The history of this village, now in ruins, dates back to the ninth and 10th centuries. The time when the Moors ruled Andalusia.

In this inaccessible area, also known as Las Mesas de Villaverde, with gorges and ravines, the rebel Omar Ben Hafsún settled. Together with Mozarabs and other Islamic groups, this was his headquarters for half a century to prepare uprisings against the Cordovan caliphate. This was even before the Islamic State was imposed with arms.

Omar Ben Hafsún had been born in the mountains of Málaga. While serving in the Cordoba army, a riot occurred and he had to flee to his uncle in North Africa. A few years later, he returned to Málaga with the idea of becoming king, as a holy man had prophesied to him. Omar received a lot of support from the mountain people, who were very dissatisfied with the Cordoba empire because of high taxes. Omar and his men also held the forts of Álora and Ardales. However, this was not enough as in 883 AD, Omar was captured and returned to the Cordoba army.

The church, probably built by Omar Ben Hafsun when he converted to Christianity, is the only one of Mozarabic origin known in which was the land of Al-Andalus. The church has a basilica plan and faces east. The nine-by-10-metre floor is divided into three naves with horseshoe arches, some of which are still preserved.

Activiteiten in de buurt

In de omgeving zijn nog tal van andere leuke activiteiten, zoals;

De meren van Ardales, hier kun je heerlijk zwemmen of lekker luieren

De grotten van Ardales met de oudste rotstekeningen ter wereld.

Caminito del Rey, een spectaculair pad langs de steile kliffen van een kloof.