History and Origin of Malaga – The Phoenicians and their period in Malaka

Reading about ancient history is one of the most relaxing ways to travel from the comfort of your own home. Today, we explore the origins of one of Europe’s oldest cities: Malaga. Its story begins nearly three thousand years ago with the Phoenicians, a seafaring people who turned the bay into an important trading hub in the western Mediterranean.

Before their arrival, the area was already inhabited by local populations, including the Bastetani, and earlier farming communities who left behind impressive monuments such as the Dolmens of Antequera. However, it was the Phoenicians who transformed Malaga (then known as Malaka) into a thriving commercial centre.

Who Were the Phoenicians?

The Phoenicians originated from the region of Canaan (present-day Lebanon and coastal Syria). From around the 12th century BC, lacking fertile farmland at home, they turned to the sea. Over time, they became master navigators and traders, establishing colonies across the Mediterranean.

They are credited with developing the alphabet that was later adapted by the Greeks and became the basis for most Western alphabets. Renowned as the great merchants of antiquity, the Phoenicians traded in purple dye (extracted from sea snails), salted fish, wine, metals and ceramics. They were not a warlike people and preferred to settle in areas where they could trade peacefully with local populations.

Malaka: The Birth of Malaga

The Phoenicians established several settlements in the Bay of Malaga from the 9th–8th centuries BC. The most important was Malaka, located at the foot of Gibralfaro hill, where the natural harbour provided an excellent sheltered anchorage.

The settlement specialised in fish salting and the production of purple dye. It quickly became a prosperous trading post that even minted its own coins and maintained strong commercial links with other Phoenician and Greek colonies.

After the Romans arrived on the Iberian Peninsula in 237 BC, Malaka offered no resistance and was granted autonomy. Over the centuries it gradually became Romanised while retaining its importance as a port and commercial centre.

The Phoenician Wall Still Visible Today

Remains of the original Phoenician city wall (4th–3rd centuries BC) can still be seen in the basements and foundations of several buildings in Malaga’s historic centre:

• Picasso Museum (former Buenavista Palace) – the best-preserved section, reaching up to 4 metres in height.
• Between Cister and San Agustín streets.
• University of Malaga Rectorate.
• Palacio de la Aduana (remains of the Phoenician harbour wall).

For more photographs and information, visit the Picasso Museum Málaga website.

Other Important Phoenician Sites in the Province

Cerro del Villar (Guadalhorce)

At the mouth of the Guadalhorce River lay another significant Phoenician settlement, founded around the 9th–8th centuries BC and gradually abandoned in the 6th century BC, likely due to flooding and changes in the river delta. It featured a harbour, large buildings and possibly a defensive wall. Many historians believe Malaka grew alongside or eventually absorbed part of this community.

The University of Malaga offers an excellent virtual tour that lets you explore the ancient pier and daily life of its inhabitants. The area is also a pleasant natural spot with signposted walking trails where you can enjoy the local flora and fauna.

Map and directions to Cerro del Villar

The Vélez River Sites (Axarquía)

The mouth of the Vélez River contains one of the most important Phoenician archaeological complexes in Andalusia:

• Toscanos: Founded in the 8th century BC, it grew to around 1,500 inhabitants. The economy was based on fishing, agriculture, livestock and purple dye production. It was later reoccupied by the Romans.
• Cerro del Peñón, Cerro Alarcón and Cerro del Mar: Related settlements with remains of walls, housing areas and workshops.
• Necropolis of El Jardín: One of the largest Phoenician cemeteries in Europe, located a short distance from Toscanos.

Religion and Phoenician Traditions in Malaga

The Phoenicians were polytheistic, with gods varying slightly between cities. In Malaga, special importance was given to the goddess Noctiluca (also known as Malac), associated with the sea and night. Coins and artefacts suggest she was carried in procession and immersed in the sea to ensure good fishing — a tradition that bears a striking resemblance to today’s maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen every July.

The Phoenicians also introduced several grape varieties that became native to the region and may have influenced the development of famous local wines such as Pedro Ximénez. Their alphabet and trading expertise left a lasting mark on the entire Mediterranean.

The Enigmatic Greek Presence: Mainake

Classical texts mention a Greek colony called Mainake, considered the westernmost Greek settlement. Its exact location remains uncertain. While some suggest it was in present-day Malaga, most scholars now believe it was either a Greek trading quarter within the Phoenician city of Malaka or located elsewhere along the coast, possibly near Almuñécar (ancient Sexi). Although there is clear evidence of Greek trade, no purely Greek settlement has been discovered.

The Tomb of the Warrior

Discovered in 2012, this remarkable burial from the 6th century BC belonged to a man of about 40 years old, possibly a Greek merchant or mercenary living in Phoenician Malaka. The grave goods, including a Greek helmet and weapons, are now on display at the Museum of Malaga.

A Living Heritage

After the Phoenicians came the Romans, Visigoths, Byzantines and Moors. Yet the Phoenician foundation shaped Malaga’s identity as a city open to the sea and to trade. Today, you can still touch this ancient past in the historic centre, at the Picasso Museum, in local museums and at the archaeological sites scattered across the province.

If you enjoy discovering hidden layers of history, Malaga offers a fascinating journey through time. We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into the city’s Phoenician roots — there is still so much more to explore!

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