The village of Alfarnate is located in the northwest part of the La Axarquía region, some 50 miles from the provincial capital Malaga.

The landscape surrounding the village is typical of this region and is covered with olive and almond trees and fields of chickpeas blending with the rocky peaks which are covered in evergreen oaks although these trees are not so common now

There are two natural passes in the area which allow travel between this area and the country around it. They are the Puerto de los Alhazores, at an altitude of 1,040 meters, and Puerto del Sol (1,100 meters)

The village itself is built on the banks of the Palancar stream which runs through the heart of the village with the two halves being joined by three bridges. One of the most remarkable features about the village is unlike many of the towns and villages in La Axarquía the terrain is quite even.

There is one street in the village that is very notable is the one named Secretaría where you can see many fascinating buildings from the sixteenth century.

The history of the village shows it is most likely to have grown up during the Nazarite period where the caravan traffic between the coasts passed though the Puerto de los Alhazores on the way to the interior and back again

The village was originally named, al-Farnat {Flower Mill} by the Arabic settlers in the Area. It then changed to Puebla de los Alfarnates after the Christian’s recognized it as a “villa” (royal burgh) and its borders contained the nearby village of Alfarnatejo until the 18^th Century when the two split.

The most outstanding building in the village is the Santa Ana parish which has a magnificent anterior that is divided into three naves separated by pillars that serve as supports for graceful semicircular arches.

The exterior of the Church includes an impressive sixteenth century Mudéjar tower is remarkable.

Other notable buildings include the 16^th century building that houses the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), which has a plaza that held bullfights in the past

Located in El Barrio., which is the highest point of the village is t he Virgen de Monsalud which again dates from the 16^th century., and it is notable for its porticos, which sit on pilasters that are interconnected by semicircular arches.

About two kilometers from the main village is the Antigua Venta de Alfarnate (Old Alfarnate Inn),which was built around the 17^th century is well worth a visit and is a great place to stop and enjoy some of the best traditional dishes of the region. It is also a popular meeting point for writers and painters who come to the area to work

One of the most famous dishes that is on the menu here is the “huevos a lo bestia”, a unique delicacy made from fried eggs, migas (fried bread crumbs), fried peppers, lomo en manteca (loin in lard), chorizo sausage and a garnishing of vegetables

Some important dates during the year include the 2^nd February where the village hosts the Candelaria celebrations which include the “running of the aulagas” {Gorse} . The plant is prepared in bunches that are set alight and then the younger villagers travel around the streets with these peculiar torches. There are also bonfires lit on this day across the village

The San Marcos pilgrimage is held on the 25^th April in the area called Venta Seca. On this day the locals and visitors alike gather in the area to eat the traditional hornazo con choto (roast kid).and following this , the image of Saint Marcos is borne in a procession, as is that of the Virgin of Monsalud, which remains in the church until 13 June, the day it is returned in a procession to its hermitage

A great time to visit is the 12^th September where the Virgen de Monsalud. Fiesta takes place

That is the day of the “Embajadas” (“Embassies”), which is how the fiesta of “moors y cristianos” (Moors and Christians) is known in this locality which marks the struggle for the recovery of the statue of the Virgin, which has been stolen by the Moors. , The Christians send ambassadors to the enemy to ask for the return of the image. The “Relaciones” (“Relations”) are using the same text from the seventeenth century. The Moors reject the request and battle begins , the Christians win and recover the statue Following the battle the statue is paraded through the streets of the village as a way of making amends.

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Plaza de la Constitución, 1 (29194). Telephone: +34 952 759 028; Fax: +34 952 759 752