Property in Alhaurin El Grande
Mini guide to Alhaurin El Grande
The lovely village of Alhaurin el Grande is within easy reach of Malaga International Airport and the area is developing fast.
During the past decade the area has under gone development and has become an attractive area for property investors and people looking to relocate to Spain from other countries. This new found popularity has had a wonderful effect on Alhaurin el Grande and has encouraged the development of many new shops and improved facilities.
All this means that visitors to Alhaurin el Grande have more to do than ever before and can enjoy everything that the village has to offer. The area is rich in history and has lived through many different periods of rule and occupation from the Neoliths and the Romans to the French and the Moors. It was under Moorish rule that the village is reputed to have gained its present name. Alhaurin is thought to mean the Garden of Alla – a name given to the area because it was famous for being a fertile place where crops and fruit grew in abundance. Although some reports say that Alhaurin is an Arabic word that means ´people of the valley´.
The area was also named Alhaurin el Grande to distinguish it from its close neighbour Alhaurin de la Torre, which is around 15 kilometres eastwards. Before the Moorish occupation of the area, it was called Lauro Nova which was the name the Romans gave to the area during their period of rule there. Alhaurin de la Torre had previously been known by the Roman name of Lauro Vetus. As well as the plentiful harvests that the villagers enjoyed every year, the area is also famous for being rich in valuable mineral deposits, including silver and lead, which brought some wealth to the area during the Phoenician and Roman times.
Despite its long and chequered history, which has incorporated many invasions, Alhaurin el Grande has miraculously held on to some of the remnants of its past. In addition to the Moorish cork mill and the Moorish arch, you can still see remains of a Roman aqueduct and the many Roman houses that were built in the hills of Alhaurin. In the main town square you can see some original Roman columns that were discovered close by as well as enjoy spectacular views of the valley that lies below the village.
Residents and visitors to Alhaurin el Grande can enjoy many local facilities including golf courses, horse riding, trekking, tennis, swimming and shooting as well as soak up the history of the town.
The area also has a programme of activities all year round including the Easter-time celebrations of the Semana Santa, which are famous across Andalucia and throughout the world. Alhaurin also has its own programme of jazz festivals, and flamenco and dance festivals, which can be enjoyed during the warmer months.
If you are based in Alhaurin el Grande you are also well placed to enjoy the annual horse fair in the nearby village of Coin, where you can witness first hand the famous Andalucian dancing horses! In fact Coin itself is definitely worth a day trip from Alhaurin as it has a wide range of shopping and facilities including the La Trocha commercial centre, where you will find many modern shops, bars, restaurants and a cinema. The drive from Alhaurin el Grande to Coin will take you through some stunning countryside where you will pass beautiful orange and lemon groves and be able to fully appreciate the beauty of this part of southern Spain.
Aside from its abundance of rural and historical attractions, Alhaurin el Grande is also perfectly placed to enjoy beach life and the area is just a short drive away from the bustling Costa del Sol.
The beautiful town of Marbella is under 30 minutes´ drive away and the popular resort of Fuengirola can be reached in roughly the same amount of time in the other direction. Both Marbella and Fuengirola offer fantastic shopping facilities and you will find everything you could possibly need in both places. They are both major commercial centres and so if you are planning to work while you are in Alhaurin el Grande, both these areas are within a practical commuting distance. In fact, the proximity to these areas has played a part in Alhaurin el Grande becoming so popular in recent years.
When you visit Alhaurin el Grande you benefit from gaining the best of both worlds. You can enjoy a rural lifestyle with all that has to offer, but you are also within easy reach of the coast and some of the finest beaches in Spain. This means you have the perfect combination for taking a holiday or for all year round living.
