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Comares AREA: 25,30 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 685 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 580 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 16’5 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 1.447  
Comares rises over a great cliff as a watchtower over the western border of the Axarquía region. From here it dominates the greater part of the Axarquía lands, offering an ample landscape which goes from the mountains to the sierra, and from the sierra to the sea. But Comares is also an important landmark of the nearby lands, in which craggy hills covered with olives, almonds, and vines stands out. The character of this lookout village, given its situation, must have been appreciated since old by the inhabitants of the area, who not only occupied this hill but also nearby ones, like the Masmullar. Over a Roman military post, the Arabs erected a fort which together with Benthomiz and Zalía are the three principle ones in the Axarquía. In the Nazarí texts it quotes Comares with the name of Hisn Qumarich (The castle of Comares). Remains of a 9th to 10th century city have also been found in the Masmullar Hills. The city was destroyed and rebuilt later on. In the mid 13th century the Nazarí emir Mohamed I named his son-in-law Abd Ishq Ibrahim as mayor of the square. He came from a powerful family, the Christians called "los escayueles", but soon after his nomination he allied with Alfonso X against his sovereign and the Granada army had to intervene, but with the help of the Christians this attack was rejected. The town was conquered by the Catholic kings in 1487, and years later was integrated into the domains of Diego Fernández de Córdoba. In the 16th century Moor rebellion, Comares hardly intervened. Nevertheless, once the Moor rebellion was suffocated, they were also expelled from the area.
In the oil, wine and raisin route, Comares as a town of the Axarquía is worth visiting to trace its steep streets which snake uphill where it stands, especially the highest part which grew under the protection and shade of the old fort, of which two of its turrets which strengthened the walls are still conserved, one of which is next to the cemetery. In the oldest streets there are still arches, probably from medieval times. As well as these vestiges of its Arabic past, like the previously mentioned fort - Comares Castle -, the Masmullar hill - remains of streets, houses, buildings and a well were declared in 1931 to be Historic-Artistic Monuments - , the town’s main architectural construction is its parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, situated on the highest part in Mudejar style from the 16th century, In the first quarter of the 17th century, the Sagrario chapel was built in this church, with a rococo style plaster dome. Outside is the tower attatched to the upper part with framed typically Mozarabic arches. The other tower which was built over the Sagrario chapel, is similar to the ones in El Borge and Vélez-Málaga and presents an octagonal base with walls decorated with pilasters, oculars and triangular plaques.
As well as esparto grass works for domestic and agricultural use, in Comares they make the clothes and attire which the verdiales groups use, especially the spectacular hats.
The cooking in Comares is basically the same as in other towns of the Axarquía. Nevertheless, the popular dishes are potato casserole, soup with mayonnaise, tomato and peppers soup, broth and "ajocolorao". In the summer they have cold summer soups. The lands sweet wine completes this interesting gastronomic offer.
Comares celebrates the main fair on the second to last week in August. On the 14th of January are the patron saint's festivities to San Hilario de Poitiers, and the 7th of September is the night of the candles with the same tradition and taste as the rest of the Axarquía. Regarding folklore, the 'verdiales' of Comares differ from the ones sung and danced in the Mountains as it has a particular style for being faster. The groups of 'verdiales' always sound first for the artistic quality of their members.
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HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
Places to Visit
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Gastronomy
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS