History

History

Almuñécar has a rich history. It was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age but it was the Phoenicians in the 8th Century BC, who put the place on the map, when it was named Sexi. During the Phoenician period, Almuñécar’s large fish salting and curing industry was a major supplier to Greece and Rome. 

Later, under Roman influence, the industry was rebuilt and modernised and continued to prosper. Major evidence of the industry has been carefully conserved in Majuelo Botanical Gardens. As this industry required not only large quantities of fish and sea salt, but also a constant supply of fresh running water, the Romans built 4 miles of water conduit in the valleys of the Rio Seco and the Rio Verde and 5 aqueducts, one of which is in the town centre along with the Roman baths. The Romans first built the castle of Saint Miguel and just below the castle on the landward side is the 'Cueva de Siete Palacios' (cave of the seven palaces), which now houses the town museum. There are other Roman remains in Almuñécar, including a Roman bridge at Cotobro.

When the Roman Empire collapsed in 476AD, many parts of Spain fell to the Visigoths and it was in this period that fish curing industry in Almuñécar rapidly declined.

Later, under the Moors, Almuñécar became known as the fishing town of Al-Munakkap ("Fortified City") or Hins-al-Monacar ("Surrounded by Mountains").

Producing sugar cane, bananas, cereals and fruits, and fishing the rich waters, the town became an important trading post in the region. Many of the streets and buildings of the old town, including the Castle, were developed by the Moors.

Christian rule was restored in the 15th Century and the huge wrought iron cross on 'Peñon del Santo', the rock at the old harbour entrance, marks the defeat of the Moors and the return of Christianity. Nowadays, the rock is seen as a privileged place to view the diverse scenery which gives Almuñécar its special character. The Christians started the building of a new church which was completed to the latest design in 1600 and was the first Baroque style church in the Province of Granada. 

Today, Almuñécar has a relaxed, though vibrant, feel to it but the monuments scattered throughout the town are a constant reminder of its incredible history. In the ‘Old Town’ past meets present in the steep, winding, cobbled streets. The noisy scooters speeding around the narrow lanes help to remind us of which century we’re in! The newer parts of town are lively too and full of shops and offices along with hotels, bars and restaurants.