The lands of Benamocarra are an example of the less abrupt type of La Axarquía landscape, with topographic features that lend diversity to the appearance of the countryside but do so without being excessively rugged.

Its territory is a succession of hills, on one of which-La Quera- the village sits, while the rest abound with olive, almond, orange and lemon trees and, since some years back and just as in a large part of this region of La Axarquía, the subtropical crops on which much of the local economy is based.
The urban district is entirely characterised by traditional architecture, with low houses of at most two stories marking out the streets and alleys, some of them very steep, and with small squares here and there, providing open spaces in the classic Moorish street plan.

 

The place’s name derives from the Arabic for “sons of Mukarran”, and its history, prior to the Christian conquest, is closely linked to that of the neighbouring villages. It is known that it was conquered by Fernando the Catholic after the taking of Vélez Málaga in 1487, and that after the expulsion of the Moors in the sixteenth century it was repopulated by long-time Christians from Antequera, Puente Genil and Estepa, among other communities.
Many Moors left the village, however, before these resettlements and even before the expulsion as a result of the abuses committed by the Christians in violation of the terms of surrender. Some traces of the Arabic era remain in the area of Pozo Luchina (Luchina well).

Outstandings Visits:
This locality’s only monument is the Santa Ana parish church. Its construction dates from the sixteenth century although, as is the case with so many other Málaga churches, it later underwent an extensive restoration (1949) that considerably changed its structure. It consists of three naves separated by arches resting on pillars, but the most interesting thing about the church is the Mudéjar-style roof frame of the central nave. On the exterior, the rectangular tower was erected along Mudéjar architectural lines.

How to Get There:
Access to Benamocarra from the Costa del Sol is by turning off the Mediterráneo Expressway (A-7, N-340) onto the A-335 at Vélez Málaga. The MA-135 turns off that road and goes straight to Benamocarra.

Interesting Facts:
Surface Area: 5.7 square kilometres
Population: about 3,000
What the natives are called: Benamocarreños
Monuments: the Santa Ana church.
Geographical Location: the municipality is in the interior of the La Axarquía Region, only 5 kilometres from Vélez Málaga and 41 from the provincial capital. Its village centre sits 125 metres above sea level, the average annual rainfall is 560 litres per square metre and the average temperature is about 18º C.
Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle Zarzuela, 45 (29719). Telephone: 952 509 534; Fax: 952 509 570.