Casabermeja is situated on the Las Pedrizas road
at just under 20 kilometres from Malaga. It is in the heart of beautiful
countryside, surrounded by the mountain ranges of El Torcal, Cabras,
Co and Los Camorolos. This last range is the source of the Arroyo
Coche and the river Guadalmedina. the mountains form a circle, offering
a year-round spectacle of colours that range from springtime greens
to autumn golds and winter browns.
The origin of the town goes back to pre-historic times, to judge
by various archaeological finds made in the area. Among these are
remains discovered in the stone burial grounds at Chapera and the
Cortijo del Hospital, along with rock paintings found in the Mogea
hills and in small caves near the Cortijo Cabrera. The Moorish presence
is evident from Mozarab settlement remains in the areas of Chapera
Alta, Colmenar, and Jotrón. Casabermeja was then a fortress
on the defensive line of the territory dominated by the Bobastro
leadership at the time of the Omar ben Hasún rebellion. The
Moors called the place Q´sar Bermeja, meaning the Red Castle,
and the name later stuck to the urban area. Nevertheless, local
legend has it that the name derives from Queen Isabel’s reaction
to seeing the small village for the first time: ¡Qué
casa bermeja! (What a red house!)
The ruins of the Torre Zambra and an old wall built over one even
older are the only remains left of the Moorish presence in the area.
The first written reference to the town appears after the fall of
Malaga, in a letter sent by the Catholic King and Queen confirming
the granting of Villa status to the town, later confirmed by their
daughter Doña Juana in 1509 and 1529, and again by the Emperor
Charles V in 1550. Another important date in the history of the
town was May 5th, 1630, when a Royal Decree granted the residents
of the town permission to buy out the Villa.
Places to be visited:
Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro
The Torre Zambra
Cementery
The Pictorial Complex of Peñas Cabrera
Tourist information:
Town Hall, C/ Llanete de abajo, 2. 29160.
Phone: 952 758 377 Fax: 952 758 009
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