The territory of Valle de Abdalajís is almost completely encircled by the extensive municipality of Antequera and only a small part of it- just a narrow corridor-opens onto the Guadalhorce valley. The mountains that are named for the village rise imposingly behind the urban district, which is protected by a formidable limestone wall. On the opposite side, the landscape is much gentler, being made up of rounded hills covered with grain fields and olive groves. The Las Piedras stream runs through this area between fertile gardens and orchards that are a hint that the Guadalhorce valley is near at hand.

This municipality’s location on the border between the Guadalhorce valley, the natural route between many of the interior zones and the provincial capital, and the Antequera lowlands, which are an indispensable hub of communications between Upper and Lower Andalusia, has made Valle de Abdalajís a vital pass since man first trod its soil. A large number of prehistoric relics, such as stone axes, ceramic and flint tools, have been found in this area.
Iberians, Celts, Greeks, Punics and Romans were later to leave their mark on this territory also. The existence of an Iberian settlement has been proven, and it came into contact with Phoenicians and Punics as can be easily deduced from studying the El Cuero del Castillo and El Nacimiento archaeological sites, where fragments of Greek ceramics from the fifth century B. C. have been found. The Cerro Pelao archaeological site is also extremely interesting, and there are historians who link it to the Torres de Aníbal (Towers of Hannibal). A small terra cotta statue of Demetra, the goddess of agriculture, a bas-relief with the image of a bull (which has been destroyed), and especially the “Dama Oferente de Abdalajís” (Offering Lady of Abdalajís, third or second century B. C.), are excellent examples of pre-Roman Iberian art that have been found in this municipality.

Enough facts have come to light through archaeological studies to establish that on the site now occupied by the village stood the Roman city of Nescania, which was declared a Municipium Flavium in 70 A. D. in the time of Vespasian. Also some 25 epigraphs, which have been found in the dig sites, furnish information about the social life of Nescania in those times. One of these epigraphs is dedicated to Jupiter and may help to prove that there was a temple dedicated to this god. The Peana-which we will get back to later-is dedicated to Trajan, and another of the epigraphs refers to Seneca. Some sources speak of at least 15 statues being found in Nescania, among the most important of which are those of Seneca and Trajan and a Bacchus that is in the Museo Arqueológico Provincial (Provincial Archaeological Museum) in Málaga.
The Vandal invasion in the fourth century levelled the Roman city and the area was unpopulated until the arrival of the Arabs, to whom the village owes its present name. It comes from Abd-el-Aziz, the son of Muza, the first Muslim to take up residence in this area. It is curious that during the entire long presence of the Arabs in this area (699 years) there was no urban area of significant size. The Muslim population was scattered about in farmsteads and irrigated areas and the only important construction in those times was the Hinz-Almara castle, which was built over the ruins of an Iberian town and formed part of the Antequera chain of defences. Only a few stones remain of this fortress today.

 

The origins of the present village date back to the sixteenth century when, as a result of the first land distribution immediately after the Christian conquest and the expulsion of the Moors, the lands of Valle de Abdalajís were ceded to Alfonso Pérez de Padilla y Corbos. His descendents governed the village until 1811 (when the Cortes de Cádiz outlawed the feudal system). The feudal policies would not be totally abolished until 1833, however, the date that the last Count of Los Corbos became just another citizen, but one with huge amounts of land.

Outstandings Visits:
The upper district of the village, the oldest part, still has a street plan reminiscent of the Arabic period. Here, at the Antigua Posada (Old Inn) on Calle Real, the visitor will find the most characteristic example of traditional architecture in the municipality. This is a large well-restored sixteenth century house that is thought to be one of the first houses that made up the original nucleus of the village.
The sixteenth century Palacio de los Condes de Corbos (Palace of the Counts of Corbos) is a typical stately home and is in a good state of preservation. Its interior contains all the ornamental and decorative features that belonged to the sixth Count of Corbos, Isidro Mesías de Vargas.

 

Work was completed on the San Lorenzo church in 1599. It consists of three naves, and its interior is filled with images toward which the Vallesteros display great devotion: the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), San José (Saint Joseph), the Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of Mount Carmel), Santa Rita (Saint Rita), a Nazarene, etc. Its very simple exterior is noteworthy for its stone base, which gives the building a distinguished appearance, and its three-level bell tower covered by a hip roof.
Another of the village’s outstanding buildings, and one in which its residents display great pride, is the Madre Petra convent. Its most modern part has been converted into a residence for the elderly. The older and more elegant area is devoted to preserving the living quarters and belongings of the founder.
The Cristo de la Sierra (Christ of the Mountains) hermitage in the highest part of Valle de Abdalajís is of recent construction-it was completed in 1954-but it enjoys great popularity among the residents of this village, who are very devoted to the Cristo de la Sierra. The simple structure, crowned by an old-fashioned belfry, contrasts with the spectacular scenery to be viewed from the adjacent El Gangarro overlook.

The Peana is not a monument but rather an archaeological relic of the highest order, at least as far as the Valletanos are concerned. It is a statue pedestal with an inscription dedicated to Trajan that was found in the ancient city of Nescania. This distinguished archaeological item, which has been dated to the year 104, was transported to Antequera in 1585 by the corregidor (magistrate) Juan Porcel de Peralto so it could be included in the archaeological collection at the Arco de los Gigantes (Arch of the Giants) in that city. Happily for Valle de Abdalajís, it was recovered and today stands in a position of honour on the Plaza de San Lorenzo.

 

 

How to Get There:
The route starts from the city of Málaga, which can be reached from any point on the Costa del Sol by way of the Mediterranean Expressway (A-7; N-340). Take the A-45 expressway towards Antequera. You must go into that city and find the departure route for El Torcal via the A-343, which is very well marked, but instead of going all the way to that Nature Park stay on the A-343, and after 18 kilometres you will arrive at Valle de Abdalajís.

 

 

 

Interesting Facts:
Surface Area: 21.2 square kilometres
Population: about 3,000
What the natives are called: Vallesteros
Monuments: the Antigua Posada (old inn building), Palacio de los Condes de Corbos (Palace of the Counts of Corbos), San Lorenzo parish church, Madre Petra convent, Cristo de la Sierra hermitage and La Peana (Roman pedestal)
Geographical Location: in the southern part of the Antequera region, on the boundary of the Guadalhorce valley region. The locality is 340 metres above sea level and is 50 kilometres from Málaga. Average rainfall in the area is 600 litres per square metre and the average annual temperature is 14.4º C.
Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle Alameda, 2 (29240). Telephone: 952 489 100; Fax: 952 489 164