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The Tramores Estate
Andalucia, Southern Spain

History

Bloodthirsty Arab kings fought to their deaths to live in the bastion of Benahavís, the castle of Montemayor. Built by slaves in the 10th century 580ft up in the mountains it boasted the viewpoint any military leader would die for – over a hundred kilometres of coastline, in sight of the African coast with only one way in. It was the ideal, impenetrable and uniquely positioned stronghold, surrounded by 5 defending towers, Tramores, Leonora, Campanilla, Estéril and Daidin, unless, of course, your opponents were the ruthless and fearless Christian armies...

For Benahavís the Christian era began on 11th January 1485, when the Catholic Kings entered Marbella and received the keys to the town from Mohammed Abunela. A XV Century watchtower, which backs on to what is now the Town Hall, is said to have once been a prison, although today you are more likely to hear the gentle cooing of doves than the shout of some poor wretch behind bars! Benahavís gained its independence from Marbella on 31st May 1572 when King Phillip II issued a "Carta Puebla" which made it autonomous. Benahavís and the Montemayor castle were also important during the Napoleonic invasion in 1809.

The village today is typically Spanish – narrow streets, well shaded on hot days, white washed houses and all the natural charm of the inhabitants, but with a subtle difference. Although only a small proportion of the 2000 residents are foreigners the village has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. This is no doubt brought about by the many visitors who come to the village to sample the local cuisine for which Benahavís is renowned.