The Axarquia

 

The Axarquía is a comarca of Andalusia in southern Spain. Its name possibly derives from Arabic "Ash-sharquía", meaning "the eastern region". This description refers to its geographic location as seen from the nearest major city, Malaga.The Axarquia, with a population of just above 200.000, extends along the coast of the Costa del Sol Oriental between Rincon de la Victoria in the west and Nerja in the east, and inland into the ranges of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama, the Viñuela valley and its surrounding hills.

 

While in Andalusia comarcas have no defined administrative powers, the current Statute of Autonomy allows for the establishment and regulation of official comarcas. It defines the significance of comarcas and sets the basis for future legislation in this area.The Council of Tourism and Sports of the Andalusian Autonomous Government published an order in which it defined the comarca as "a geographic space with some homogeneous natural characteristics, which produce social relations of immediacy and closeness, and present some common natural, economic and social characteristics and some common interests."

Thus, the term Axarquia as of now has only limited value in terms of administrative powers, but creates a sense of local spirit and is increasingly used for marketing purposes. 

 

The Axarquia is well known for its white villages. Competa, Frigiliana, Canillas de Aceituno, Sayalonga and others offer the same spectacular views over the hillsides and the Mediterranean as the better known villages of the Alpujarras further to east. While some have developed into tourist hubs (especially Frigiliana) you can still find the tranquility of village life in other places. A trip along the winding roads into the mountains, a stroll through the narrow roads of the villages, some tapas & vino tinto at a quiet bar at the market place, just next to the church - that's an experience everyone visiting Andalusia should make at least once.  

 

Some of the villages still maintain outstanding examples of Mudejar architecture. Arenas, Árchez, Salares, Sedella and Canillas de Aceituno are all towns with an authentic Mudejar appearance which gives visitors the feel of having travelled back in time. The term “Mudejar”, which is derived from the Arabic word “mudayya”, is used to denote the Muslims who, following the Christian conquest in 1487, remained in the new Castilian state, conserving their religion, language and legal organisation.

 

Ready to explore the region? Here are some suggested trips.

 

More information also at Axarquia Costa del Sol.