In 1491, the Catholic Monarchs granted a citizen of Malaga, Alonso Palmero, a letter of privilege allowing him to repopulate the area and rebuild the village and its castle under the supervision of the chief magistrate of the aforementioned city.īenalmadena became a key location in the defence of the coast against the attacks of North African pirates. This was not the case, however, as its inhabitants, protected by their fortress, offered stiff resistance, and King Ferdinand was forced to direct operations himself.įollowing its capture in 1485, the castle was totally destroyed and its inhabitants dispersed. After the surrender of Marbella, the Catholic Monarchs turned their attention to Benalmadena, believing that the remaining villages on the way to the city of Malaga would present few difficulties. Prior to the Moslem occupation, Benalmadena had been colonised by Phoenician merchants.ĭuring Arabic times, the castle was an important defensive structure. The Arabs gave the village its name, which appears to be derived from Banu Al Madena, meaning "sons of the mines", a reference to the important mineral deposits which had been heavily exploited since Roman times a number of archaeological remains pertaining to this period have been unearthed here, notably a mosaic which can be found in the Alcazaba Museum in Malaga.
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