Sugar was an important part of the economy of the Axarquia for many years and there are numerous old sugar factories or mills scattered around in various states of repair.
Many are little more than ruins, others have been restored for use as museums, schools and other facilities, in some cases even maintaining parts of the original structure.
Just down from the Plaza Balcón de Maro are the remains of the old, abandoned sugar mill.
In 1582, Felipe de Armargol, a lawyer from Granada, purchased the title of ‘Lord of the Manor of Maro’ and promptly decided to cultivate sugar cane, constructing the first mill in the area.
Building began in 1585 and this also resulted in the construction of a road from Maro to Granada through the Sierra Almijara mountains. The factory remained in operation until the 1850′s when it was damaged by fire.
