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Competa History on the Costa del Sol in Spain |
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Competa |
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The area of Competa is rich in history of past civilizations, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, to name just a few. They settled in this lovely land, contrary to dominating it, and were quietly charmed by its sun blessed seclusion, wonderful climate and tranquil customs.
Competa is one of the most spectacular towns in the province. For mountain lovers, a nature walk through a forest trail, which leads to Venta Panaderos by the Casa de la Mina, or mine house, is an unforgetable excursion, with wonderful views of the Verde, Tres Cruces, Cisne and many other hills, which make the Sierra Almijara into a marvelous panorama. At the foot of Competa town are the Axarquía mountains, with a more modest relief than the sierra mountains, but no less beautiful. People have transformed the surroundings with vineyards, scattered with white houses, many with the typical paseros, where they lay out the muscatel grapes to dry and convert them into wine and the exquisite raisin dessert.
Competa is a passway, part of one of the old paths that crosses the sierra of Granada and Málaga, its climate and shelter, in the mountains, has defended the town against invaders, but the history of Competa begins with the conquest of Vélez-Málaga in 1487.
Soon after the Christian conquest of Spain, the Moors of Competa joined the rebellion which their people started in the Axarquía, making forts in the Peñon de Frigiliana. They resisted various attacks by Christian troops but on the 12th of June 1569, the fort fell, and although most of the defenders where killed, those that did escape continued to harass the Chrisitians for estates and church posessions, which forced the Christian garrison's reinforcement, in order to better control the passage of Moors from Granada. From 1570, the land around Competa was populated by Christians from Sevilla, Estepa, Baena and Puente Genil, and other towns.
Walking through the steep streets of the town you can see houses in a traditional Arabic style of construction, of one or two storeys and archway entrances. In the main square of Competa there is the church of the Asunción which was built at the end of the 16th century and later restored. The church of the Asunción has three naves that is separated by arches which rest on octagonal pillars. Outside the church's front, which was reconstructed after the earthquake in 1884, is a lintel archway and belfry with a vaulted niche. |
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