History of Algarrobo

History of Algarrobo

Algarrobo is believed to have been inhabitated as far back as the Paleolithic, although the first documented prehistoric town is from the Copper Age.
Phoenicians artifacts found at Trayamar and several other antiquities found at the Morro de Mezquitilla have been described by Professors German Schubart and Niemeyer as some of the most important Phoenicians objects found in Western Europe.

Under the Roman Empire, Algarrobo becomes a very prosperous location. The population was displaced inland by the invading Germanic tribes and founded the first settlement of today's town.

When the Arabs invaded the Iberian Peninsula the town of Algarrobo was mostly occupied by Berbers coming from Algiers.
They introduced new crops, such as the almonds and small industries, mostly for the manufacturing of silk.

In 1487, after the Christian troops conquered the city of Vélez Malaga and the Fort of Bentomiz, Algarrobo becomes part of Castile.

During the French invasion of Spain by Napoleonic troops, Algarrobo was very close to be burned to the ground, but it could be avoided at the very last minute by sending a messenger to ask for clemency to Malaga, during which journey two horse died from exhaustion.

---