logotipo

Evidence shows that the area around Benajarafe has been populated since Palaeolithic times. Remains and paintings have been found in the nearby caves of Cantal and Nerja.

 There are also many Phonetician remains to be found in this part of the Mediterranean   (Malaga, Mezquitilla…)

Historians believe that the ancient Greek town of Mainake was located somewhere in this area although its exact location is yet to be discovered. 

The name of our village is believed by many to originate from the time of the Muslims  -- the Arabic  Ben-Al-Sharif  translates as ‘the son of the high or tall one’ which describes the local topography. 

The famous battle of Axarquia, in 1483, fought from the beaches around Benajarafe to the mountains of Malaga gave the Muslims their last victory in Andalucia.

 

Documentary evidence shows that the Moya Tower (wide tower) originates from this time and it continues to dominate the landscape today. Its name indicated the importance it held in those times, being the largest of the many towers situated to the East of Malaga. 

 To the right is a picture taken from the beach showing the cliffs. The chimney forms part of a ground level kiln that was built at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The Moya tower was used in the past, when the sea was a source of danger not pleasure, to warn the population of pirate attacks. These attackers from faraway lands menaced this coast throughout the centuries. Bonfires were used to raise the alarm – smoke visible by day and fire by night.

 Today two families live in the tower. There are future plans to allow public access and build a restaurant.

 The tower represents our village today. It appears on the coat of arms and is also the name of the local football team.

The celebrated writer and poet Salvadore Rueda, from Benaque, once lived in the Moya Tower. (To the right).

 From there, he wrote the following verse, to a neighbour in Benajarafe, describing the ever-changing views that he saw:

"... también habré de decirte

que en la torre abandonada

cierto señor se ha metido

como Pedro por su casa.

Encaramado en la torre

horas enteras se pasa

viendo las nubes que vuelan,

viendo las alas que pasan

mirando al sol que se acuesta,

mirando vestirse al alba

y a la torre enrojecerse

y pulirse a la mañana.

Tiene debajo de un barco

prisionera una cigarra

y canta para que se oiga

su canción que es una llama,

y tiene un camaleón

en un círculo de caña

cambiándose de colores

como una luz de bengala."

In the following, still unpublished poem, Salvadore Rueda wrote about his life in the tower:

"Vivo ocho casas a la par,

pues fija en alto peñón

mi casa es un torreón

a la vez que un palomar.

Balcón que domina el mar,

retiro para escribir,

iglesia para sentir,

atalaya para ver,

cárcel para padecer

y tumba para morir."

Another building from the past is the old station.  The narrow-gauge railway ran along the east coast, from 1920’s to 1960’s. It’s route, from Málaga to Zafarralla, opened up the interior of the area. 

 The original steam train, which was later replaced by a diesel, played a key role in the development of the region. It was known locally as the ‘cochinilla’ from the green colour of its coaches.

 Many people say that the authorities should never have closed the line and would like to see it reopened.

Traditionally, Benajarafe was a village devoted to agriculture and fishing. A favourite pastime of the few summer visitors was to watch the spectacle of the  ‘copo’.   This involved a special net known as a ‘copo’, being thrown into the sea from a boat and then dragged ashore. The resulting catch was disgorged onto the beach.  The fish, which was sold from the same beach, was not only fresh but also still alive.

 This old photo shows the union between the land and the sea, that perfectly characterises our village. 

 The same oxen that plough the land drag the boats from the water at the end of their fishing trips.