PREHISTORIC
Around the end of the Neolithic period, early man lived in caves and rock shelters in the hills and mountains around Frigiliana, and eventually became a sedentary community . Northwest of the village is an important menhir (standing stone) that, by its nature, we can state that it corresponds with the time of the El Argar culture. El Argar is the type site of an Early Bronze Age culture called the Argaric culture, which flourished from the town of Antas, in what is now the province of Almería, south-east of Spain, between 1800 BC and 1300 BC.
Many items from this period can be viewed in the local museum.
PHOENICIAN & ROMAN ERA
The Phoenicians left a necropolis of tombs, of the 700 BC, in the primitive Cerrillo of Tejar (brickworks), now known as the Cerrillo of Shadows, which is preserved necropolis. Coins of the Phoenician and Roman eras have been discovered at this site (1965).
The Romans occupied the village for some time and it is probably from this period the village was named Frigiliana. The word Frigiliana seems to come from the union of Frexinius (a Roman character we know nothing about) and-ana which together with the previous surname may mean village, farmhouse or the land of Frexinius.
In the early years of the 5th century, the Roman Fort Frigiliana was partially destroyed by the Vandals of Northern Europe.
It is likely that since that time, according to Pliny the Elder, Frigiliana's extensive farming was vineyard and has since been replaced by the cultivation of tropical fruits.
CHRISTIANS & MUSLIMS
With the landing of Captain Berber Tarik in Gibraltar in 711, the Muslim conquest of the peninsula began, leaving the region under the rule of Islam.
The Arabs introduced the hydraulic irrigation system of ditches and pools that are still preserved. They introduced new crops such as sugar cane and a variety of garden crops.
At the end of the 9th century the Arabs built a castle, which occupied an area of about four thousand square meters. The water was supplied from a channel, which came through a small aqueduct built earlier for military service of the fortress . This important defense was destroyed by the Christian armies in 1569, after its surrender to the troops of Louis of Requesens. It was an important victory, and one of the last battles between the Christians and Moors, as many fugitives of the Alpujarra and Velez region were taking refuge within the castle walls. The Moors were sent to Extremadura, Zamora, etc, and Frigiliana was repopulated by Christians from Granada and Valencia.
There are still a few remnants of the castle's foundations and part of the access ramp.
In 1982, twelve ceramic panels showing the uprising of the Muslims and the Battle of the Rock of Frigiliana, where commissioned and located in the old town of Frigiliana.
Around the end of the Neolithic period, early man lived in caves and rock shelters in the hills and mountains around Frigiliana, and eventually became a sedentary community . Northwest of the village is an important menhir (standing stone) that, by its nature, we can state that it corresponds with the time of the El Argar culture. El Argar is the type site of an Early Bronze Age culture called the Argaric culture, which flourished from the town of Antas, in what is now the province of Almería, south-east of Spain, between 1800 BC and 1300 BC.
Many items from this period can be viewed in the local museum.
PHOENICIAN & ROMAN ERA
The Phoenicians left a necropolis of tombs, of the 700 BC, in the primitive Cerrillo of Tejar (brickworks), now known as the Cerrillo of Shadows, which is preserved necropolis. Coins of the Phoenician and Roman eras have been discovered at this site (1965).
The Romans occupied the village for some time and it is probably from this period the village was named Frigiliana. The word Frigiliana seems to come from the union of Frexinius (a Roman character we know nothing about) and-ana which together with the previous surname may mean village, farmhouse or the land of Frexinius.
In the early years of the 5th century, the Roman Fort Frigiliana was partially destroyed by the Vandals of Northern Europe.
It is likely that since that time, according to Pliny the Elder, Frigiliana's extensive farming was vineyard and has since been replaced by the cultivation of tropical fruits.
CHRISTIANS & MUSLIMS
With the landing of Captain Berber Tarik in Gibraltar in 711, the Muslim conquest of the peninsula began, leaving the region under the rule of Islam.
The Arabs introduced the hydraulic irrigation system of ditches and pools that are still preserved. They introduced new crops such as sugar cane and a variety of garden crops.
At the end of the 9th century the Arabs built a castle, which occupied an area of about four thousand square meters. The water was supplied from a channel, which came through a small aqueduct built earlier for military service of the fortress . This important defense was destroyed by the Christian armies in 1569, after its surrender to the troops of Louis of Requesens. It was an important victory, and one of the last battles between the Christians and Moors, as many fugitives of the Alpujarra and Velez region were taking refuge within the castle walls. The Moors were sent to Extremadura, Zamora, etc, and Frigiliana was repopulated by Christians from Granada and Valencia.
There are still a few remnants of the castle's foundations and part of the access ramp.
In 1982, twelve ceramic panels showing the uprising of the Muslims and the Battle of the Rock of Frigiliana, where commissioned and located in the old town of Frigiliana.
The Church of San Antonio de Padua
The San Antonio church, (XVII century) was completed in 1676 by Bernardo de Godoy. It is the main church for the parish and was constructed over the site of an earlier mosque. Once inside you will find three naves with wooden ceilings in Renaissance style.
El Torreón
El Torreón is situated off Calle Real and is the site of an old granary.
Through an archway, is a small, picturesque courtyard containing an old vessel (for oil or wine) showing the original symbol for the three cultures of Frigiliana.
Through an archway, is a small, picturesque courtyard containing an old vessel (for oil or wine) showing the original symbol for the three cultures of Frigiliana.
Casa del Apero
Probably early seventeenth century and originally linked to El Ingenio, it was used as a barn, stables and a store for agricultural tools. After its restoration in the 90s, it has become the Cultural Centre housing the Municipal Library, the Archaeological Museum, a temporary exhibition hall and the tourist information office.
Chapel of Ecce Hommo
Chapel of Ecce Hommo ( XVIII century) known as the Chapel of Santo Cristo de la Caña, a tiny shrine built in the sixteenth century in honour of the Holy Christ of the Cane.
Calle Rosarico la Joaouin
Calle Rosarico la Joaouin
La Fuente Viaja
Constructed by Lara Inigo Manrique, fifth Lord of Frigiliana, in the 17th century. This fountain was designed to supply water to both the villagers and their animals.
The fountain is situated on the left of the intersection between Calle Real and Calle Chorruelo.
The fountain is situated on the left of the intersection between Calle Real and Calle Chorruelo.
Reales Pósitos
Built in 1767, the building housed the village silo - storing the surplus grain from the good harvests for distributing during harder times.
The Plaques
There are twelve ceramic plaques located throughout the old village, they were commissioned in 1982 and tell the story of the uprising of the Muslims and the Battle of the Rock of Frigiliana.
El Ingenio
Perhaps the most impressive building in the village, built in 1508 for Manrique de Lara as the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana. Now it is known as El Ingenio - housing the only remaining molasses factory (Nuestra Señora del Carmen) in Europe.
Market Day
Market Day in Frigiliana is Thursday.
Museo Arqueológico Frigiliana
Opened in December 2009, the Archaeological Museum of Frigiliana was the first archaeological museum in Axarquia. It is housed in the Casa del Apero together with the Tourist Office, Municipal Library, Historical Archives, and Exhibition Hall.
Cuesta del Apero
Tel: 95 253 42 61
[email protected]
Monday to Friday 9:30 to 17:30
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
Cuesta del Apero
Tel: 95 253 42 61
[email protected]
Monday to Friday 9:30 to 17:30
Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
Nerja Caves
Nerja
Granada
Malaga
Approx 58 kms (36 miles)
There's lots to see and do in Malaga - and its less than an hour away by car. Alternatively you can catch a bus from Frigiliana to Nerja and then a direct bus to Malaga Port, or the city centre.
Check out bus timetables or the offical Malaga website.
There's lots to see and do in Malaga - and its less than an hour away by car. Alternatively you can catch a bus from Frigiliana to Nerja and then a direct bus to Malaga Port, or the city centre.
Check out bus timetables or the offical Malaga website.
Maro
Torrox Village
Torrox Costa
Almuñécar
La Herradura
Approx 23 kms (14miles)
La Herradura (the horse shoe) is a small coastal resort with approximately 3,000 inhabitants. It is located between la Punta de la Mona to the east and the Peñon de Cerro Gordo to the west. The uniue shape of the bay protects it from the the eastern and western winds -making it a perfect place for sunbathing.
La Herradura (the horse shoe) is a small coastal resort with approximately 3,000 inhabitants. It is located between la Punta de la Mona to the east and the Peñon de Cerro Gordo to the west. The uniue shape of the bay protects it from the the eastern and western winds -making it a perfect place for sunbathing.
