 Vista de Sayalonga | ||
| Sayalonga | ||
| province | Málaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.568 (2020) | |
| height | 359 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Sayalonga is a village at 359 m altitude in the mountains of the Axarquia between Velez-Malaga and Torrox in the Málaga Province in Andalusia. It is known for the fruit grown there Medlar.
background
The pome fruit Medlar looks like a somewhat spotty apricot from a distance. A medlar bush up to 5 m high can bear a lot of fruits. The oval fruit is surrounded by a firm, hairy skin. The initially green fruits turn rusty red when ripe from the end of March. The white to reddish flesh tastes sourly tart when ripe, when the peel becomes spotty, tasty and sour like a mixture of apricot and cherry. The six chocolate-brown seeds in each fruit are annoying. Loquats are seldom consumed as fruit, but made into jam and jelly.
The medlar spread in Europe from the Near East to southern and western Europe. Commercial cultivation takes place only sporadically in Italy and Great Britain. They are occasionally found in local markets in California, Japan, Greece, southern Germany, southern France and Holland. 35 years ago the loquat was imported from California to Sayalonga. Only here did it become an economic factor and a tourist attraction. Every year, on the first Sunday in May, Sayalonga celebrates Medlar Day (El Dia del Nispero), a local festival with a painting competition on the subject of medlar, the exhibits of which can be admired in the local medlar museum.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is in Málaga.
By train
Sayalonga has no rail connection, the nearest train station is in Málaga.
In the street
Sayalonga is close to the A7 coastal expressway. Just behind Torre del Mar the A7206 branches off towards Algarrobo and Compéta. Sayalonga is located directly on the A7206, 5 km behind Algarrobo.
By boat
The nearest seaport is Málaga on the Mediterranean. Cruise ships also dock here.
mobility
Loymerbus public buses in Torre del Mar (Tel. 34 952541113) run to Malaga via Torre del Mar Monday to Friday at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. . From Malaga there are buses to Competa via Sayalonga Monday to Friday at 11:30 am, 1:15 pm, 6:30 pm and on Saturday at 6:30 pm.
Tourist Attractions
- Iglesia de Santa Catalina, at the Plaza de la Constitution.
- Callejon de la Alcuza. With only 56 cm on one side the narrowest alley in the Axarquia, the other side opens up like a funnel.
- Circular cemetery. Probably the only one of its kind in Spain, information point at the entrance (key at the tourist office).
- Lookout point outside the village towards Competa. Built in 2002, a short walk and a good view of the cemetery and the town.
- Fuente del Cid. An important source of drinking water in Moorish times, legend has it that El Cid drank from it.
- Corumbela Moorish minaret. Rich ornamentation.
activities
Medlar Day
shop
Medlar at market stalls and in all shops on medlar day.
kitchen
- Mesón Morisco restaurant, Plaza Rafael Alcola 8. Open: Wed - Mon 11 a.m. - midnight.
health
- Centro de Salud, Calle Carretera. Tel.: 34 952552404. Open: Mon, Tue, Thu 8.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m., emergencies outside of office hours.
Practical advice
miscellaneous
- Post office, on Calle Loma. Open: Mon - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sayalonga's postal code is 29752.
