THIS WHITE TOWN, SITUATED MIDPOINT BETWEEN THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY, THE ANTEQUERA PLAIN AND THE RONDA MOUNTAIN RANGE, HAS ONE OF THE RICHEST ARCHEOLOGICAL LEGACIES IN THE PROVINCE OF MALAGA AND ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT NATURAL HABITATS.

Ardales has its origins in prehistoric times. If the discovery of flint axes, needles of bone and other Stone Age objects are not proof enough of this, the cave paintings in the Cueva de Calinoria (Calinoria cave), also known as Doña Trinidad Grund, provide conclusive evidence. Five kilometres from the town, this grotto contains beautifully painted, monochrome representations of animals dating back to the late Paleolithic period.
During the Celtiverian period, the town of Turobriga was built near to where Ardales now stands. This settlement was controlled by the bástulos and was mentioned by Pliny, Roman attorney general in Spain in the first century AD.
During the period of Roman rule a catle the Peña de Ardales (rock of Ardales) was built to defend the village which grew up around it. However it wasn't until the Arab conquest ocurred, and with it the redistribution of these lands by the Emir Hurr Al Tagafi in 716. that the village achieved town status, and was named Ard-Allah. Ardales returned to the limelight in the 9th century, when Omar Ben Hafsum, rebelling against the Calif of Córdoba, established a Christian enclave at Bobastro. This short-lived dominion was located in the Mesas de Villaverde (Villaverde plateau), 4 km. to the East of Ardales. The Ardales and Turón fortresses to the west, Teba castle to the East and Álora castle to the south constituted a ring of defense for Bobastro and its region, its inhabitants having joined forces with Ben Hafsum from the start of the uprising.
The municipality itself was founded when the town conquered on 24 March, 1389, during the reing of Juan I. The Ardales pact was signed in the castle by King Juan II, represented by the governor of Andalusia, don Diego Gómez de la Ribera, and the Prince from Granada, Yusuf Ben Al Mavi.

Nature and art treasures
The village stands at the foot of a steep hill on which the ruins of the ancient fortress can still be seen todday. Its winding streets and whitewashed, two-storey houses give it its character. Its most striking building is the late 16th century parish church of Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios. In 1720 a new church was built onto the old. Its mos striking architectural features are a Baroque doorway and fine pediment.
On the town's lower level stands the convent of the Capuchinos, dating of the 17th and 18th centuries. The belfry's exterior is topped by battlements. Not far away lies the ermita (hermitage) de la Encarnación, a rectangular building with vaulted roof, decorated in the 18th century style.
Five kilometres from the town is the remarkable cave of Doña Trinidad, with cave paintings dating from the late Palaeolithic period (20.000 years B.C.), and several Calcolithic burial sites (2.700 B.C.). The cave was discovered in 1821 thanks to an earthquake which uncovered what is now the entrance. It was purchased by Trinidad Grund midway through the 19th century, who made it fit to receive visitors, this complement her spa business in nearby Carratraca. This grotto has legal protection and was closed to the public for many years, although small groups can now visit as long as they make arrangements in advance.
Also at four or five kilometres distance is the Mesas de Villaverde area and in it ruins of Bobastro and its Mozarab church in the rock. This is a particularly interesting building, mixing Christian and Arab architectual styles.
Within the Ardales municipal area can be found such unique and spectacular places of interest as the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a canyon along whose sheer vertical walls runs a man-made walkway called the Caminito del Rey (King's path) (opened by King Alfonso XIII at the beginning of this century). Another place of environmental and ecological interest is the nature reserve, popularly known as El Chorro that runs along the reservoirs of the Guadalhorce basin.
The reserve's Municipal Museum is a functional two-storey building. The lower level houses a small exhibition room where archaeological finds are permanently on show, while the upper level is dedicated to the reserve's geology and to its flora and fauna. The building also houses a tourist information centre and a guide service.
Ardales is an unusual and charming village whose historical legacy continues to dazzle visitors. The unquestionable richness of nature and art, the excellent and varied cuisine, the friendly people and the jolly fiestas make a stop in this village a must for anyone visiting the province of Málaga.