area feature


Spotlight on Estepona W


ith a population of 70,000, Estepona is one of the few coastal towns that has


succeeded in maintaining its pueblo charm and character. Notwithstanding, all the tourist facilities are here, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and cultural activities, and shops. Te numerous street cafes and tapas bars still serve traditional Spanish delicacies. In the ‘Old town’ the steep, narrow streets are pedestrianised and decorated with different colour flower pots. It is a delight for photographers. You will find bars and small shops in Estepona, where you’d least expect them, all very inviting and friendly. Te area has been occupied since prehistoric times; stone-age tools and


dolmens have been discovered. Romans occupied the area, but a seaquake destroyed their town or villa in the 4th century. Archaeologists have unearthed some foundations and ceramics, although the disaster’s effects (together with massive redevelopment in the 1960s) make further finds unlikely. References to ‘Salduba’ or ‘Silniana’ as an important natural port in old documents may refer to this town, or possibly Marbella’s San Pedro Alcantara district. Te name ‘Estepona’ probably comes from the Moorish Astabbuna or Al-extebunna. In 1342, the Battle of Estepona took place in the Bay of Estepona between the fleet of the Kingdom of Aragon and that of the


Marinid Dynasty, with the victorious Aragonese fleet subsequently destroyed near Gibraltar, but Christian forces ultimately winning the Siege of Algeciras. Aben al Jhatib, writing in the late 14th century, mentioned the town as being in a state of decay, living on its reputation for culinary delicacies, with its monuments deteriorated. Henry IV of Castile captured the town from the Moors in 1457. A church was built over what had been the town mosque, and a town grew around it, although it too was subsequently destroyed and all that remains is the old clock tower (and the nearby Simon Fernandez school). San Luis castle was built for coastal defence against Berber pirates. In 1502, the town received its first charter. However, it was governed as an administrative district of Marbella until


24 / PROPERTYMAIL


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