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This small
town roughly halfway between Málaga and
Antequera is
rightly proud of its name. It derives from the Moorish
al-megia or al-mexía, 'the pretty one', a reference to
its position in the foothills of the Sierra del Hacho,
in the shadow of the Sancti-Petri peak.
The
existence of the
remains of old Roman roadways passing through the region
points to an
important geographical position since pre-historic
times.
Places to
Visit in Almogia
Hins-Xan-Biter
Castle
In the time of the Caliphate, the castle was one of the
principal defensive
fortresses in the
protection of Bobastro, capital of the Omar Ben Hafsum
kingdom. It was also
used as a prison for Christian captives at this time.
Local legend claims
there to be an underground passageway from the castle to
the church, formerly
a mosque.
Church of
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The church was build on the ruins of an old mosque that
disappeared after
the re-conquest. In
charge of construction work in 1522 was Diego de
Vergara, architect of
the Malaga diocese. Its central nave is covered in the
Mudejar style and is
of great artistic and cultural value. Of special
importance inside are
the images of the Immaculate Conception, the Child
Jesus and the
painting of St. Peter the Hermit, all from the 18th
century.
Hermitage
of the Sagrado Corazón (the Sacred Heart)
Situated in the upper
part of the town,
this building dates from the 18th century, although
there
was an older construction
here from before the year 1521. It was once joined
to the closed convent
of the Sacred Heart which was long since demolished,
and has a small bell
tower and choir. The patron saints of the town, San
Roque and San
Sebastián, are venerated in the hermitage. Another
hermitage
is the Tres Cruces, situated
between the municipalities of Almogía, Cártama
and Álora.
Chapel of
Santo Cristo
This
is a tiny square building with a crucifix inside, built
on an earlier construction dating from the 17th century,
but changed considerable in the late 19th century. It
forms one of the fourteen Stations of the Cross that are
scattered throughout the town, and are a source of much
devotion. It is situated in the centre of the town, in
the street of the same name. Most of the houses in the
centre are low in size and whitewashed, with red tiled
roofs.
Other places to visit:
Malaga
Antequera
Ronda
Cordoba |
