A Little Bit About The Area of Archez…

Árchez is a small village in the province of Málaga, in southern Spain. The village is situated approximately 21 kilometres from Vélez Málaga. It has a population of approximately 408 residents, who are known as Archeros.

Archez is located on the foothills of the Sierra Almijara on the scenic Mudejar Route.

Archez is located in a valley, and the River Turvilla runs through the village. Following the course of the river, a trail takes walkers up into the hills and into the neighbouring village of Canillas de Albaida. Along the course of the river, are the remains of three old flour mills, an indication of Archez’s previous status as an important farming village. Today, most of the village slopes are filled with vines, avocado and olive trees, and the local farmers can be seen with their mules collecting their harvests.

The peaceful village “comes alive” for one weekend in August when its annual Fiesta takes place. Fireworks, music and a horse race transform this sleepy village into a 24hr party venue.

Adjoined to the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacíon is a 16th-century Mudéjar tower whose minaret dates from the 13th century.

At the entrance of the village there is a beautiful mosaic that represents the coat of arms of the village, and includes some important historical elements.

When passing through Archez, there is a magnificent historical monument that should not be missed. It is the minaret (alminar) of the old mosque of the village, from the Al-Andalus period.

Like almost all the churches in Axarquia, the village church was built over the old mosque, but the minaret was preserved as the church tower. This minaret dates from the 14^th century and was declared a National Heritage Historic-Artistic Monument in 1979.

In the church you can admire the framework, also in the purest Mudejar style.

The heritage of the Arabs has been preserved to this day in the urban planning of this white village, but it has also been preserved in the gastronomy with dishes such as fennel soup, Mudejar style chicken, Cod omelettes with sugar cane honey (tortilla de bacalao con miel), Miggas with sardines, Chickpea soup with cod and Ajoblanco, the gastronomic emblem of Malaga’s summer dishes made with almonds, garlic, oil and vinegar.