Mezquitilla between the Coast and Phoenician History

Mezquitilla between the River Mouth and the Coast

Mezquitilla is located in the Lagos enclave on the left bank of the mouth of the Algarrobo River. The place is characterised as a small fishing and farming village. Due to its coastal location, tourism-related activities have gained importance. Those wishing to combine the coast and historical traces in Andalusia will encounter a place where the geographical location and village character are closely intertwined.

Playa de Mezquitilla Beach

Playa de Mezquitilla Beach has dark sand and pebbles. A lifeguard and bathing supervision service is available there every day from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Playa de la Mezquitilla Beach also has a walkway suitable for accessing the sand. In addition, there is an adapted toilet and staff to support people with special needs. This makes it possible to consider the surface, time window and available support as separate aspects when planning a beach stay.

Phoenician Traces and Archaeological Sites

Chorreras is a particularly rare example for the study of the urban planning of an eastern colony from the 8th century BC in the western Mediterranean. Morro de Mezquitilla forms part of an archaeological zone registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The most significant settlement phase of Morro de Mezquitilla was an archaic Phoenician settlement from the end of the 9th to the 6th century BC. Houses and rooms with square floor plans, as well as metallurgical furnaces, were found at Morro de Mezquitilla.

The Phoenician archaeological site of Chorreras is listed under Mezquitilla. The Chorreras site includes mud-brick houses, burial urns and grave goods dating back thousands of years. The ancient site “tomb 1 of Trayamar” is also located in the vicinity of Mezquitilla. The ancient sites “tomb 5 of Trayamar”, “tomb 2 of Trayamar” and “tomb 4 of Trayamar” are also located there. The named sites offer different historical perspectives, ranging from settlement structures to burial finds.

The Pecio de la Mezquitilla Wreck

The Pecio de la Mezquitilla wreck is regarded as evidence of coastal trade. It comes from a Punic merchant ship that transported amphorae. The wreck lies close to the coast opposite the archaeological sites of Morro de Mezquitilla and Chorreras. Thus, in addition to the archaeological sites on land, a specific maritime trade connection is also part of Mezquitilla’s historical surroundings.

Beaches in the Nearby and Wider Surrounding Area

Playa de Algarrobo Costa Beach is located in the vicinity of Mezquitilla. Playa Torre Del Mar Beach and Playa Los Llanos Beach are also located nearby. Playa Laguna Beach lies in the wider regional surroundings of Mezquitilla. The different spatial references help distinguish the named beach destinations from the immediate surroundings of the village and the wider regional area.

Other Places in Andalusia

Trapiche, Chilches, Torre Del Mar, Almayate, Benajarafe and Almayate Alto.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vélez-Málaga.