The On-Line Guide to Salobreña and the surrounding areas
Salobreña - Costa Tropical - Andalucia - Spain
Salobreña
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Salobreña
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Salobrena has witnessed 6000 years of human history, thanks to its privileged position and benign climate.
As much of Spain, Salobreña was once part of the Moorish empire and was ruled by the Arab invaders for several hundred years until the Christians recaptured the town in 1489. The town's defense walls were later pulled down to allow for its further expansion.
The Moorish castle was built in the 10th century, and its Mudejar 16th century church, Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Rosario is built on top of the old mosque. Roman remains constantly turn up everywhere.
The economy of Salobreña has since the mid 1800's been centered on the production of sugar from the cane grown in the surrounding area. The Guadalfeo Delta is ideal for this purpose. To this day the production continues at the "Azucarera del Guadalfeo" , the last remaining trapiche (sugar mill) to produce sugar in the whole of Europe.
Azucarera del Guadalfeo was a pioneer in the production of cane sugar. A well respected farmer from Granada, D. Joaquín Agrela y Moreno, had the idea of installing trapiches to molture the sugar cane from the fertile valleys of Motril and Salobreña.
With the help of his sons, Mr. Agrela brought from England some trapiches at the beginning of 1860, and after serious difficulties in the initial tests conducted during that year, they managed to start industrial production in the spring of 1861..
As a consequence, the cane plantations proliferated and this industry provided work and wealth to Salobreña and the surrounding villages. The Agreda family prospered and eventually founded a bank which carried its name. This greatly contributed to the development of sugar manufacturing and other local industries. The bank was so influential that it produced paper money bearing its own name.
A second sugar factory was later installed at "La Caleta de Salobrena", this location was chosen because of a) its proximity to the Guadalfeo Delta where the cane was being produced and b) because the small bay was seen to present great advantages for sea commerce.
Today, Salobreña is a bustling and prosperous, albeit small, Spanish town. Tourism is beginning to feature as an important contributor to the local economy. Many foreigners from Northern Europe have in recent times begun to discover the charms and Tropical Climate of Salobreña - some have remained and
made the village their home.
Excerpts from the History of Salobreña
Regional: Europe: Spain: Autonomous Communities: Andalucia: Travel and Tourism: Travel Guides
