Benamargosa is a lively village that stands at the heart of the Vélez-Málaga region and dates back to the 15th century to the time of the Moriscos, Moorish converts to Christianity. As you drive past Axarquia airport the scenery changes to a lush, tropical paradise, resplendently verdant with avocado and mango trees vying for attention between lemon and orange groves. The mostly dry river bed winds its way past Triana village until it comes to Benamargosa bridge, Puente de los Diez Ojos, so named because of the 10 arches or eyes. Usually dry the river bed is used as a road for the farmers who work the land on either side and the many residents who have houses dotted along it from Triana to Cútar. Most days you find goats, mules, donkeys and horses lazily passing along it. Just opposite the bridge are lovely gardens with an avenue of trees and flowers, a central fountain featuring 4 naked girls, a children’s play area and a municipal swimming pool with sunbathing area, child’s pool and cafeteria. The annual Fiesta del Campo erects a stage close to the bridge where performers entertain all night and visitors are offered Baticates, the local drink of avocado, cinnamon and a host of secret ingredients, followed later by an enormous paella with beer and wine.
Also in the lower part of the village is the Church of St. Mary of the Incarnation where baptisms took place as early as 1546. This church has an interesting piece of architecture where a huge archway joins the church to a neighbouring house.
As you walk onwards and upwards through the Benamargosa village there are several long straight streets and other more narrow ones that weave their way across. There is a lovely square where the old town hall used to be with a pretty fountain and some very old houses some of which have been beautifully renovated. Higher up are the gardens of San Sebastián with stone steps leading up and through a narrow passageway dividing two houses, you can rest in these gardens as the town hall have thoughtfully provided several benches.