Although it is near the coast, the terrain within the municipal boundaries of Sayalonga is more characteristic of the inland regions of La Axarquía, with mountains that are steep and rugged but not very high. The highest point in the municipality is La Rábita (672 meters), followed by the peak of El Mercado (638 meters), in the outlying township of Corumbela.

The rivers that cross these lands are short and seasonal, due to the level of rainfall in the region. The River Sayalonga runs from north to south and upon leaving this municipality takes the name Algarrobo, while the River Güi, also known as the Huit, runs through the eastern part. Both receive the waters from several tributaries but these only have a small flow during the rainy months.
Despite the diminutive area of the municipality (a little more than 18 square kilometres), Sayalonga has both a separate village, Corumbela, in its northern part that takes up 20 per cent of the municipal territory and the curious outlying hamlet of Carraspite in the south, which is made up of a good number of small farmhouses that are only occupied between August and September during the season of greatest agricultural activity.

 

The origin of Sayalonga is undoubtedly Arabic, but it is not known at what moment in history it began to take shape as a town, and the meaning of the name is equally a mystery; some studies support the theory of its Roman or Visigothic origins. Historical records on the locality begin to appear beginning with its surrender to the Christian troops as a consequence of the fall of Vélez, in order to prevent bloodshed that would have been useless in view of the strength of the Catholic Monarchs’ army against the ever-weakening Muslim resistance.
At one time, the modern outlying district of Corumbela played a greater historic role than Sayalonga, and even the farm community of Batarxis, of which today only traces remain to show its location, is more often mentioned in chronicles than the main population centre of the municipality. In any event, the Moors of this entire region took a very active part in the uprising that ended in the famous battle of Frigiliana.

The so-called Andalusia Earthquake (25 December 1884) also damaged Sayalonga, but in contrast to other towns in La Axarquía, there was no loss of human life here.

Outstandings Visits:
The most significant building in Sayalonga is the Santa Catalina parish church, which was erected in the sixteenth century on the site of a former mosque and sits on the highest point in the town. The church’s interior consists of two naves separated by semicircular arches that rest on quadrangular pillars. The main nave has an interesting Mudéjar roof frame, and in the other we find the chapel of the Virgen del Rosario, with its beautiful polychrome carving from the eighteenth century Granadino School.
The exterior of the church is extremely simple but is notable for its square-based tower with its octagonal second level with semicircular arches. The San Antón chapel, which houses an eighteenth century polychrome wooden carving, is separate from the church.
The nearby outlying village of Corumbela sprawls over a hill and offers the visitor the chance to admire the San Pedro church, which was also built over a Muslim mosque. It preserves the slender minaret, which the Christians adapted as a bell tower. This Mudéjar-style church is of great architectural simplicity, with a single nave covered by a beautiful coffered ceiling.
This municipality’s cemetery, which can be seen from the road on the way to Cómpeta, is more picturesque than artistic or decorative. The peculiar thing about this small graveyard is its circular shape and vaulted tombs, features so unusual that they can’t help but attract attention.

How to Get There:
If you turn off the Mediterranean Expressway (A-7 or N-340) between Vélez Málaga and Torrox onto A-6203 it will take you to Sayalonga by way of Algarrobo.

Interesting Facts:
Surface Area: 18.2 square kilometres
Population: about 1,300
What the natives are called: Sayalonguinos. Nickname: Sayones
Monuments: Santa Catalina parish church, San Antón chapel, San Pedro church with its Mudéjar minaret (Corumbela), the circular cemetery
Geographical Location: in the La Axarquía region. The centre of the town is 360 meters above sea level. It is 38 kilometres from the capital of Málaga and 12 from Vélez Málaga. The average annual rainfall is 620 litres per square metre and the average temperature is 18º C.
Tourist Information: Tourism Office, 2 Constitución Plaza (29752). Telephone: 952 535 206; Fax: 952 535 206