Guide to Torrox
Guide to the town of Torrox, located in the Andalucia region of southern Spain.
Torrox - Costa del Sol - Spain
Founded as a factory town by the Romans in the first century AD, Torrox grew into a significant trading town, reaching its zenith in the 4th and 5th centuries. Controlled by the Moors during the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsular, Torrox was home to the Arab Prince Omeya Abd-el-Rhaman before he led his followers on to Cordoba, further developed by the Moors, Torrox excelled in manufacturing and agriculture, producing among other things silk fabrics, almonds and figs.
Torrox Castle was the main defense against the Christian reconquest and it was the castle which gave the town its name, as it was previously in the form of 3 small villages Alhandac, Almedina and Alhaguer.
The Christians took back control of the town and castle in 1488, after which the population diminished as moriscos (Moors converted to Christianity) fled, there were many further skirmishes and a seige of Frigiliana Castle saw a further 2,400 deaths, the last moriscos were expelled by about 1570.
Torrox Castle saw further action during the War of Independence (1810-1812) during which Napoleon's troops largely destroyed it. An important industry during the 19th century was the growing of sugar cane and a sugar cane factory was built in 1890.
About 4km from the old town of Torrox, lies its coastal area Torrox Costa, the two are worlds apart in looks and atmosphere, with Torrox Costa taking the form of a modern resort with all the facilities that go with it, ironically Torrox Costa is the location of an ancient Roman necropolis, thermal baths and villa, showing that the first settlements were probably in this area.
Torrox is situated off the N-340 coast road and the AP-7 Motorway between Velez-Malaga and Nerja, around 47 kilometres from Malaga and its International airport.
Torrox Links: Torrox Map - Torrox Weather
Related: Costa del Sol - Torremolinos - Fuengirola - Malaga - Mijas - Marbella - Puerto Banus - Nerja - Estepona - Ronda - Almunecar - Calahonda - Las Alpujarras - Granada - Builders
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