DID YOU KNOW?

If you thought you knew all there was to know about Mijas, these 10 fascinating facts could make you think twice

War Heroes

In 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars not even the distinguished British General Blayney and his 2,000 soldiers were able to conquer Mijas. Under ferocious attack by sea and land, the defenders routed British and Spanish forces, captured Blayney and sent the troops scuttling north. It’s known as the Battle of Fuengirola but it was really Mijas as you’ll see below.

MARBLE-OUS MIJAS

Who would guess there are pieces of Mijas all over Spain.

Marble was its main export during the XVII and XVIII centuries when it was used to embellish many important places of worship, including the cathedrals of Malaga and Sevilla, San Pedro Church in Granada and Santa Tecla in Burgos.

Buried Treasure

Traces of Punic-Phoenician temples have been found in only eight locations throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Mijas is one.

During excavations in 2013 two bronze pieces representing the Eyes of Astarte the goddess were found within the old city walls, suggesting that the site was once a sanctuary to a healing cult.

During the 1960s Mijas was a much sought-after backdrop for movie makers for its the typical Andalucian charm.

Brigitte Bardot (above), Raquel Welch and the Spanish actress and singer Marisol respectively strolled its romantic streets in Les Bijoutiers du clair de lune (1958) Fathom (1967)” and Solos los dos (1968).

SHAPE-SHIFTING

Most bullrings are round but Mijas has one of the few oval plazas de toros in Spain. Built in 1900 by popular demand, it’s not easy to pick out, so well is it camouflaged among the white village houses.