Comares is one of the highest ‘pueblo blancos’ (White Villages) in Andalucía, situated some 739 metres above sea level. Throughout the village are ceramic plaques depicting the history of the village, which can be traced back to the third century BC.
The village is typically Moorish in its layout and design, with narrow cobbled streets and archways. There are also two plazas, two bars, two supermarkets, a post office and a bank.
The main industry in Comares is the production of olive oil, wine and almonds while, in the valley, esparto grass is grown for domestic and agricultural use.
Leave Nerja on the main road. Continue on MA-105 for 462m. Take 2nd exit from roundabout. Continue a short way then take 2nd exit at next roundabout. You are now on the N-340/E15. Continue for 19.7km then take exit 272 to Vélez-Málaga/Torre del Mar/Colmenar. Follow the road signposted Vélez-Málaga/ Viñuela/ Colmenar/ Zafarraya and at the roundabout take the first exit. Follow the A-355 for 6.1km and take the second exit at each of the next two roundabouts. Follow the MA-145 for 8.3km, the MA-159 for 3.4km and then the MA-169 for 7.7km and you are in Comares….hopefully. The mountain road is windy with lots of historic old inns along the way.
Statistics
Area: square kilometres
Altitude: 739 mtrs above sea level
Population: +/-
Distance from Nerja: km
Driving Time: +/-
Location
Places of Interest
The Castle of Comares is a Moorish fortress built on the site of the old Roman military post that was, along with the castles of Benthomiz and Zalía, one of the principal three of the Axarquía. Its name was Hins Qumarich in Arabic, and the name of the town derives from this.
The village was one of the defensive bastions of Omar Ben Hafsun and during the early times of the Moorish caliphs in Cordoba it protected what was the local capital on the Mazmullar plateau, some four kilometres from the village. Two of the towers still remain, one of them next to the cemetery at the top of the village.
Strategically important in the defence of the crumbling Moorish territories, Comares was finally conquered by the Catholic Kings in 1487.The area of the castle is known locally as the Tahona, possibly a corruption of the Arabic taha, meaning fortress.
Just two kilometres from the town is the Meseta de Mazmúllar, with the remains of streets and houses, and an old water reservoir built by the Moors and declared a national monument in 1931. It has a gallery in three naves and another three naves joined by a series of arches and vaulted ceilings, making a total of nine compartments.
One of the main buildings in the village is the sixteenth century Mudéjar Iglesía de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation), built on the highest point of the town. The original building dates back to 1505 and the side chapel was added in 1721.
Two centuries later, in 1721, the Chapel of the Sagrario was added, with a gesso dome in the rococo style. The exterior has a tower built on to the main structure, also of the 16th century and with arches in the typical Moorish style of the period. The other tower, over the Capilla del Sagrario, is very similar to those of El Borge and Vélez-Málaga, with an octagonal ground plan and highly decorated walls.
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Soups, such as gazpachuelo, in the summer and in winter it’s potato broth, potato stew, ajoblanco and tomato soup. Comares is also famous for its sweet muscatel wine.
Local Festivals
Fiestas de la Virgen de la Candelaria y San Blas ( January 31st to February 3rd)
Semana Santa
Romería ‘Dia de la Pipa’ (May 3rd)
San Juan (June 24th)
Fiestas de la Virgen de la Asunción ( August)
Fiesta del Mosto y La Chacina (December)
Useful Info
Where to Stay
Hotel Balcón de Los Montes***
calle Calle Serranía de Ronda
29170 Colmenar
Tel: 952730530
Where to Eat
El Molino de los Abuelos.
Balcón de la Axarquía 2.
Tel: 952 509 309. Specializes in home cooking.
Bar-Restaurante La Plaza. Plaza Generalísimo 3. Tel: 952 509 298. Specializes in kid in sauce.
Restaurante Ortega. Lugar la Loma 4.
Tel: 952 115 333. Specializes in lamb.
Bar Marín. Llano Almendra 69.
Tel: 952 115 441.
Bar Cabello. Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera 21.
Tel: 952 509 217.