loin in lard, guarnished with vegetables.
The Candlemas is celebrated on the 2nd of February, a festival in which gorse is dried and burned in bunches around the town, as well as the traditional bonfires. The pilgrimage of San Marcos is on the 25th of April, and is very traditional in this and other towns in the region. That day, everyone goes to the country to the area of the Venta Seca (Dry Inn) to eat 'hornazo con choto' buns with an egg inside and kid. In the afternoon there is a procession with the images of the Virgen de Monsalud and San Marcos, leaving the image of the Virgin in the church until San Antón day, 13th of June, and then returning her to her chapel another festive day, in which fire works and bunches of dried burning herbs are spinned through the air by youngsters, which produces a spectacular sight. San Isidro, on the 15th May is when the village goes out again on a pilgrimage after the mass in the chapel of the Santo Cristo. The patron saint festival dedicated to the Virgen de Monsalud requires a special importance because it is at this time, the 12th of September when the "Embajadas" is celebrated, or in other words the Moor and Christian festivities, a representation by the village divided into two bands who fight to recuperate the Christian image of the Virgin which had previously been stolen by the Moors. An embassy of Christians claims the return of the image, by reading the text called "the relations", which hasn’t changed since the 17th century. The Christians end up retrieving the image after various battle simulations and it is then taken to the town square to be apologized to. San Juan's festivities on the 24th of June have a special meaning in Alfarnate for the ancient tradition which is called "sanjuanear" and which is also celebrated in other villages of the Axarquía. It consists of a ceremony which comes from a mixture of the Christian religion and Paganism and is celebrated during the early hours of the 24th .
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
Places to Visit
Shopping
Gastronomy
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS