Torre del Mar's port developed in the wake of the Christian conquest under the protection of the fortress -part of whose walls still stand today of Rui Lopez of Toledo, a distinguished Castilian soldier who was awarded this military enclave in return for his role in the capture of Velez. The 18th century (1704) saw one of the most important naval battles of the War of Succession. A Franco-Spanish fleet and the combined forces of the English and
Dutch navies locked horns in a fierce battle involving 146 ships and almost 50,000 men. The confrontation failed to produce a clear victor and the Anglo-Dutch contingent withdrew to the port of Gibraltar, the French and Spanish heading for Malaga. Another important episode in Velez’s history occurred during the War of Independence, when retreating Napoleonic troops blew up the town’s walls, which were left practically in ruins. The city and its municipal area were also affected by the
major tremor known as the Andalusian Earthquake on Christmas Day 1884, suffering six mortalities and extensive material damage.
Phoenician research in the region of Torre del Mar
The find sites of Toscanos, Alarcón and Jardín are situated on the right bank and the Cerro del Mar is situated on the left bank of the Río Vélez at its estuary zone with the Mediterranean Sea west of Torre del Mar. East of Torre del Mar, the sites of Trayamar (fig.: Phoenician gold pendants) and the Morro de Mezquitilla are found in the estuary zone of the river Río Algarrobo with the Mediterranean Sea.
FESTIVITIES
Between
the end of April and beginning of May they celebrate the festivity of
the Santa Cruz, in commemoration of the taking of Velez by Fernando El
Catolico. On the 29th of September is San Miguel day, coinciding with
the cattle fair.
For
San Juan there is the Fiesta de Capuchinos, and on the 16th of July
they pay hommage to the Virgin with the Veladilla del Carmen, with a
marine procession in which fishing boats participate from all the area.
Easter
is one of the most important festivities in Andalusia and in the last
few years the Carnivals have gained vigour.
Flamenco
can still be heard, although sporadically. The "malagueña de
Vélez", is also known popularly as the "cante de Juan
Breva".
