DEEP IN THE HEART OF THE AXARQUÍA REGION, ON THE BORDER OF THE MONTES DE MÁLAGA, STANDS EL BORGE, A SMALL TOWN OVERLOOKING RAISIN AND VINE COUNTRY. THE SO-CALLED CAPITAL OF THE RAISIN IS A TRANQUIL SPOT OF WHITEWASHED HOUSE FRONTS. COLOURFUL BALCONIES AND WINDING ALLEYWAYS, LEGACY OF ITS REBELLIOUS MOORISH PAST.

Standing 237 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Cerro Cútar (595 m.), alongside the river of the same name, El Borge rises above precipitous hillsides covered with vineyeards and olive groves. On the gentler contours of the lower slopes are cornfields, with orchards of citrus and other fruits, and vegetable plots occupying the base of the valley.

Quite when or how El Borge was founded is a mystery, as the only data available are based purely on the form of the settlement. In any case, the history of the village is similar to that almost all those of the Axarquía region. What is a matter of record is that is was a rebel flashpoint during the great Moorish uprising, to the extent that the Governor of Vélez had to send a considerable detachment to quell ist streets. One of the most remarkable local characters was the bandit known as 'Cross-eye of el Borge', who in 1880 ran circles around the Civil Guard of the district. The force suffered more casualties at his hands than those of any other bandit, although popular legend portrays him as an almost romantic outlaw. The town's Bandit Museum is dedicated to him, and also houses a collection of paintings and illustrations of the bandit life, along with other historical features.

A walk in white
Perhaps El Borge's greatest attraction is simply to let your feet wander down its steep, whitewashed streets, festooned always with blooming geraniums.
One must-see is the district fo El Rinconcillo, where you will find various streets connected by flights of steps.
The Church of the Rosary is the town's most significant historical building, constructed in 1505 on the foundations of the former mosque. Architectually it is one of the most remarkable churches in the region, adopting an original stance somewhere between the Gothic and Renaissance styles.
The naves, meanwhile, are supported by Mudejar-style wooden bracing, while the niches reveal Baroque coffering. In the square outside, to one side of the church, can be seen an elaborate fountain decorated with painted tiles representing Our Lady of Lourdes. Another notable fountain, or Arab origin and recently restored, is known as the Horn Fountain.
The Ornithological and Botanical Park of La Alcua is another fine place in which to lose oneself, its magnificent gardens hone to many exotic plants, fountains and species of bitd. Another treat offered by a visit to El Borge is its food and drik. The simple but varied local menu features such delights as gazpacho accompanied with broad beans and raisins, ajoblanco, a cold almond and garlic soup, and the traditional hornazo pie, prepared for the feast of Saint Mark. Special mention should also be made of the raisins, either as they are or in brandy, and, of course, the muscatel wine.
The introduction throughout the Axarquía region of many subtropical and greenhouse crops (avocados, custard apples, mangoes, papaya, etc.) has greatly enriched the flavours available to its culinary traditions.

Basic data
Size: 25,70 Km²
Population: 1,071
Residents known as: Borgeños
Monuments: Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Rinconcillo Barrio.
Geographical situation: Between the Mountains of Malaga and the Axarquía, 24 kilometres from Vélez Málaga and 28 from Malaga.
Tourist information: Town Hall, Plaza Constitución, 1. 29718 Málaga.
Phone: 952 512 033

Places to be visited

Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
The most interesting building, as in most villages in the area, is the church. As in most villages in the province of Malaga, too, in El Borge it was built in the early sixteenth century, on the orders of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, on the foundations of an old mosque. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, it was consecrated on May 25th 1505 by the Archbishop of Seville, Diego de Deza. Architecturally it is one of the most interesting churches in the Axarquía region, being designed in an original combination of Gothic and Renaissance. The church tower, however, is baroque. Although its base is rectangular, further up the tower becomes octagonal, being topped by a roof of vitrified ceramic tiles. On one side of the square where the church stands there is a fountain decorated with tiles representing the Virgen of Lourdes.
The Rinconcillo Barrio
One cannot visit El Borge without taking a stroll down the streets filled with genanium pots in the windows. Particularly beautiful is the barrio of El Rinconcillo, the streets themselves stepped in places to accommodate the lie of the land.
El Bizco de El Borge
In the days before communications were so fast or so easy the village was home to one of the most famous bandits in the province of Malaga - El Bizco del Borge (the cross-eyed man from El Borge). Described as bloodthirsty, depraved and treacherous, he was born on September 2nd 1837 and died in Lucena, in the province of Cordoba, in a confrontation with Civil Guards, on May 21st, 1889. The scene of his most famous deed was the village of Alfarnate, where he murdered a gallant young man known as El Chirrina, who had given El Bizco away when he was planning an attack. The bandit was twice wed but neither of the marriages was particularly happy, due to his lifestyle.
Museum of Popular Arts. C/Río, 3. Tel: 952 512 133. Visits on appointment.


HOW TO GET THERE
Access to El Borge by road is not particularly difficult. The best way from the city of Malaga is along the Autovía del Mediterráneo, turning off on the Benagalbón and Moclinejo road at Rincón de la Victoria. From Vélez-Málaga, take the the C-335 road in the Benamocarra direction. The town’s geographical position allows us to enjoy rural and beach tourism at the same time, since it is only fifteen minutes from the beaches of Torre del Mar and Rincón de la Victoría.

FIESTAS
The main festivity in El Borge is held on September 24th, celebrated as Raisin Day. Thousand of visitors flock to the village to drink the wines and eat the grapes. Other local specialities include two types of gazpacho, one made with broad beans and one with cucumber. The feast of the patron saint of the village, St. Gabriel, is celebrated on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the procession to the Camposanto. The celebrations begin after mass, when the church bells ring out. Another popular festival here is the Sanmarqueo, unique to this place, which takes place on April 25th. The romería in honour of San Isidro is on May 15th, when the saint’s image is carried in procession through the streets. And finally there is the San Juan festival at the end of June, with the Noche de las Candelas, the Night of the Candles.

GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy of El Borge can be enjoyed at any time of the year, although it is best to go there on a gastronomic trip during the Día de la Pasa, Raisin Day, when visitors can taste the different varieties of grapes, the aguardiente or the gazpacho soup with beans or cucumber, a speciality of the area.