HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE
The municipal district of Torremolinos mainly
extends over a narrow coastal stretch, at the foot of the western foothills of the Sierra
de Mijas, known as Sierra Llana or plain sierra. Between this sierra and the sea, the
relief is smooth and forms a large hill, covered on the top part with a pine grove, and
the rest of the urban landscape has diverse colours, and looks out on to large beaches
which are half hidden with all sorts of touristical buildings. Although it is the youngest
municipality in the recent history of Malaga ( and has been before it joined its lands to
the municipality of Malaga to which it has now been made independent), its coastal
situation in an area of ancient history converted it into one of the first
civilization’s settlements. But man had been here before, as proven by the remains
dating from around 150.000 years ago which were found in its caves and grottoes.
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs passed by its coasts and found everything they
could desire at those times: refuge, water, fishing, hunting and a good climate.
The first news we have of the town is in 1489, in
the last years of the Christian conquest, when after conquering Malaga in the allotment of
the lands, they speak of the "Molinos" mills of the "Torre" tower
which were ascribed to the now neighbouring municipality of Alhaurin de la Torre, together
with Churriana. Nevertheless, in 1502 it became part of the city of Malaga with the name
of the Torres de Pimentela.
In 1745, the town appears for the first time on a
map made by Francisco Llobet with the name "T. Molinos" or Torre de los Molinos,
from where its present name comes from.
It remained as an idependent municipality until
1924, when it joined to Malaga, until the inhabitants of Torremolinos requested their
independence, reforming a municipality on the 27th of September 1988.
The great history of Torremolinos has been written
in the last decades as a touristic boom. At the end of the 50’s, the small fishing
village composed of San Miguel street and the suburbs of El Calvario, the Bajondillo, and
the Carihuela, initiated an economic and urban lift off, which has converted it today into
one of the nuclei with the most important activities among those destined to tourism.
The touristic development has revolved around the
suburbs of El Bajondillo and La Carihuela for their exceptional beaches, which are a point
of reference in all sun and beach destinations around the world.
Places to Visit
As a touristic centre, Torremolinos offers the
visitor various focal points. In the historical aspect, one of the points is the ancient
tower situated at the bottom of the San Miguel street and is the only one still standing
of those which gave the town its name, and which taking advantage of the Springs,
zigzagged down to the sea. Today these springs are dry. Some Roman and pre-Roman vestiges
which have been detected (including neo-lithical in the Cortijo del Tajo) are not yet
ready to be visited.
It is precisely the San Miguel street which is an
obligatory visit for tourists who pass by this pleasure and rest centre. It is a
pedestrian street in which there is a continuos line of commerces and shops of all kinds
which offer all types of typical products from the municipality, even the well known
"souvenirs" from all first rate international touristic centres.
It is worth visiting the famous place called
"la roca", the rock, which divides the coast in two. Amongst the popular
architecture there is La Carihuela, the typical fishing suburb, and the El Calvario.
Finally, given the each time more important tourism
of meetings, Torremolinos has a congress hall, the Palacio de Congresos, situated on the
outskirts of the town, and in which important international events usually take place.
Shopping
The handicraft of the place is almost lost, and has
been replaced by the touristic "souvenirs" of all kinds and for the great
variety of shops which offer sophisticated articles, including fashion design, and is
concentrated in the world known San Miguel street, adjacent alleys and the Costa del Sol
square.
Gastronomy
The city offers a varied gastronomy, there is
international cooking and restaurants from all over the world, although there is an
abundance of Italian and Chinese establishments.
The local gastronomy has also become a powerful
tourist attraction for the famous "pescaito" frito, fried fish, on the beaches
of La Carihuela and Bajondillo-Playamar, as well as many beach restaurants. Torremolinos
has also preserved their traditional ‘tortas’ cakes.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
In this case, tourism has acted as an enema,
revitalizing the pilgrimage of San Miguel, the patron of the city, which reaches the pine
groves on the outskirts of town and takes place in September.
As in other fishing villages, the Virgen del Carmen
is carried in a marine pilgrimage on the 16th of July, accompanied by all the neighbours
in Torremolinos.
We must also point out that, as an hommage to its
visitors, they celebrate the festivities of the "pescaito" and tourism day. .
| Additional
Information |
Telephone |
| Council |
952 37 94 00 |
| Ambulatorio |
952 38 16 86 |
| Policia Nacional |
952 38 99 99 |
| Bomberos |
952 38 39 39 |
| Ambulancia |
952 22 22 22 |
| Policia Local |
952 38 47 75 |
| Autobuses |
952 38 02 82 |
| Guardia Civil |
952 38 57 06 |
