Comares: Rock Ledge, Culture and Routes

Geographical location

Comares is situated on a rocky outcrop and dominates the Periana corridor and parts of the Montes de la Axarquía to the north, as well as the extensive area of the Vélez Valley and the Sierra de Tejeda to the south.

More places to discover: Almachar, Colmenar, Ardales, Alozaina, Cuevas De San Marcos, Salares, Casares, Cuevas Del Becerro

Culture and history

Castillo Baluarte La Tahona preserves the remains of a wall that belonged to the former castle of Comares.

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación dates from 1505.

The Mudejar wooden ceilings of the presbytery and the nave are particularly noteworthy in the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación; the Sagrario Chapel, built in 1721, has a Rococo dome.

La Tahoncilla is a small tower and was part of the defensive ring of the castle of Comares.

La Coracha refers to the remains of the Arab wall surrounding the centre of Comares.

The Monumento al Fiestero stands in the Plaza de los Verdiales and represents Comares’ local Verdiales culture.

The Mesa de Maxmúllar contains a Mozarabic cistern from the 13th century, which was declared a national historic-artistic monument in May 1931.

The remains of a Mozarabic dwelling with three rooms and a millstone have also been preserved on the Mesa de Maxmúllar.

The Mesa de Maxmúllar contains anthropomorphic graves carved into the natural rock.

Around 30 storage vessels carved into the rock have been preserved on the Mesa de Maxmúllar; they were used to store grain.

An old Arab cistern is located next to the spring.

The historical evidence is thus spread across fortifications, religious architecture and the Mesa de Maxmúllar. Traces of settlement, water supply, burial and storage stand side by side there. The local culture also includes the Fiesta de Verdiales, with its combination of music, singing and dancing.

Activities

The 436-metre-long zip line in Comares has a height difference of 115 metres.

The Ruta Musulmana can be completed virtually by mobile phone and without a guide.

Comares has several via ferratas with different routes and sections, such as Tibetan bridges, monkey bridges and suspension bridges.

Access is via a dirt track that runs through olive groves.

The route is marked with wooden posts.

One route in Comares is approximately 3 kilometres long and takes about one hour.

Visitor routes lasting from one to six hours are available in Comares.

Festivals

The Fiesta de Verdiales (San Hilario de Poitiers) is recognised as a festival of provincial tourist interest in Málaga.

During the Fiesta de Verdiales, Verdiales music, singing and dancing take place all day at various locations in Comares.

For the overarching travel overview: Málaga.