Benahavís facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benahavís
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 Benahavís
Location in Province of Málaga
Benahavís
Location in Andalusia
Benahavís
Location in Spain
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| Sovereign state |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Andalusia |
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| Province |  Málaga |
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| Comarca | Costa del Sol Occidental | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 145 km2 (56 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 150 m (490 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 7,989 | |
| • Density | 55.10/km2 (142.7/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Website | www.benahavis.es | |
Benahavís is a charming mountain village and municipality in the Province of Málaga, Spain. It's nestled among the mountains, about 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) from the coast. You can find it between the well-known towns of Marbella, Estepona, and Ronda.
Benahavís is known for its beautiful mountains and rivers. It's located on the southern side of the La Serranía de Ronda mountain range. This makes it one of the most mountainous villages on the western Costa del Sol. Even though it's close to popular beaches, it also offers amazing mountain views. Three rivers, the Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmansa, flow through its land. The area has many interesting natural and historical spots. These include places like El Cerro del Duque, Daidin, and the ancient Montemayor Castle.
In the late 1990s, a dam was built on the Guadalmina River. This changed the river flow, and now parts of it can be dry for much of the year.
Contents
History of Benahavís
Benahavís was founded by Arabs around the end of the 11th century. The village has a strong connection to the Arabic past of Andalusia. For a long time, it was part of the larger district of Marbella. However, in 1572, King Philip II gave Benahavís its own special charter. This meant it became an independent town.
Montemayor Castle's Importance
The Montemayor Castle was built even before Benahavís itself. It was very important in the past because of its excellent location. From the castle, people could see up to 100 kilometers of the coastline on a clear day. They could even see the African coast! This view was super helpful when there were threats from pirates or invaders. The castle's strategic spot led to many disagreements between different Arabic rulers.
The town's name, Benahavís, comes from an 11th-century Moorish prince named Havis. He ruled from Montemayor Castle. The name means "The Building of Habish" in Arabic. Some believe "Habish" might refer to someone of African descent.
Conquest by Catholic Monarchs
Later, the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, wanted to conquer the last Moorish kingdoms in southern Spain. They were already trying to take Granada. But first, they decided to capture the nearby province of Málaga.
On June 11, 1485, Benahavís and several other nearby places were given to King Ferdinand. This happened after a peace agreement was signed. The king then put Don Pedro Villandrado in charge of Benahavís. He became the first Christian mayor.
Becoming Independent
After this, Benahavís and Marbella had disagreements for over 350 years. These disputes were about land and control. Finally, Benahavís officially became an independent community. This was a big step in its history.
See also
In Spanish: Benahavís para niños
