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TOLOX INFORMATION
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The village of Tolox is situated in the centre of the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, at the foot of the Sierra Blanca and the Sierra Parda. It is a privileged spot in which the main features, in addition to La Torrecilla Peak (1,919 metres in height), are the ancient woodland of Spanish fir and the gall oak groves. A stroll round Tolox’s winding streets, with white-washed houses and doors and windows overflowing with flowers, makes it quite clear that this village clings onto its roots and it has, in fact, received a prize for its beauty on several occasions. Although Neolithic remains have been found in the so-called Cueva de la Tinaja (the Cave of the Earthenware Vat), four kilometres from the town, in the upper area of the Los Horcajos river, everything seems to indicate that the actual settlement of Tolox is Phoenician in origin. But Roman remains like the Latin stone discovered in 1770, the structure of the streets, the numerous water channels and terracing for growing crops are an indication that the Romans and Arabs have passed through the area too. The most outstanding item is the remains of the castle wall, which is Phoenician in origin, although it later fell into the hands of the Romans. In 883 – the first real historical data we have about the origin of the settlement - the castle was captured by the rebel leader Umar ibn Hafsun, who fortified it and made it one of the most important in his kingdom. It was also a key position for the Cordoba emirs. On the death of Omar in 917, one of his four sons, Soleiman, inherited the castle, but he was defeated by Abderramán in 921, who destroyed the Alcazaba and ordered a mosque to be built on the spot. The municipality was incorporated into the Catholic Crown in 1487. A name we have from that time is one Angulo Sancho (governor of Tolox), who received seven parts in the sharing out of the lands in 1488. The catholic Monarchs allowed all Moors who wished to do so to remain living in the area, although in a ghetto and under the condition that they would swear loyalty to the Monarchs. Their religion, justice system and language would be respected, but this magnanimity did not survive subsequent Spanish kings: they were eventually given the choice of being baptised or banished to Africa. A story from Christmas Eve, 1568, tells of an argument that arose between a servant girl and the daughter of a Moorish chief on the question of pastry making. The Morisca, as the "converted" Moors were called, threatened the Christian girl and told her of a trap set for the Christians that very night. A few days of savage slaughter followed, and the Christians were forced to seek refuge in the Castle of Alozaina while the Moriscos burned their homes.
Places to be visited:Town centre Tourist information:Town Hall, Plaza de la Constitución, 1. 29109 |
English rent a car , Deutsch Autovermietung , Español Alquiler de coches, |
