We are in rural Andalucia and are equidistant between the hilltop town of Alora and the beautiful town of Antequera, on the A343 in the Malaga / Seville / Granada triangle.
Finca La Mariposa is set on a hillside overlooking the Pueblo (village) of Valle De Abdalajis and is only 1km from the village centre. The views from the Finca can only be described as stunning with the mountain range of the Pennibeticas as its backdrop.
The village is a very typical Spanish white village, it is some 340 meters above sea level and has a population of just over 5,000. There are numerous bars and restaurants which provide super quality at very low prices as they are aimed at the locals (food and drinks are not only better but are about half the cost of similar on the coast). A typical meal of fish or pork as a speciality with wine for 2 people will be about 20 to 30 euros. Tapas is also readily available at about 1 euro. Menu de la dia (designed for workers' lunchtime) consisting of bottle of wine and 2/3 courses is about 7 euros.
The village throughout history has been the home of many races including the Iberians, Celts, Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs. In fact, the village has been built on the site of the ancient Roman city of Nescania. But history in these parts goes back long before the Romans, and even prehistoric remains, such as stone axes and pottery, can be found in the area. Greek pottery from 500BC has been found in the area.
Much later when the Arabs arrived the area was ruled by the son of Muza (one of the arab leaders) called Abd-el-Azis the reason the village is so called today.
The Arabs ruled the area for some 700 years but during that time no-one lived in the old Roman town, living instead in the farms and orchards surrounding the town.
When the Arabs were finally beaten back from the valley in 1492, and after the taking of Malaga city the lands were distributed as favours for assistance given during the fighting. This valley was given to Juan De Eslava and from that time on the village evolved to that seen today.