© 2008 Casa Azul - Torrox Pueblo

Torrox as with many towns and villages of Axarquia, Andalucia and Spain, has many fiestas, Saints days and wonderful traditions.

On the Sunday before Christmas Day the 'Migas' festivities are held.

In February it is carnival time

At the beginning of May, the Cruces de Mayo (Crosses of May) are made in many houses. They include flowers, ornamental objects and mirrors. The walls are decorated with garlands and shawls.

On 13th June, the patron saint San Antonio is celebrated in the densely populated neighbourhood of Ntra. Sra. De las Nieves, with a country party and with three days of fair in Torrox.

On 24th June, San Juan is celebrated

On 5th August, patron saints San Roque and Virgen de las Nieves are celebrated

Medieval market in September

7th to 9th September, Virgen de la Candelaria celebrations

4th to 7th October is the Ferria (the big fair) held on the large car park  

Torrox History

Torrox was settled in the time of the Phoenicians and Greeks trading in olives, figs and wines. It raised in importance with the Romans as Caviclum, producing Garum a sort of anchovy fish paste.

After the Romans, the Visigoths occupied the area until the arrival of the Moors in the 7th century. They called the town Torrus or Turrux, meaning Town defended by towers. The Moorish occupation had a huge influence on Torrox, introducing a new way of agriculture, terracing of the land and irrigation still in existence today.

The Moors produced silk materials supported by the silk worm from the mulberry tree, artisanal products, sugar cane, figs, almonds , vines much of which is important to the area to this day. As with the rest of the area, war visited Torrox with the conquering of Spain by the Christians and the defeat of the Moors. Torrox suffered in the Moorish uprising and in 1487 was awarded the title of “Very Noble and Loyal Village”

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Torrox recovered its importance and various palaces were constructed as well as the Customs and Treasury for business overseas. The castle of Torrox was destroyed in the Napoleonic wars.

In the Christmas of 1884 an earthquake befell Axarquia and this brought a visit from the King at that time Alfonso X11. In this time the sugar cane started to be widely produced and factories called "ingenios" were constructed for production of sugar as well as molasses, honey and liquors.

The cultivation of sugar cane began to decline in the second half of the 20th century and other sub tropical products such as avocados and mangoes came to prominence in the agricultural industry.

Now tourism is the leading industry in the area.