General information on Vélez-Málaga
Vélez-Málaga, known locally just as Velez, is situated 1 kilometre inland from Torre del Mar and 26 kilometres to the east of Malaga, on the scenic Route of Sun and Avocado. It is the centre and capital of the district of Axarquia, with a population of 55,000. Despite it's proximity to the coast it has not developed a tourist industry.
The town lies in the wide valley of the River Vélez from where its main resources are found. These are agricultural products of vines, olives, sugar cane and vegetable and salad crops. Good quality olive oils and wine are produced here. There are also many garden nurseries growing and selling a wide range of plants, trees and seeds.
Velez-Malaga is a working town with varied interesting architecture and old palaces. The origins go back to the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, from which civilisations a great many important remains have been discovered. The Greek city of Mainake is reputed to have stood here. Under Roman rule, when it was known as Menoba, it was an important centre of commerce and trade. During eight centuries of Moorish occupation it was known as Ballix-Malaca (Fortress of Malaga) when again it was an important strategic, cultural and commercial centre.
General information on Rincon de la Victoria
Rincon de la Victoria lies on the coast 10 kilometres to the east of Malaga, in the southwest of Axarquia. It has a population of 18,000 increasing to 40,000 in the summer. Originally a fishing village, the increase in size is due to it's proximity to Malaga and the airport and to tourism. Its beaches stretch for 9 kilometres.
Rincon beach Rincon de la Victoria comprises four urban nuclei: Rincon, La Cala del Moral, Torre de Benagalbon on the coast and Benagalbon inland, which lie on two scenic routes the Route of the Raisin and the Route of Sun and Avocado.
Rincon town centreSettlement of the area dates from prehistoric times. Late Palaeolithic (35,000-10,000 BC) sites have been discovered from which a collection of tools and Stone-Age art have been extracted. The remains of Roman settlement and a 3rd century Roman fortress are also located in the area. The Roman writer, Plinio, refers to a temple built here that was dedicated to the moon. During the 12th century, under Arab occupation, the town was known as Bezmiliana. The stronghold of the Castle of Bezmiliana, of great strategic importance, was built at this time and its remains can be seen at Castellón.
Treasure CavesThere are interesting caves at Las Cuevas del Tesoro (Treasure Caves) where gold was reputedly hidden by Arabs. A series of underground caverns has stalagmites, stalagtites, underground pools and Palaeolithic wall paintings. These are the only visible marine caves in Europe and are believed to be the prehistoric sanctuary of the goddess Noctiluca.
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