Text description provided by the architects. This project is drafted at the request of the Vélez-Málaga City Council and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The purpose of the action is to recover a degraded green area located in the vicinity of the Alcazaba-Fortress, which, due to its orographic characteristics, is a perfect place to observe the city and its relationship with the surrounding territory.
The recovery of the green area is linked to the recirculation of rainwater that currently flows down the street adjacent to the site and runs off during precipitation. The project redirects this rainwater to a reservoir located beneath one of the viewpoints to irrigate the hillside garden during drier periods.
© Fernando Gómez MateosThe location of the project is at the highest point of the city, in the heart of the La Villa neighborhood, included within the scope of the BIC Historic Center of Vélez-Málaga, within the execution unit UE-Pepri 1 "La Fortaleza," and with Type B archaeological protection. It is an area with significant historical-artistic value, but like many historic centers, it is an area facing social issues and depopulation that needs revitalization.
Plan1 – Improvement of the connection between Palafrenero Street and Fortaleza Street, with the construction of a staircase between the two, in a safe manner that is integrated into the environment. (Palafrenero Staircase).
2 - New sidewalk on Fortaleza Street, from the previously described staircase to the end of the plot, delineating the area of action and providing access to the square proposed as an anteroom to the existing green area on the hillside.
3 – Paving of the flat part of the plot, as a continuation of the previously described sidewalk, creating a square that serves as access to the proposed viewpoints, with areas for relaxation. (Fortaleza Square).
4 – Creation of viewpoints for observing the city and its relationship with the territory, as well as the most emblematic architectural heritage.
5 – Landscape recovery of the existing hillside, with respect for native species and installation of an irrigation system.
6 – Scheduled drip irrigation system, with the recovery of water from rainwater accumulated in the reservoir built beneath one of the viewpoints.
© Fernando Gómez MateosFor the paving of the entire new urbanized area
a material that is manufactured in the city itself is used: the fired clay from the tile factories of Vélez-Málaga
This is a manually crafted material that is fired in Moorish-origin kilns
heated with biomass (almond shells or avocado wood from local plantations)
A very artisanal local industry that has been on the verge of disappearing
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The province of Malaga has registered a total of 39 cases of measles so far this year
compared to a total of 67 recorded in Andalucía so far in 2025
according to the regional ministry of health and consumer affairs
a new outbreak has been declared in the Hospital de La Axarquía
which are the health professionals who attended the infected person in the hospital's emergency room
The province currently has three outbreaks under surveillance
as the two outbreaks of last week have been joined by the one in Vélez
which will almost certainly add a couple of positive cases of health workers
the regional government published a new measles surveillance and alert protocol
which has been in force for more than two months
this protocol establishes that health centres will review the susceptibility to measles of their professionals
and will update their vaccination schedule
The aim of this measure is to avoid contagion among professionals who may attend to a suspected case that arrives at a consultation or hospital emergency room
The directorate general for public health and pharmaceutical management has also updated the section on the use of polyvalent immunoglobulin
it plans to bring forward the second dose from 15 months of age for all children who have yet to complete the MMR vaccination schedule and who reside in an affected area
to actively identify susceptible individuals
or to implement other control measures depending on the magnitude and risk of the outbreak spreading
seven cases have been registered (one in Adra
one in Roquetas de Mar and one in Vera); in Granada city three; in Huelva
one in San Bartolomé de la Torre and two in San Juan del Puerto); in Malaga 39 cases (one in Álora
one in Rincón de la Victoria and one in Torrox) and in Seville two cases have been registered in the capital
the majority of cases are concentrated mainly in the Costa del Sol Health District (19 cases) and Malaga District (17 cases)
67 confirmed cases of measles have been declared in Andalucía
Four correspond to a family outbreak in Malaga
all adults; three imported cases from Morocco (one in Almeria and two in Malaga)
also in adults; a 45-year-old woman from Malaga
and a case in Seville in a 13-month-old child which had a vaccination two weeks before the onset of symptoms
This case is pending genotyping to determine whether it is post-vaccination measles
a total of eleven outbreaks have been declared in 2025 to date
of which six are still active and another five have already been declared closed
Malaga has a family outbreak with three confirmed cases
of unknown source declared on 18 March; a more recent one
declared on 14 April with four cases confirmed this week in the same family; in addition to the outbreak declared in the health sector
specifically in the Hospital La Axarquia in Malaga
The incidence of confirmed cases has been on a downward trend in recent weeks
except for the case of the 13-month-old child in Seville
Most of these cases are imported from Morocco
The regional health ministry explained that measles is an infection that is easily transmitted
can be severe and can affect both children and unvaccinated adults
it recommends vaccinating children according to the established guidelines and adults who are not known to be vaccinated in order to protect those who cannot be vaccinated (children under 12 months of age
who represent 14 per cent of the cases reported in Andalucía)
Morocco has been experiencing a major measles outbreak since October 2023
which has spread throughout the country with more than 40,000 cases reported
There has also been 3,012 cases in 15 EU countries up to 15 April; 712 confirmed cases in the United States
until 10 April; and 731 in Canada until 11 April
the presence of susceptible pockets that may be significant in certain districts
along with the seasonality of measles (spring)
suggests that new outbreaks can be expected in the coming weeks and months
The department of health and consumer affairs will provide a weekly report every Tuesday with updated data
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Velez-Malaga is getting ready to bring history back to life this weekend with its traditional “Desfile del Legado de los Reyes” — the Legacy of the Kings Parade
the event recalls a defining moment in the city’s past: the entry of the Catholic Monarchs in 1487
this is a proud reminder of Velez-Malaga historical roots and cultural identity
In fact, Velez-Malaga is unique in Spain for this reason: it’s the only city whose integration into the Crown of Castile is tied directly to the Day of the Holy Cross
That link was so significant that for two centuries
the city was officially known as Velez-Malaga de la Cruz
the main parade sets off from Avenida Vivar Téllez
recognised as a Provincial Tourist Singularity Festival since 2020
brings an extra layer of colour and devotion
The floral crosses—typically adorned with red flowers—also recall Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross
Velez-Malaga offers a cultural weekend not to be missed
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are already working with the avocados of the 2024/25 season
the Torrox area has not suffered too much of an impact either in terms of production or calibers
Farms in Vélez-Málaga and other towns in the area are fully dependent on the La Viñuela reservoir
so many orchards have been abandoned there since they stopped having water for irrigation
here in Torrox we have groundwater from the springs in the Frigiliana and Torrox mountains
and our own wells have allowed us to keep our crops irrigated," says Alejandro Navas
"Big traders in the province buy avocados directly from the fields of Malaga
many small growers in the Axarquia area with smaller productions
and who don't usually work with those traders
bring us their fruit in boxes to sell through the daily auctions
Our job is to get the best possible prices for their fruit
many warehouses in Velez-Malaga that are short of fruit or certain sizes are coming to buy avocados from our auction
and due to the drop in production in Malaga
many national markets are also buying avocados directly from us in boxes instead of buying the sorted and packaged product from the warehouses
which account for a large share of Spanish sales and are strongly focused on exports," says Alejandro
"This has given us the strength to keep prices at good levels for our producers
the setting up of new plantations in areas such as Huelva
and Portugal has helped keep the warehouses busy
many of these have set up their own facilities in these places to manage all this new production
The most affected has been the Malaga area where
many avocado farms have stopped producing and have even had to be uprooted."
"More and more growers are choosing to replace avocados with mangoes
or to expand their farms"Mangoes are proving to be better suited for this situation thanks to their lower water requirements
this year there has been plenty of fruit loss in the case of the Osteen
and there has also been a large volume of baby mango
while we saw no changes in our turnover in 2023 with half the number of kilos compared to the previous year
in 2024 our auction's turnover and volume have doubled compared to 2023," says Alejandro
with producers receiving around 1.70-1.80 €/kg and up to 2 €/kg during the season
and rising to 2.20-2.40 €/kg by the end of the campaign
but also highly concentrated within a short period of time
and prices are influenced by the volumes available
which has ended the season at 2.60 €/kg in our auction
We have observed this trend in the last few years and many growers who have also noticed it are expanding their Keitt mango plantations to try obtaining such prices at the end of the season."
Alejandro says that "given the greater resistance of mangoes to drought and hard water
as well as the prices they are fetching in recent seasons
and the fact that they are much more exclusive than avocados because so far they have only been grown in the Axarquia and on the Costa Tropical of Granada
more and more producers are choosing to plant mangoes where they previously had avocados
to the point that some nurseries are noticing a lack of mango plants in the face of this greater demand
one of the largest tropical nurseries in Malaga has already announced that it will only be able to meet new orders for mango plants from 2026 onwards because it has already sold the entire 2025 production before the year had even started."
For more information:Navas Carrillo S.L.C/ Peñoncillo N.º 1, 29793 Torrox - Costa, Malaga. SpainTel.: +34 952 53 01 07 [email protected]https://www.navascarrillo.com
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The local painter and sculptor Rafael Heredia Cuevas will inaugurate his latest exhibition “Música Callada” on Friday February 21
at the Francisco Hernández Contemporary Art Center (CAC) in Velez-Malaga
including 64 oil paintings on wood and mixed media works on paper
alongside 73 terracotta sculptures in various formats
The initiative aligns with the local government’s cultural strategy, which aims to enrich museum spaces and promote local artists. Alicia Ramírez, Councilor for Culture and Historical Heritage, highlighted the city’s commitment to supporting artists
highlighting that “we continue to provide all available resources to enhance the work of our creators.” The CAC has already hosted several important exhibitions
including Roberto Tarsicio’s collection of oil paintings addressing contemporary society
“Música Callada” will be open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On Sundays and holidays, visitors can see the exhibition from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Ramírez encourages residents and tourists to experience the showcase
describing it as a comprehensive journey through Heredia Cuevas artistic evolution since 2007
the CAC will host a series of eight lectures exploring the relationship between art and various disciplines
With “Música Callada,” Rafael Heredia Cuevas continues his exploration of the human figure and its many dimensions
offering visitors a very artistic and cultural experience
National Police officers have dismantled a cannabis club in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol that operated as a point of sale for narcotics and three people aged 23
28 and 43 have been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking
875 cigarettes containing marijuana and hashish
as well as tools for weighing and preparing the drugs
and 367 flowering marijuana plants were seized during the police raid
Surveillance carried out at the premises showed a number of young people entering and leaving the establishment
"the minimum time necessary to acquire a dose of hashish or marijuana," the police highlighted in a statement
Velez-Malaga is getting ready to celebrate its 2025 Carnaval
a festival known for its vibrant atmosphere
where local performer Claudio Polo will deliver the opening speech
designed by Inmaculada Fernández ‘Macu,’ has already been revealed
setting the stage for a lively and festive weekend
Performers from ‘murgas’ (satirical singing groups)
and other musical acts will take the stage to entertain the audience
This friendly competition showcases local talent and keeps the spirit of Carnaval alive with witty performances and catchy tunes
One of the biggest highlights of the festival is the Carnaval parade on Saturday
The parade begins at 5:00 pm from Cruz del Cordero
filling the streets with dazzling costumes
Spectators can enjoy a lively batucada (high-energy drumming group)
with over €2,500 in prizes for the best outfits
with ‘Domingo Carnavalero’ (Carnaval Sunday) at San Francisco Market
Visitors can enjoy live performances from local groups while tasting a delicious community paella
with proceeds going to the cancer charity ‘Esperanza.’
the 2025 Velez-Malaga Carnaval promises to be an unforgettable experience
or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere
Read more Axarquia news, articles and events here
Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has announced plans to recruit at least six new Local Police officers throughout the course of 2025 as a number of officers are due to retire this year
The aim is to "provide the police force with the necessary personnel to safeguard the safety of residents and visitors to Vélez-Málaga," the mayor of Vélez and councillor for Local Police
said as he presided over the inauguration of six new officers in January
The mayor went on to say that a further 11 officers are due to complete their training "in the near future"
The Vélez police force currently stands at 101 but is set to increase to 112 this year
In April 2024 a new chief of the Local Police in Vélez-Málaga
Born in the town of Andújar in Jaén in 1962
he is a career military officer with a degree in Law from the European University of Madrid and a diploma in Criminology from the University of Malaga
Mora had been part of the Marbella Local Police force for 26 years
From 2017 he was in charge of the Huelva Local Police
first as an officer before being promoted to chief superintendent
Velez-Malaga will host The Sabor a Málaga Feria from March 21 to 23
38 exhibitors from all over the Malaga province will present regional products
President of the Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Axarquía
Martín praised the fair’s success over the years
noting its value in promoting small producers and attracting visitors
The fair, organized by the Diputación de Málaga, will offer a variety of high-quality local products
The event will close on March 23 with a children’s party and a live concert by Hakuna Matata, wrapping up a weekend dedicated to the best flavours of the Malaga province
Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has started the bureaucratic procedures to build around 5,000 new homes
Among the planned developments that have been unblocked
are four large residential areas in Benajarafe
the development of 3,507 new homes is planned
of which at least 408 will be subsidised housing (VPO)
"We are giving an important response to the great demand for housing that we are having," said the urban planning councillor
He added that the town hall is also working on rentals "at affordable prices"
an industrial estate and a private hospital run by HM Hospitales
are planned for the Camino de Torrox area to the east of the town
women in Velez-Malaga are gaining increasing prominence during Holy Week
president of the local Brotherhood Association
the level of female participation in the town is even higher than in larger cities such as Seville or Malaga
Out of the 19 brotherhoods in Velez-Malaga
and the association’s board includes six women out of 28 members
Moreno says that in Velez-Malaga is a real equality
one achieved naturally and without pressure
Women began carrying the religious floats (los tronos) as early as the 1990s
A historic milestone came in 2010 when the Pollinica brotherhood entrusted one of its floats entirely to 140 female bearers (horquilleras)
Today, women are present in nearly every aspect of Holy Week, from key leadership roles to physically carrying the floats in processions. Velez-Malaga is now considered a sort of symbol of equality and progressive tradition within Spain’s religious celebrations
Velez became the example of how traditions can evolve while still preserving the spiritual and cultural essence
The countdown to Holy Week in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol has started
has announced plans for "extensive and rigorous security arrangements" that will be put in place between 13 and 20 April in the municipality
one of the busiest and most important annual events in the town
In order to "guarantee safety and rapid action in the event of an emergency"
an emergency coordination centre (CECOP) will assume a leading role in the event of any possible incidents that may occur during the course of the week in Vélez-Málaga
This and other interventions of vital importance were announced on Monday 7 April and are integrated into a comprehensive network of security and emergency measures that "will enable more detailed and real-time attention to any circumstance or incident that may occur in the course of Holy Week,’ Lupiáñez said in a statement
the association of Holy Week brotherhoods and the Civil Protection volunteers form part of this team
‘This security and emergency plan will comply with all the precepts required to ensure that citizens and visitors can enjoy the week with the highest standards of quality," the mayor said
There will be defibrillators in each of the floats that make up the processions
as well as in the open municipal buildings (the town hall and the San Francisco market)
each of the floats will include their own fire extinguishers
in addition to those that will be installed in the streets
each of the brotherhoods will work with its own internal security and emergency system
which will contribute to greater control of the situation and the contingencies that may occur unexpectedly
They have received basic training on how to act in the event of an emergency
the use of fire extinguishers and the specific use of semi-automatic defibrillators
This follows an incident in 2023 when the Virgen del Rocío image caught fire when a candle fell on to the robes
Identification bracelets with QR code will be provided for children with contact telephone numbers in the event of a child getting lost
The extensive plan also incorporates the geolocation of the floats
another essential tool for emergency interventions
which allows their location to be detected and monitored in real time
all the equipment will be arranged in a specific and coordinated manner in the streets and squares of the municipality and
during the itineraries of the brotherhoods and other groups and groups that take part in the processions
VELEZ-MALAGA is taking big steps to breathe new life into its historic centre
with five exciting projects just given the green light by local authorities
These plans include everything from refurbishing homes and demolishing old buildings to creating protected archaeological zones
all aimed at making the area more appealing
The projects were approved during a recent meeting led by Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez
who emphasised the importance of balancing modernisation with respect for the town’s rich history
and it deserves our full attention,’ said Lupiáñez
A key part of the plan is giving the town hall more control over demolitions near cultural heritage sites
which should speed up the process and allow for more customised solutions
A major highlight is the ongoing renovation of the Lope de Vega Theatre
the theatre will not only have nearly 1,000 seats but also be fully accessible
making sure everyone can enjoy the performances
the town hopes to turn its historic centre into a modern space that still holds on to its traditions and that residents and visitors can enjoy
Read more Axarquia news, articles and events here
The image of Our Lady of Rocío formed part of the Palm Sunday processions in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol again having being restored after a fateful fire destroyed much of the image in 2023
The fire started when a candle fell onto the image's mantle during that year's Holy Week processions
although the image had been painstakingly restored
it was the rain that prevented the procession from going ahead
a few minutes after 5pm the image left the San Francisco market to the emotional cheers of the devotees who had witnessed the tragic fire of two years ago
as the brotherhood has not yet been able to acquire a new one to replace the one that was damaged
The Unicaja Foundation has contributed 100,000 euros to replace the damaged items
while the town hall and the provincial authority
have each contributed 50,000 euros and 150,000 euros
The procession was once again accompanied by young Vélez-Málaga singer Adrián Martín and Juan Ventura
the sculptor from Seville who carried out the work to restore the image
The Real Feria de San Miguel in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol gets under way on Tuesday 24 September with the official opening taking place on the esplanade of the Cerro de los Remedios
This year's fair kicks off with a concert by the town’s municipal band dancing and local choirs
The group Siempre Así will be the main act of the evening which will be followed by a fireworks display
A full programme of events is planned for both daytime in and around the town centre and the evening programme will be taking place on the fairground next to El Ingenio shopping centre from Wednesday 25 September
For the evening programme there will be a children's ‘caseta’
with performances by La Carpa theatre group every night
In terms of concerts on Thursday it will be the turn of Mikel de la Calle
In Vélez-Málaga town centre the day fair will really come to life from Thursday 26 September when Plaza de Las Carmelitas
Paseo Andalucía and Plaza del Carmen will be the main centres for the festivities with each one offering bars and live music with groups including Onda Sonora
the Canalejas area will be used for a mini children's fair
On Saturday the dance academies will be in Plaza de las Carmelitas
while on the Paseo de Los Naranjos Cantando Bajito and Beatriz Morón will be performing
The choirs will occupy Paseo Andalucía while Plaza del Carmen will feature Efecto Placebo and Electroduendes
Plaza del Carmen will host performances by Lázaro Cruz and Ñ Clan
Sunday 29 September will be children's day with reduced prices on the attractions
There will also be a special dinner for older residents with the traditional election of the senior Queen and King
according to a statement from the town hall
Click here for further details and to download the full programme
Velez-Malaga’s Policia Local force will be 113-strong once 11 recruits currently undergoing basic training take up their posts
recently introduced six arrivals newly-promoted to officer rank and two policemen who have all been transferred from other municipalities
making this first time that the Velez-Malaga station will have a female Policia Local of this rank
Providing the force with the necessary personnel to safeguard residents and visitors was a priority for the local administration
Committed to guaranteeing public safety in Velez-Malaga since the start of the current term
the town hall had taken “firm action” in creating resources and training enabling the Policia Local to work in excellent conditions
That included spending on new vehicles and bulletproof vests
in April 2024 Lupiañez brought in Rafael Mora
who has a Law degree and Criminology qualifications
was killed on December 14 when his single-seater plane crashed at the Leoni Benabu aerodrome in Velez-Malaga
the plane plummeted to the ground near the River Benamargosa
not long after takeoff and only metres from the runway
firefighters and police rushed to the scene after the emergency services received a call from the aerodrome at 12.30
requiring assistance for a pilot trapped inside a crashed plane
Despite medics’ efforts to revive the victim
a Real Aeroclub instructor and a skilled aerobatics pilot
was due to take part in an airshow in honour of the patron of aviators
members of his family are said to have been present at the display
Spain’s Aviation Safety Agency (Aesa) has already launched an enquiry into the apparently inexplicable accident
Nor was this the Leoni Benabu’s first involvement in an accident this year
as a plane crashed as it came in to land last June
Taking into account this most recent tragedy
15 people have lost their lives in 20 accidents in the area immediately adjoining the airport since 2003
Just 2,500 years ago the coast of Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol stretched as far as what is today known as the Almayate rock
forming a large inlet at the mouth of the River Vélez
It created an ideal environment for the Phoenicians to settle and trade
these peoples originally from the eastern cities of Byblos and Tyre began to settle in the area
which gave rise to other great cities such as Cadiz (Gadir) or Malaga (which the Phoenicians called Malaka)
a dozen archaeological sites are preserved in the area around the lower course of the River Vélez and in the neighbouring municipality of Algarrobo
which were first discovered in 1964 by the German Archaeological Institute of Madrid (IAAM)
these important archaeological remains remain largely forgotten
"and thank goodness most of them are buried
who is president of the Amigos de la Cultura society in Vélez-Málaga (SAC)
a real jewel hidden in the heart of the Axarquía
this group has been working on the challenge of "once and for all" enhancing the value of this impressive heritage
"We are talking about the most important and best preserved Phoenician remains in the entire eastern Mediterranean," says José Ramos
Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cadiz
who as a student participated in several of the excavation campaigns
Schubart was followed by other experts such as Professor Osvaldo Arteaga and
The problem faced by these defenders of heritage is that the sites
although declared assets of cultural interest (BIC)
which is why the SAC wants Vélez-Málaga town hall and the Junta de Andalucía to expropriate them in order to guarantee their conservation
the SAC has been organising guided tours of this area
after several years of complaints from local residents about their neglect
Restoration work has recently been carried out at Los Toscanos near Almayate
At its height it had a population of more than 2,000 inhabitants
Los Toscanos was abandoned around 550 BC and its population moved to the other side of the River Vélez
creating a new urban nucleus that was known in classical sources as Maenobe or Maenoba
The space has also recently been improved with new signs added to inform visitors
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first excavations at the Phoenician site
the first of a series of conferences took place on Friday 24 January at the Museum of Velez-Malaga (MVVEL)
The councillor for culture and historical heritage
described the site one of the "most emblematic historical and artistic heritage environments on the Iberian Peninsula"
The event was organised by the Vélez-Málaga town hall along with the University of Malaga (UMA) and the provincial Diputación de Málaga
on the excavations carried out on the coast of the town over the last 60 years and Dr
spoke about the impact of the IAAM's research on Spanish archaeology
Divers from the Guardia Civil's underwater activities specialists Unit (Geas) of the recovered the body of the worker at around 1.30pm
due to the turbidity of the water and the large dimensions of the artificial lke
with a surface area of one hectare and a depth of ten metres
They were also able to recover the damaged mowing machinery he was riding on
who is one of the workers at the golf course
and also the Guardia Civil divers were immediately sent to scene
The water where the worker fell in has a surface area of one hectare and a depth of about ten metres
The 41-year-old man was a golf course worker in Bavaria
At the time of the accident he was cutting the vegetation near the edge of the lake with a ride-on lawnmower
The man fell into the water with the vehicle
Personnel from Malaga's provincial fire brigade and the Local Police
The recovered body has now been taken to Malaga city Malaga
the trade unions CC OO and UGT have called a rally for Tuesday 11 March at 12 noon "to show their solidarity and condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased"
"Unfortunately we have a new workplace accident in our province
at around nine o'clock in the morning when the 41-year-old maintenance worker was working with a mowing machine when he fell into the water
did not know how to swim and drowned," the trade unions said in a statement
but we will once again plead for changes to administrations
demanding once again a clear commitment to the fight against accidents at work"
the Junta's provincial delegate for employment
has conveyed her "deepest condolences to the family
friends and acquaintances" of the deceased worker
"This misfortune reminds us that we must all work together to prevent this scourge of accidents in the workplace
Companies have to understand that investing in prevention is the best investment
it is not a superfluous expense," she said
She also reminded that workers must understand that any distraction or overconfidence can have fatal consequences and the authorities must ensure that all existing legislation on occupational risk prevention is complied with"
The Labour Inspectorate has opened an investigation "to clarify the reasons for this sad fatal accident
to bring it to the attention of everyone and thus disseminate the causes so that
it can be prevented and avoided in the future" she said
There has been another fatal road traffic accident in Malaga province
was slightly injured in a serious crash in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol last night
a collision between a motorbike and a car happened at around 9.15pm on the Camino de Algarrobo road
The emergency telephone number received calls from several witnesses reporting the collision between the two vehicles and that one person was seriously injured
Local Police and Guardia Civil traffic officers quickly arrived on the scene
but they were only able to confirm the death of one man at the scene
Some of the best model aeroplanes from Spain and Portugal will be on display at the Axarquía Leoni Benabú airport
located in the El Trapiche district of Vélez-Málaga
on the eastern Costa del Sol from Friday 25 until Sunday 27 April
The Aguacate Model Airshow Festival brings together some model aircraft that have a wingspan of more than four metres and can exceed speeds of 300 kilometres per hour
they are capable of doing the same acrobatics as the real things
From 10am spectators will be able to see more than 140 different model aeroplanes flying
as the outstanding radio-controlled aeroplane and helicopter pilots who will be taking part will be able to make exclusive use of the 959 metres of the airfield's runway to perform their aerobatic manoeuvres during the aerial exhibition
On Sunday morning there will be free exhibition flights where the aeromodellers will be able to give free rein to show off their acrobatics skills
Entrance to the show is free and fans will also be able to enjoy a market and other entertainment
At around 7.30pm on Thursday 16 January Manuel Lavao and Cleiddy Arroyo were at home
Cleiddy was on the sofa watching television and Manuel was asleep in the bedroom
"I heard the dogs barking very loudly and I went out
they grabbed me and covered my mouth and put me inside a room," Cleiddy explains
The couple were victims of a violent burglary that the National Police are now investigating
which took place at their farmhouse located between the La Pañoleta industrial estate in Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar on the eastern Costa del Sol
"They started slapping us and asking us where the safe was
We quickly gave them the six thousand euros we had in cash
but they insisted on a safe," 41-year-old Cleiddy told SUR
was violently awoken by the thieves who also gagged him and tied his hands and feet
"They threatened several times to cut off my fingers and that they were going to rape her," recalls Lavao
a retired businessman in the agricultural sector
Algeria and the Dominican Republic and never in my life had anything like this ever happened to me"
who for 25 years ran a business selling churros in Calle Las Monjas in Vélez-Málaga
for which his nickname in the town is 'Churrero'
but these thieves knew where they were going
they were coming for me because one of them was talking to another one on the phone," said Lavao
The couple have now decided to stop living in this farmhouse
where they had been living since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020
The burglars locked the doors and windows and turned off all the lights in the house so as not to arouse suspicion
The nearest houses are only a hundred metres away
but the neighbours were unable to help them
"We had two anxiety attacks and the thieves gave us some water when they saw that my husband had fainted"
said Arroyo as she walked through the different rooms of the house
still with very visible traces of the disorder caused by the attackers
A week has passed since the robbery and the couple are trying to recover and turn the page on the nightmare they experienced that evening
but still look how everything is messed up and destroyed
they even took our food out of the fridge and freezer"
showing the damage to one of the fridge drawers
Although the couple gave the burglars all the money they had in cash and told them where the jewellery was
who is originally from the Dominican Republic
at almost 88 years old I don't think I deserve this
"I had to go to the doctor because I could have another anxiety attack and they prescribed me pills," added his wife
Evaristo Guerra, the well-known and respected painter from Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol, has donated to the María Zambrano foundation a digital reproduction of his work ‘Sueño de María Zambrano’ (dream of María Zambrano
The work is an oil on canvas which he painted in 2005
following a conversation he had with the illustrious thinker and philosopher from Vélez-Málaga in Madrid a few months before her death in 1991
This donation was made on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Zambrano’s birth and coincided with the seventh María Zambrano international conference which took place in the town last week
which is somewhat smaller than the original
to the mayor of Vélez-Málaga and president of the María Zambrano foundation
in the presence of the foundation's director
and the councillors for culture and finance
The 82-year-old painter explained that the original work is part of his foundation and that
it is on display at the Francisco Hernández contemporary art centre (CAC) in Vélez-Málaga following the retrospective of his work which took place last year
Guerra explained that he spoke to María Zambrano in Madrid shortly before she died
“I have a photo that immortalises that moment,” said Guerra
who added that the philosopher told him: “in the courtyard of her childhood home in Vélez-Málaga there was a lemon tree that was always surrounded by cats”
“I told her that this was a very beautiful story and that
I would capture it in a painting.” There are only 50 authenticated digital copies of the original work and the one donated is number four
After her death Zambrano was buried between an orange and a lemon tree in Vélez-Málaga’s cemetery
the idea became a reality in Sueño de María Zambrano which I'd promised her,” said the Velez artist
who added that he is still trying to get the town hall to open a museum with 300 of her works in the town
but in the last few years nothing has been done
I hope and trust that with this government and with the mayor
The painter pointed out that museums and other cultural investments can help to transform towns and cities and attract tourism
After more than twelve years since Vélez-Málaga's tram stopped operating
the eastern Costa del Sol town hall announced in May 2024 its intention to call a public consultation on whether or not to reinstate the public transport system
It also said that alternatives to what was the first modern tram to operate in Andalucía
After Spain's central government granted last April an extension of one year
to justify a grant of 3.7 million euros awarded from European funds in 2022
the town hall still hasn't sent out the survey
Municipal sources have informed SUR that they are working on the technical design of the initiative
as they do not want to consider it in absolute terms of ‘tram yes’ or ‘tram no’
but also intend to address an alternative of electric buses that would use the tram platform
the existing tramlines would have to be dismantled
The so-called BRT system has been proposed several times
It is a system halfway between a bus and a tram and already operates in 170 cities around the world
are being evaluated to see how to carry out the consultation with guarantees that there will be resident participation and that it will be representative
but the idea and the objective is to carry it out in the first quarter of 2025," municipal sources told SUR
said last May that in order to replace the tram system
the town hall would have to contribute around another five million euros to the 3.7 million in European funds
"We have many other needs in the municipality
so we believe that it is time to rescue a council agreement that was adopted in 2016 to consult residents on whether or not to resume the tram at this time," Lupiáñez told the Axarquía's Cadena Ser radio
That agreement was adopted unanimously following a proposal by the local Izquierda Unida (IU) political party
"We are evaluating the tools for participation and we hope to set it up very soon," said the mayor of Vélez
According to the data provided by Lupiáñez
to the 3.7 million euros of European funds Next Generation granted
the council would have to contribute 1,276,000 euros to complete the first phase of repair work on the damaged infrastructure after twelve years without any maintenance or surveillance
according to Lupiáñez the town hall would have to fully assume another investment of 3.7 million euros
due to the fact that a second request for aid has not been granted by Spain's Ministry of Transport
he admitted that the town hall is "not in a position to allocate five million to the tram"
depending on the result of the public consultation
one possibility is to modify the terms of the aid granted and adapt it for the purchase of more sustainable electric or hybrid public transport vehicles
The mayor also recalled that in 2016 a report by the Junta de Andalucía recommended replacing the three tram units with other smaller ones
"We are studying this possibility because it seems that there would be interest from other Andalusian tram systems in our units," said Lupiáñez
He added that the town hall would to claim the estimated 2.6 million euros in economic “damage” due to the lack of maintenance of the depots since 2012 from Alsa
the transport company responsible for the tram
There has been a new fatal accident at the Leoni Benabú aerodrome in the Axarquía
A pilot died at midday this Saturday afternooon when the light aircraft he was flying crashed on the eastern strip of the Costa del Sol
a well-known aerobatic pilot and instructor at the Real Aeroclub de Málaga
Frutos took off from the Leoni Benabú aerodrome and crashed soon afterwards in the area near the Benamargosa river
while taking part in an aerobatic exhibition to mark the feast of Our Lady of Loreto
a parachuting and aerobatic flying exhibition was scheduled to take place
Some of the pilot's family were at the event at the time of the incident
112 Andalucía was alerted and mobilised the emergency services including the National Police
Civil Protection volunteers as well as the national air traffic control centre
Firefighters were involved in the recovery of the body in an area of difficult access and Spain's state aviation safety agency (AESA) is already investigating the cause of the fatal accident
the pilot walked away uninjured after crashing near the Leoni Benabú airfield in El Trapiche
The pilot was able to get out of the wrecked aircraft by his own means
The last fatal accident happened in November 2021
when one person died and another was injured after a private light aircraft crashed on an avocado farm near the Axarquia aerodrome
since 2003 there have been around twenty serious accidents in the vicinity of the El Trapiche de Vélez-Málaga aerodrome
with 15 deaths and 15 injuries of varying degrees of severity
The most serious incident happened in 2003
a year in which there were three light aircraft accidents
In May 2021 SUR reported the complaints of local residents
who started a collection of signatures because of the «nuisance and danger» caused by the flights of light aircraft in the Axarquía
Vélez Club de Fútbol have been expelled from the División de Honor after failing to appear for two scheduled matches
the Spanish football federation confirmed on Sunday
The announcement coincides with the club’s 102nd birthday
where Vélez were unable to present the required player registration documents
A second absence this past weekend led to the federation’s decision to expel the team from the league
Vélez are set to drop to Primera Andaluza next season
assuming the club's outstanding debts can be resolved
once a prominent force in Andalusian football
has been in disarray since the departure of its Swedish investors
Argentinian businessman Pablo Nilo struggled to invest in the team after taking the helm then sold the club to Granada businessman Rafael González
González failed to assemble a competitive squad - the latest chapter in what has been a dark period for the club
Vélez-Málaga’s La Noche en Vela is taking place around the town on Saturday 31 August
from 8pm until 3am all of the town’s cultural spaces will be open
more than twenty concerts and over 20,000 candles spread throughout the town
Calle Canalejas will be offering activities for young people including break dancing and a beatbox workshop
Up at La Fortaleza there is music from local band Corazón Inverso
San Francisco market is hosting choirs from Lagos
A flash mob will be descending on Plaza de las Carmelitas (in front of the town hall) at around 8.30pm and blues and jazz concerts
as well as a light show will be taking place along Calle Tiendas
San Juan church is hosting an opera and there is also live music at the chapel on El Cerro
and activities related to Easter Week at the Museo de Semana Santa
For further information and a full programme visit www.velezmalaga.es
a company specialising in tropical fruits based in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol
has signed an extensive collaboration agreement with Bancosol
Through the agreement the company will make regular donations of avocado
Montosa will also cover the transport of the products to the logistics centres set up by the food bank
We have already done so by donating food and materials to the victims of the 'Dana' storm in Valencia
Now we want this commitment to be long-term and in our area: Malaga
It is important for us that this type of action is not a one-off event
A first shipment of freshly picked avocados marked the beginning of this collaboration during the festive season
Some 6,000 families in vulnerable situations in Malaga benefited from this first consignment over Christmas
"Because of the value it acquires in the market
the fresh avocado is a premium product that not all families can enjoy
That is why we want even those who don't normally enjoy it to be able to enjoy a top quality avocado from Malaga during these special dates"
which also aims to fight against food waste by providing an outlet for potential production surpluses "very positively"
"I would like to thank Montosa for joining the Bancosol family as a socially responsible company
whose donations will make it possible to help around 30,000 people in vulnerable situations by improving the quality of their food."
sustainable property management model is already popular in the US and Nordic countries where residents live in a community
which takes a step forwards in Velez-Malaga’s housing policies
will be built on a 3,500-square metre plot of privately-owned land classified for residential use that adjoins the Hospital Comarcal
The town hall has given planning permission for the municipality’s first “senior co-housing complex” of 23 properties and 34 parking places
Velez-Malaga mayor Jesus Lupiañez announced
He was accompanied by Town Planning councillor Celestino Rivas and the president of the Cohousing Malaga 50 co-operative
who declared that “proprietary uses were now giving way to those of the community.”
the building belongs to the community and co-housing members acquire the right to “indefinite use” of the property
This right can then be left in a will or sold through the co-housing group
Rivas also pointed out that a co-housing scheme brought savings of between 20 and 30 per cent
by eliminating the developer’s profit and the need to record each property separately with the Catastro land registry
Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol has approved a plan to build 3,507 new homes in different towns and villages in the municipality
According to its General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) that is still pending revision to adapt it to the new regional legislation
there are still plans to build around 25,000 new homes
the town planning department has set in motion the procedures for 3,507 new builds in what will be known as SUP-B9 in Benajarafe
with 902 houses divided into a first phase of 250 and a second phase of 652
of which 88 will be VPO (subsidised housing)
a further 1,067 new homes will be developed
In the Baviera Golf area of Caleta de Vélez
a new residential area called SUP-C2 is being developed
A further 243 homes will be built in Castillo de Lagos
procedures have been set in motion to approve two new partial plans
according to the data provided by the town hall
"We want to promote the developments that have been pending for almost twenty years
IBI and population that affects the town hall and the municipality in general," said the town planning councillor
on the water resources needed for these new developments
“All these developments have their corresponding supply plans approved and have all the technical and legal reports favourable by the town hall.”
"We are talking about developments that date back to 2006
the SUP-T3," said the town planning councillor
they continue to advance in the procedures to proceed with a new initial approval of a PGOU
The councillor is confident that by the end of 2025 a new initial approval of the PGOU can proceed
once the development of the technical documents required by the Junta de Andalucía is completed with the new computer tools being implemented by the town hall
AS drought conditions continue to plague the region of Axarquia, Vélez-Málaga residents are facing increased water restrictions
the town has imposed limits on water usage
which have now been extended to cover more areas including Torre del Mar
The increased water restrictions began on September 21
the water cuts will occur from 10:30 pm to 7:30 am
totalling nine hours of daily restrictions
These measures aim to manage dwindling water supplies effectively
will monitor the situation and update residents on any further changes in the coming days
In an effort to ease the restrictions for the Real Feria de San Miguel, scheduled for September 24-29, local authorities are working on solutions to lessen the impact on festivities. However, if conditions worsen, further restrictions may be necessary. The Junta de Andalucía plans to hold a meeting before the month ends to evaluate the ongoing drought and its effects across the province
As the drought conditions in Axarquia continue to escalate
residents need to take proactive measures to conserve water
While the primary responsibility for managing water resources during drought conditions lies with the government
residents can also play a vital role in conservation efforts
Here are some effective ways individuals can contribute to managing water usage:
residents can significantly impact water conservation efforts during this challenging drought period
we can help protect our valuable water resources
For more Axarquia news, articles and events click here
Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol is holding its first 'Ruta Gastronómica de Cuaresma' (Lent gastronomic route) starting on Friday 7 March
It will be taking place every weekend until 17 April in a bid to attract visitors to the town's bars and restaurants
which is referred to as 'the capital of the Axarquía'
has a number of speciality dishes that are eaten at this time of year and the foodie tour has been designed to promote them
Probably the most typical dish is 'ajobacalao'
a type of paste made from salted cod (bacalao)
breadcrumbs and extra virgin olive oil and spread on bread or crackers
The initiative has been orchestrated by the local business association ACEV with the support of the town hall
explained that the idea of the event is to promote traditional Vélez-Málaga cuisine and attract both foodies "and those who wish to learn more about the culinary customs of Easter Week"
He said everyone was welcome to attend the event which "combines tradition
stews and fried pumpkin with cod are among some of the traditional dishes that bars and restaurants will be offering during the event
Click here for further information
a full list of participating restaurants and dishes
A new fibre optic network has been installed in the last week in different parts of Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol
After years of suffering from very slow connections and even areas where there was no coverage
thanks to the company Jetnet these villages
which form part of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga
now have fibre optic connections in their homes and commercial premises
a small hamlet located between Cajiz and Almayate
Last week it reached Mezquitilla and Lagos and on Monday 7 April the town hall's new technologies department announced that fibre optics had been installed in Los Íberos
allowing access to all residents of the area to a high speed internet
are now receiving the service for the first time thanks to the company Jetnet
which has already implemented fibre optics in Cajiz
"It is indisputable that the arrival of fibre optics has a direct impact on people's well-being
Residents will now be able to enjoy a much faster
more stable and efficient internet connection
which will make it easier to carry out everyday tasks such as distance learning
service management and communication in general," said the councillor for the area
He went on to say that "in the economic sphere
this advance will open new doors for local businesses and entrepreneurs
allowing the expansion of their businesses
the attraction of new projects and even job creation"
Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has announced that 100 people will be recognised for their bravery and hard work when the 'Dana' struck the south of Spain on 13 November
flooding towns and villages in the Axarquía and across Malaga province
The spokesperson for the governing Partido Popular party in Vélez-Málaga
announced on Thursday 28 November that the awards will be presented at an event that recognises the work of outstanding Local Police officers scheduled for 20 January 2025
during and even after the events in our municipality had an was by all the actors involved
That is why from the Vélez-Málaga town hall
we are voting to recognise certain associations or individuals who played an outstanding role during those days of tension," said Piña
Awards will be presented to the chief commissioner of the National Police station in Vélez-Málaga
Juan Carlos Aparicio; the head of Civil Protection and director of 112 emergencies of the Junta de Andalucía in Malaga
the head of the Guardia Civil in Vélez-Málaga
David Bel and the head of the prevention service at Vélez-Málaga town hall
Recognition will also be given to organisations or associations including the Local Police headquarters in Vélez
which provides a day centre for people with disabilities
"There are also many companies who gave their selfless support to help many of the victims who had to spend the night of Wednesday 13 November in the Torre del Mar sports pavilion
For all of them there will also be a special mention and congratulations at the gala on 20 January
And I want to thank them for their solidarity and generosity
The police merit medal will also awarded at the gala and will go to active
20 and 25 years of service in the Local Police force will also be recognised
Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol is holding its eighth Portovelis street market on Saturday 18 January
there will be around 40 stalls selling crafts
second-hand items and food products on Plaza de Las Carmelitas and Calle Canalejas
President of the Vélez-Málaga traders' association ACEV
encouraged residents and visitors to support the initiative
González said the idea behind the market was to "stimulate trade" in the town and that the market focused on art and crafts
"We will continue to make a strong commitment to contribute to the growth of an initiative that brings vitality to all businesses and we hope that lots of people will visit us next Saturday," he added
The artist 2bleflow was thrown out of the Virgen de los Remedios Coronada chapel in Vélez-Málaga on Wednesday 26 March after trying to record part of a new video clip for TikTok in front of a religious image
In the video uploaded to his social media accounts including TikTok the 14-second clip shows the artist dancing in front of an image of the patron saint of Vélez
accompanied by extras dressed as penitents in black costumes with the traditional robes and black pointed hoods
when a member of the Easter Week brotherhood at the chapel noticed the recording
he interrupted it and ordered the protagonists to leave the church
The brotherhood has informed the Bishopric of Malaga and the National Police of what happened
although for the moment no formal complaint has been made
Sources from the Bishopric of Malaga have confirmed to SUR that the artist "did not have permission" to record in the chapel and that he entered during public opening hours
It is gathering more information to assess whether to make a formal complaint
2bleflow has uploaded the video with a message in which he announces that it is the "filming of my new video clip titled Nacido Para Ganar" (born to win)
he is also seen filming in the Carabanchel area of Vélez-Málaga
which is traditionally a deprived part of the town
SUR has tried unsuccessfully to contact the artist
In April 2024 a similar situation occurred in Malaga city
The Bishopric then disassociated itself from a fashion video recorded inside Malaga Cathedral and San Pedro church
which was circulated on social media and later deleted
showed clothing models next to Holy Week images both inside the two places
The Guardia Civil has dismantled another tobacco-smuggling operation in Malaga province
In collaboration with the surveillance services of Spain's national tax agency
police have seized more than 37,000 packets of tobacco of illegal origin
worth more than 224,000 euros from a van on the A-7 motorway in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol
that impersonated a well-known delivery company
The incident happened at the end of February
Thanks to various tobacco-smuggling surveillance operations
police discovered the van that was being driven along the A-7 motorway towards Almeria
investigators found that the owner of the vehicle
the officers found 37,490 contraband cigarette packets
which increased their value to over 224,000 euros
the possession of this type of tobacco "is consistent with crimes of smuggling and offence against industrial property"
in addition to illegal sale of cigarettes without sanitary and quality control
Police have handed the case over to a court in Torrox
The driver and the owner of the vehicle are being prosecuted
while the tobacco and the vehicle remain seized
The operation came to public attention on 1 June 2022
The National Police and the Guardia Civil arrested the founder of the subtropical fruit company Frutas Montosa
on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol as the supposed mastermind of an alleged money laundering plot
José Luis Montosa was investigated for the alleged crimes of belonging to a criminal organisation and tax fraud
but was released after paying a 200,000-euros bail
The then 67-year-old businessman from Vélez is owner and sole administrator of the company founded in 1982
which is a leader in the subtropical fruit market at European level
He is also a director of the Vélez-Málaga branch of the Cajamar bank
The final figures of the joint operation carried out by the National Police and the Guardia Civil
were much higher: 82 people were arrested and investigated for alleged tax fraud of four million euros in IVA (Spain's sales tax) and corporate tax
According to a joint press release issued by the two forces at the time
the operation has enabled "the dismantling of a criminal network dedicated to tax fraud
false documentation and money laundering in the purchase and sale of subtropical fruit on the eastern side of Malaga"
the case is still being heard in a court in Vélez-Málaga
where there are already more than 550 people under investigation
according to sources from the Andalusian high court of justice (TSJA)
"They are being summoned to take statements
but the matter is very complex," sources have said
The same sources added that "there have been no changes in the situation of those under investigation"
none of them is in prison and the owner of the company is the only person involved who has had to pay bail to be released
the same alleged crimes continue to be investigated
ended in mid-2022 with the arrest of 82 people for their alleged involvement in the events
including the alleged mastermind of the scheme
It is estimated that the amount defrauded from public finances exceeds four million euros for tax offences in corporate tax and IVA
To this amount must be added those relating to important voluntary regularisations carried out
by the main investigated parties "as a result of a first round with more than 50 arrests and other amounts that are estimated to be in the millions
in the personal income tax of more than 300 front men"
which took place in the towns of Alhaurín de la Torre
seizing more than 1.7 million euros in cash
eight high-end vehicles and a large amount of documentation that would prove the alleged fraud against the public treasury
the financial products of the investigated parties and the companies controlled by the network were blocked
as well as dozens of vehicles and hundreds of properties
made up of a multitude of individuals and legal entities
was allegedly systematically defrauding the public finances with a network of false invoicing based on alleged expenses incurred by Frutas Montosa
of generating fictitious purchases for which undue IVA payments were made
with the consequent fraud against the public finances in different taxes and fiscal years
the criminal plot relied on a large number of people from a wide variety of occupations including businesses in the sector
The investigation began National Police and Guardia Civil officers detected that intermediaries in the fruit trade in Axarquia were invoicing the sale of large quantities of subtropical fruit of unknown origin to companies in the sector
using for this purpose the interposition of people of limited means with no links to the agricultural world
as fake farmers to whom the plot was invoicing fruit that had really been produced and delivered to the fruit wholesaler by local producers who did not wish to declare it
who provided their documentation in exchange for a small financial benefit
were registered as agricultural workers by the criminal organisation
which allegedly falsified the documents for the purchase and sale of the subtropical fruit in order to make the activity appear legal and introduce the products on the market
The network also included numerous agricultural producers
legally registered in the established regime
who did not wish to invoice their entire production so as not to legally declare the real harvest and thus obtain various tax benefits
the first operational phase was carried out
leading to the arrest of 55 people and the practice of eight house searches
which resulted in the seizure of 770,585 euros in cash
the blocking of bank accounts with a balance of 360,403.69 euros
the seizure of a large number of movable and immovable assets
as well as the intervention of a significant volume of physical and digital documentation
action was taken against the management of the criminal organisation and the network of transporters issuing false invoices
agents attached to the UDEF economic and fiscal crime unit in Malaga began an analysis of documents that allowed them to climb up the ladder
finding evidence of the involvement of both the owner of the leading company in the subtropical fruit market and of several workers
A specialist in judicial assistance from AEAT joined the case which
together with the work of the police investigators
led to the uncovering of a millionaire fraud against the public finances through an extensive network of false invoicing and the use of intermediaries or front men
both in the fruit market and in other support services for the same
twenty searches were carried out at the homes of individuals and legal entities
including one at the headquarters of the leading company in the sale of subtropical fruit
the seizure of 991,855 euros in cash and five high-end cars
and the blocking of financial products belonging to those under investigation and the companies controlled by the network
Among those under investigation are an employee of a Cajamar bank branch where the fraudulent cheques were paid
cheques issued in favour of the fake farmers and which were cashed by the organisation in a bank in Vélez-Málaga
and also a senior member of the main suspect's company
who was in charge of the accounting and management of the organisation's cash 'B' account
When the operation hit the media in June 2022
Frutas Montosa announced that it had opened an internal investigation and denied that the operation affected its business solvency
"We are the main interested parties in clearing up the case as soon as possible," said the subtropical fruit company at the time
the company continues to operate normally in the national and international markets
It should be noted that among the 550 people under investigation is the mayor of Iznate
The court in Vélez-Málaga is investigating alleged offences of membership of a criminal group
tax fraud and money laundering within the subtropical fruit company Frutas Montosa
A recent Tinsa report highlights Vélez-Málaga as experiencing the second-largest rise in housing prices among Spain’s coastal towns
This increase reflects a broader trend of rising property values
with 70 per cent of towns and cities studied showing annual price growth above the national average
In the second quarter of 2024, Vélez-Málaga saw a significant 6.8 per cent increase in housing prices, the highest recorded during this period. Other towns with notable price increases include Motril, Cartagena
The current national average for housing prices stands at €1,778 per square metre
Madrid as usual tops the list with the highest prices at €3,833 per square metre
Coastal cities and towns like Marbella and Benidorm
This upward trend highlights the growing appeal of coastal and city areas in Spain’s real estate market. For buyers, these rising prices mean that securing property in popular areas like Vélez-Málaga may require acting quickly and budgeting more than anticipated
Increased competition and higher costs could impact affordability and availability
the increase in prices presents a favourable opportunity to capitalise on increased property values
Expert Insight: Real estate analysts recommend monitoring the local market closely as price trends can shift
Buyers and sellers should stay informed about national and regional real estate developments to make the most strategic decisions in this dynamic environment
For more Axarquia and Costa Tropical news and events click here
The mouth of the River Vélez to the west of Torre del Mar on the eastern Costa del Sol is home to some of the most important Phoenician sites on the Spanish mainland
which is located between Torre del Mar and Almayate
Excavated in the 1960s by the German Archaeological Institute
with complaints from local residents and heritage groups including the Sociedad de Amigos de la Cultura (SAC)
work has been carried out to restore and clean up the area
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the first excavations
Councillor for culture and historical heritage for Vélez-Málaga
presented on Thursday 23 January the new signage
maintenance and conservation plan carried out by her department to give greater visibility and
enhancement of the Phoenician sites known as 'Los Toscanos'
This initiative aims to provide visitors to the town with visual access to the area by means of large-scale signage featuring the symbol of the archaeological site and the name Los Toscanos
Ramírez visited the maintenance and conservation work being carried out in the area together with the deputy mayor of Almayate
Jesús María Claros and the Town hall's heritage expert
Ramírez said that the sites are "very important for the municipality" and that the town hall is "very conscious of maintaining
Ramírez also said that the archaeological remains "place us in a first level in terms of the Phoenician world"
She explained that the new signage explains "to all tourists and other groups that come to learn about a fundamental part of our history"
Last year similar signs were installed at the El Jardín and the Tombs of Lagos Phoenician remains
Ramírez also talked about the implementation of a comprehensive plan for the cleaning and maintenance of the main archaeological remains of the municipality
including the cleaning and conservation of Los Toscanos
similar actions will be undertaken throughout the whole of the Alcazaba-Fortress of Vélez-Málaga
Maintenance and conservation work will be carried out three times a year at this location and twice a year at Los Toscanos
A conference day is being held this Friday 24 January to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of excavations by the German Archaeological Institute from 12pm in the Museum of Vélez-Málaga (Muvel)
Malaga province's Sabor a Málaga foodie market will be in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March offering 36 exhibitors selling local products and produce
The stalls will be distributed along Calle Canalejas in Vélez-Málaga town centre and will be open from 11am to 9pm on Friday
As well as the opportunity to buy local products
there will also be activities such as tastings
One of the highlights will take place on Friday at 7pm when foodies will be able to enjoy a workshop on how to make 'ajobacalao'
given by the experts from Lujo del Paladar
one of the leading companies that produces this traditional garlic cod paste made and eaten in the town during Easter week
The promotional brand Sabor a Málaga is promoted by Malaga's provincial authority
which works on the quality and authenticity of the province's agri-food products
Vélez-Málaga is known as the capital of the Axarquía area of Malaga province
one of the areas with the highest production of subtropical fruits
It is also home to a number of olive oil cooperatives
A full programme of live music and dance will accompany the event
Click here for more information
A tragic incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning in the centre of Vélez-Málaga
during the last night of the municipality's Real Feria de San Miguel
died after falling down a flight of steps located in the Conjunto El Carmen residential area when he was returning to his home
It was a security guard at a nearby public car park who found the body of the young resident of Vélez-Málaga and alerted the emergency health services at around 4.20am
The medical staff found the young man unconscious and with a severe blow to the head but they could do nothing to save his life
The young man had suffered a severe cranioencephalic traumatism
after apparently falling down some steps in Calle Escalerilla del Carmen
National Police officers have taken charge of the investigation
although the main hypothesis suggests it was an accidental death
The incident has caused a great upset in Vélez-Málaga
the young man had spent some time at the town's fair with a group of friends earlier
His body was taken to Malaga for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death
Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol will no longer experience nighttime water cuts after 18 months of the restriction being in place
The 86,000 inhabitants of the Costa del Sol town are breathing a sigh of relief after the measure
was scrapped by town hall and water company Aqualia on Monday 23 December
It comes amid abundant rainfall in autumn and the increase in the maximum water supply per inhabitant authorised by the Junta de Andalucía after the last drought committee meeting
residents in the 11 towns that make up Vélez-Malaga will no longer have to fear a cut to their water supply
particularly those who do not have water tanks
The nighttime cuts have been varying in length
but this past September they were in effect between 11.30pm and 7.30am
town hall appealed to the population to continue to use water responsibly
adding that they are still working to repair leaks in the networks
which are around 20% of the quantities that are supplied by the public company Axaragua
told SUR that the scrapping of the nighttime cuts has been agreed "for the moment"
but that it has not yet been decided whether they will need to be resumed in the coming weeks
depending on the population's consumption levels
Portero urged residents to use water responsibly as the drought is not over and the water reserves of La Viñuela reservoir are still only at 22% of its capacity
the current volume is three times what it was a year ago
has lined up a whole weekend of ways to fall in love with the town known as 'the capital of the Axarquía'
First off a 'Rincón del Beso' (Kissing Corner) statue is to be inaugurated on Valentine's Day in the historic La Villa area of the town
In fact there's even a competition to find the most original kissers with the winners being given a night in a hotel and a romantic dinner in a hotel in the town
will see the return of the Portovelis market with stalls selling artisan and local gastronomic products on Plaza de las Carmelitas and Calle Canalejas
the event will begin at midday and will last until 8pm and there will be live music throughout the afternoon
the town's first Festibeer beer festival is taking place in Parque Andalucía near the town centre
The event will start at 7pm on Friday 14 February and last until Sunday evening
At 1pm on Sunday there will be a private beer tasting as well as live music and a table football tournament
On at the Teatro del Carmen on Saturday at 8pm is the play 'Boabdil
which explores the final days of the Nasrid kingdom
Sunday will be the last day to visit the 'Nazareno
según Sánchez Mesa' exhibition which is open to the public at the Museo de la Semana Santa
While in the town it's the ideal opportunity to learn more about the history of Vélez-Málaga by visiting the Fortaleza (the fortress)
Casa de Cervantes (now the official language school)
the Marqués de Beniel church and the Virgen de los Remedios chapel which is famous for its murals by Evaristo Guerra which project the image of the surrounding area inside the building
giving it its name 'the transparent chapel'
Other historical sites not to be missed are the Felipe II fountain
the old Hospital de San Juan de Dios and Nuestra Señora de Gracia monestary (known as 'Las Claras')
The remains of the old city wall can be found in the upper part of the old town
Although most of what can be seen has been restored
some of the original parts are also visable
Where: In the upper part of the old town of Vélez-Málaga
What was once the first church in Vélez is now home to the Easter week museum with information and displays about the different images of Our Lady and Jesus Christ and the town's Holy Week brotherhoods
At the foot of the castle you can find the quarter that was once the Andalusian medina
Where: Entrance via Plaza de la Constitución
A building now used for cultural activities including the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (official language school) which may have been the place where Miguel de Cervantes stayed while he was visiting Vélez-Málaga
which is in good condition thanks to the fact that it was part of a house in Vélez-Málaga for many years
La Sastrería La Sastrería La Sastrería La Sastrería
this establishment has become one of the temples of 'mollete' in the province of Malaga
has made a firm commitment to molletes - a traditional bread from Malaga province
they also have other breads that are ideal for breakfast
La Casa de las Titas La Casa de las Titas
the family-run apartments offer both short and long-term stays
they also sometimes offer guided tours of the old town
Where: Calle Magdalena, 2, Bajo. 29700 Vélez-Málaga. Telephone: 952 502 061. www.lacasadelastitas.com
Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has allocated 98,594 euros to rejuvenate La Villa
flowerbeds and improvements to the façades of its buildings
visited the area to mark the completion of the project which has consisted of landscaping and rejuvenating areas of the neighbourhood
installation of irrigation systems in the garden next to Santa Maria church
introducing flowerpots and metal arches on the façades of buildings
replacing plants and improving the flowerbeds in Calle Puerta Granada and Calle Las Tiendas
The mayor emphasised the "awareness" that has been achieved among residents of the neighbourhood so that
authorities and local residents make La Villa "a must visit" part of Vélez-Málaga
The project in La Villa has been financed by the programme for the promotion of agricultural employment (PFEA) which has included improving infrastructure
green spaces and facilities in the municipality
with a budget item amounting to 659,290 euros
The Vélez-Málaga tramway - the first modern tramway to operate in the Andalucía region of southern Span - has been out of service for 13 years
This is more years than it was operational since its launch in 2006
Despite the significant investment of more than 40 million euros that were put into its inauguration
the town hall has been promising to run a survey among residents and assess its re-opening
is the lack of enough municipal sources for the investment of such an operation
the municipal leader has assured that he still plans to carry out the survey
Spain's central government has given the municipal authority a year to justify the 3.7-million-euro subsidy from European funds
allocated for the reactivation of the tramway
we are talking about 15 million euros to set up something that would not entirely solve our transport issues
We are trying to update the whole transport service
because the bus service has become a bit obsolete in terms of improvements in accessibility and proximity," said Lupiáñez
Technicians have also evaluated the deteriorated state of the tramway system
Lupiáñez said that he has not fully ruled out the possibility of creating a BRT system of electric buses that would use the tram platforms
The main issue with buses is that they pass through the town's main roads
contributing to further saturation and traffic jams
"We don't have specialised roads like Seville," said the mayor
highlighting that the age of buses in the municipality is not the problem
as there are already two new vehicles and three expected in the summer
The mayor has expressed his frustration with the Junta's delay in integrating Vélez-Málaga into the transport consortium of Malaga's metropolitan area
Lupiáñez has stated that "it makes no sense that Antequera has entered
even though it is located much further from Malaga than Vélez"
with much less people travelling to the city
"I have to defend the interests of my citizens," said the mayor
A business owner who was abducted on Monday 3 March on an industrial estate in Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol was beaten and left on a roadside by his captors and is now being treated in hospital
The man was found on a road with bruises and wounds to his body
It appears that he was released by his captors after being beaten
although the investigation into the incident is ongoing
The abduction happened at 5.30pm on Monday on the town's La Pañoleta industrial estate
Three hooded and armed men broke into the premises of the company and bundled the 58-year-old owner of the business into a car
a number of dark-coloured cars appeared at the door of the car dealership
The alleged criminals pointed a gun at the victim and took him away in the presence of other staff and his wife
who ran out into the street screaming and tried to chase the vehicle on foot
The kidnappers apparently bundled the man into the boot of one of the cars and left the area at high speed
The whole incident was over in less than three minutes according to witnesses
The 112 Andalucía emergency telephone operators received a call alerting them to the abduction
Local Police officers arrived at the scene but were unable to intercept the kidnappers
who by then had already managed to escape from the industrial estate
National Police officers are now investigating the incident
Staff at a nearby business premises told SUR that the victim had been running the business for more than a decade and said
After a year and a half of nightly water cuts
the 86,000 inhabitants of Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol are no longer be subjected to these interruptions as of Monday 23 December
This is thanks to the heavy rainfall in autumn and the increase in the maximum allocation per inhabitant authorised by the Junta de Andalucía after the last drought management committee
As such residents of the 11 towns and villages that make up the extensive municipal district of Vélez-Málaga in the Axarquía no longer have to worry about being left without water supply in their homes
The night-time cuts have been varying in duration over the last 18 months
but in September they were fixed between 10pm and 7.30am
town hall has appealed to the population to continue with “moderate water consumption”
while stressing that they are still working to repair the leaks in the municipal supply networks
which are around 28% of the quantities supplied by public water company Axaragua
which forms part of the Mancomunidad association of town halls in the Axarquía
Jesus Maria Claros said in statements to Cadena Ser radio in the Axarquía that important investments have been made in the acquisition of equipment with air pressure and sound systems
Aqualia manager Javier Portero told SUR that the nighttime cuts have been suspended “for the moment” but that it has not yet been decided whether they will have to be resumed in the coming weeks
depending on how the population's consumption levels and the reserves in the area’s La Viñuela reservoir are
He added that it would also depend on further significant rainfall in the winter and spring
Portero also called for “responsible water consumption” as the drought is not over and the water reserves of La Viñuela are still only at 22 per cent of its capacity
Aqualia, the company responsible for water management in Vélez-Málaga
has announced planned water supply restrictions for the week of December 9 to 15
These measures are necessary to ensure efficient water management during a period of increased demand and limited resources
affecting multiple locations in the Vélez-Málaga area
These include the town of Vélez-Málaga itself
Residents and businesses in these areas are advised to plan accordingly to minimize inconvenience
Aqualia recommends storing sufficient water for essential activities during the affected hours and encourages the community to use water responsibly throughout this period
The company assures residents that these temporary restrictions are part of a broader effort to maintain sustainable water services and infrastructure in the region
while the current water levels of the La Viñuela reservoir sit at 21.8 per cent
The water supply interruptions highlight the importance of community cooperation during periods of limited water availability
Residents are urged to stay informed about updates or changes to the schedule
which will be communicated through official Aqualia channels
This initiative underscores the challenges faced in balancing water needs with environmental and resource considerations
especially in areas like Vélez-Málaga that experience periodic drought conditions
Find out more about what’s going on in Axarquía
Velez-Malaga is set to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 7 and 8
The Town Hall has prepared a series of events and initiatives that are celebrating women’s contributions to society and raising awareness about gender equality
The iconic landmarks in the town will be lit up in purple, including the Ermita del Cerro and the Virgen del Carmen Fountain in Torre del Mar
A commemorative ribbon will also be displayed on the town hall’s facade
The activities were unveiled by local officials
They highlighted the town’s commitment to gender equality and social justice through a diverse program of events for all citizens
“These initiatives aim to showcase the role of women in society and promote awareness about gender equity,” said García
The events include an official ceremony on March 7 in Plaza de Las Carmelitas
where a manifesto approved by the Municipal Plenary will be read aloud
“Shared Experiences: Journeys Toward Equality” is scheduled at the Exile Studies Center
This gathering will offer a platform for women leaders from Velez-Malaga to share their insights on issues like health
Other highlights include the theatrical performance “Ni soy heroína…
which humorously tackles the challenges faced by women
Workshops on gender violence and sexual education will also be held at local schools
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