HISTORY OF SAYALONGA

Sayalonga is a village, which although is of modest size, has nonetheless an exciting history.

For many centuries different civilisations have passed through the area leaving their distinctive marks. Reminders of prehistoric man exist, as with the Romans, Arabs, etc.

The Romans found Sayalonga to be a good place to grow their vegetables and made good use of the land near the river also taking advantage of the equitable climate. They also made use of terraces on land near to the river which perhaps were designed by the Phoenicians.

Although such terraces provided areas on which to grow crops, they also contributed in other ways to the natural environment. Not only did they ensure better crop irrigation, they also ensured that water on each level remained longer, thus reducing the risk of desertification and soil erosion.

It is worth mentioning the “Alminar Arabe de Corumbela” (a turret found on Mohammedan mosques) which was built in the 12th century and has been perfectly preserved.

The King of Málaga, Bisma 1, visited Corumbela, and it was his order which resulted in the construction which we can see today. He was a King who always liked to be involved with artisans, and he would without doubt, have noted the beautiful place in which the construction was taking place.

A branch of a Roman road which went from Málaga to Almuñecar passes alongside a place known as Ventorillo de la Aljibe. This road, known as Antonino, went up through Sayalonga ending in Granada after traversing the Sierras Tejeda and Almijara.

However, the civilisation which undoubtedly had the most significant impact on Sayalonga was that of the Arabs.

The legacy of more than 900 years existence can be seen in the village and many of its buildings.

Visitors who pass through the older areas of the village will be able to experience what it would have been like to be in an Arab village, because with its stillness and brilliant whiteness, it is possible to imagine that not much has changed since that time.

In Sayalonga a narrow street called “Callejón de la Alcuza” can be found. This street is only 50cm wide at its narowest point!. You can find it close to the Tourist office, on a side street that links with the first entrance to the village.

One of the most important remnants of the Arabic civilisation is El Ventorillo de el Aljibe, a water tank with a capacity for storing more than 90,000 litres of water.

Beside this water tank are the ruins of an Arabic settlement called Batahiz, which was the birthplace of Mohamed Al-Hasmi, one of the most important Arabic poets in Málaga

Nowadays in this age of christianity, the most important monument in Sayalonga is the round cemetery which is unique in Spain. Its style makes it of great architectural importance.

Everyone who visits it will marvel at its beauty and naturalness, and see the elegance which the cemetery has. You must not leave our village without visiting it!

Another monument of great importance is the “Fuente del Cid” where, it is said, El Cid stopped and drank water on one of his visits to the area.

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