Women's corner

Bentomiz Castle, one of the largest in the province, has its origins in a Roman fortification, although its present-day architecture clearly reflects the medieval Muslim influence. Its strategic location allowed it to control the Axarquia all the way to the sea, which is the origin of the place name Bentomiz, derived from the Latin montemar.

It played a key role in the 9th century during Ibn Hafsun's revolt against the Qur'anic state and in later centuries. The castle consists of two main areas: the citadel in the higher area to the north and a larger enclosure to house the population and livestock in times of danger.

It is located in a small hamlet of Arenas called Daimalos. Legend has it that during the Muslim period, a girl lived in the farmhouse who saw her youth pass without finding a suitor, and fearing that she would be single, she sought the advice of a holy man from the neighbouring Sayalonga. The wise old man advised the girl to drink from the spring several times a day.

She did so and, soon after, love was born. The young woman, radiant with happiness, told her friends what had happened and the legend was created: "whoever drinks the water from the spring in Daimalos, finds love".

This minaret, one of the oldest in Spain, is older than those of Árchez, Corumbela and Salares, and a twin of the one that disappeared in Arenas. Its interior is narrow, designed only for the passage of the muezzin.

With a square floor plan, it has four sections of different heights separated by imposts. Its interior houses a quadrangular staircase around a central pillar. The second section is notable for its blind horseshoe arches and its Mudejar finial with bells in semicircular openings. The tower, with a four-sided roof, is supported by a light-coloured wooden frame.

The church, originally a mosque until 1505, retained its brick minaret and Mudéjar structure, although it was reduced from three to two sections due to its inclination. Its coffered ceiling and bell tower reflect the Andalusian influence on the Mudejar style.

On 13 November 1926, an accidental fire destroyed the church, consuming the Renaissance altarpiece and the ceiling. Only a few books and the chalice of the tabernacle were saved. Its reconstruction began in 1944 thanks to collections and donations, allowing the acquisition of new, more modest images.

One of the most picturesque squares in Arenas, a meeting place for locals where we can refresh ourselves thanks to its central fountain.

From here we can observe the popular Andalusian architecture, with centuries of history, of houses with whitewashed façades and ceramic roofs that follow one after the other in no apparent order to create a unique atmosphere of winding yet steep streets.

A meeting and entertainment place for our elders, which invites us to take a break and enjoy the views offered by this peculiar balcony.