{"id":7705,"date":"2020-03-31T11:08:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T11:08:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/?p=7705"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T11:43:06","slug":"origin-of-malaga-phoenicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/museums\/origin-of-malaga-phoenicians\/","title":{"rendered":"History and Origin of Malaga – The Phoenicians and their period in Malaka"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. However, it was the Phoenicians who transformed Malaga (then known as Malaka) into a thriving commercial centre.<\/p>\n


\n\"Guadalhorce
\n<\/a>
Guadalhorce Valley. When the Phoenicians arrived on these shores, they found a fertile and strategically located land inhabited by local communities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who Were the Phoenicians?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n


\n\"Phoenician
\n<\/a>
Illustration of a Phoenician purple dye factory by the sea. This luxurious colour was so exclusive that only the wealthiest citizens and kings could afford it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Malaka: The Birth of Malaga<\/h2>\n

The Phoenicians established several settlements in the Bay of Malaga from the 9th\u20138th centuries BC. The most important was Malaka<\/strong>, located at the foot of Gibralfaro hill, where the natural harbour provided an excellent sheltered anchorage.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n


\n\"Recreation
\n<\/a>
Recreation of Malaka during the Phoenician period.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Phoenician Wall Still Visible Today<\/h3>\n

Remains of the original Phoenician city wall (4th\u20133rd centuries BC) can still be seen in the basements and foundations of several buildings in Malaga\u2019s historic centre:<\/p>\n