Frigiliana is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality of Frigiliana is situated approximately 56 kilometres from the provincial capital and approximately 6 kilometres from Nerja.

Frigiliana is one of the prettiest of the Andalucian pueblo blancos or white village. With its steep cobbled streets, churches and small restaurants and bars Frigiliana is a very popular tourist destination. To the back of Frigiliana there are a huge range of walks amongst stunning countryside with pine trees a plenty, eagles, wild boar, goats, Ibex, waterfalls and lots more.

In recent years Frigiliana has been investing in its infrastructure to provide more amenities for it´s residents such as a swimming pool, multi story car park, skate boarding park and much more. 

The bulk of the 40km2 that is Frigilana is situated in the very scenic Almijara Sierra mountain range with impressive scenery created by the interaction of the villages two main rivers the Higuerón and the Chillar. The lower parts of Frigilana are denoted by a lushness and abundance of fruit trees due to the irrigation from the all year round supply of water from the mountains. Indeed there is mountain water flowing through the village in public taps all year round. The village has an approximate altitude of 435m and a recorded average rainfall of 590 l/m2 per year. With average annual temperatures of 18º it is no wonder the area is so fertile.

There is a population of approximately 2,500 people in the village with many young families in residence unlike many other Andalucian inland villages with an aging population. The village has done much to provide for the younger generations with sports facilities, swimming pools, skate board parks etc.

History of Frigiliana

There is evidence of settlement going back to the neolithic period (circa 3000bc ). A great example of this is from the Cueva de los Murcielagos. The remains of a necropolis give evidence of Phoenician settlement which was widespread along this section of Coastline. After the Phoenicians came the Romans who it is thought named the village Frexiniusana, meaning villa of Frexinio. After the Romans came the Arabs who changed the name of the village to Fixiana. The Moors lived here peacefully for 100s of years before the Christian conquest in 1487 in the battle of the Peñoñ de Frigilana where Christian troops cast out and sold the Moors of Frigilana.

After the conquest by the Christian troops in 1487, the Moors of Frigiliana lived in peace with their co-neighbour Christians until the revolt in the 16th century put an end to this situation. There they escaped the decisive battle of Peñon de Frigiliana, described with all the pathos of the situation by the chroniclers who witnessed the attack by the Christian troops. After the hard battle in 1569, the Moors were sold and expelled, and the location was repopulated with old Christians from the neighbouring provinces.

The village still celebrates this part of their history with the Festival of the Three Cultures ( Christian, Moors and Jews).

The village is the most outstanding example of a white Andalucian village , with cobbled narrow roads and paths. Very picturesque with great views down the valley to the Mediterranean Sea.

Historic buildings in Frigiliana include

The Church of San Antonio (1676), the ancient granaries ( 1767), the Palace of the Count of Frigiliana, farm buildings dating back to 1568 which were latterly converted into the Sugar refinery. There are various other Roman ruins at El Fuerte and Castillo de Lizar ( medieval fort). As you wander around the old parts of Frigiliana you can find 12  ceramic  mosaics tell the story of the Moorish rebellion in the village. They were made by two craftswomen, the potter Amparo Ruiz de Luna and the glass painting artist Pilar García Millán.

Gastronomy in Frigiliana

The gastronomy is based on popular local creations and dishes common to the Axarquía. The most representative dishes are the "ajocolorao", kid baked in oil, floyr breadcrumbs and Easter broth. Among the confectionaries there is the molasses, yams with cane honey, San Juan cakes or 'hornazo sanjuanero', cane honey and Muscatel wine.

 Frigiliana's festivities and tradition

The patron saint's festivity is on the 20th of January. At Easter there is the procession of the Soledad and feet washing of the Apostles. The 3rd of May is the festival of the Cross and the 13th of June are the main festivities dedicated to another patron saint, San Antonio.

The 24th of June, San Juan, is also celebrated in Frigiliana with the tradition of the "sanjuaneo", going to the countryside to eat 'hornazo'. On the 7th of September, finally, they celebrate Candlemas in the countryside. The also do a bull run featuring young bulls as they run through the village chasing those who are brave enough to run in front. This is more symbolic than anything and is done early on a Sunday morning to avoid stifling summer temperatures. The welfare of the young bulls are a high priority. Splashtonbury is another popular cultural event where a large outdoor music festival featuring up to 15 bands.