The first human settlements in the area are from upper Palaeolithic, 20.000 years as the findings of some caves located in the area: “Cueva Del Toro”, “Cueva del botijo” and “Cueva de la Zorrera” In the eight and seventh centuries BC, the Phoenicians, were interested of the mining of the zone. Phoenicians see left their mark on the Malaga coast and founded several colonies all over the Spanish coast. Romans replaced Phoenicians at the trade and start to use the Mediterranean richness. Among the Romans remains are the ruins of Benal-Roma, a salting factory located on the coast, the site of Torremuelle, and enamelware and other items preserved in the Museum of Benalmádena. The wine culture had great importance during the period of roman domination.
Middle age
The following centuries the areas were so depopulated. Locals sought refuge into the Malaga’s city walls for the attacks and looting came from the sea. The municipality, were including into the roman province of Baetica, and after that were takes for Visigoths and Byzantines. After the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, this area has a major development. In XI century, the population was concentrated into a walled town and a fortress, both located in “Benalmádena pueblo”. Muslims develop the agriculture and introduced the sugar cane, figs, grapes and mulberry (used at the textile industry) brought from the East. In this times are when Ibn al-Baitar was born (1197) one of the most important botanic and pharmacologists of the middle age.
Before French revolution
In 1456 the fort and the town were destroyed by Christian armies under the command of King Enrique IV de Castilla. The villager, take refuge in Mijas to rebuild their homes, to be destroyed again in 1485 by Fernando the
