The
history of Almuñecar dates back to 1500 BC, with the
presence of the Argaric culture in the Bronze Age. As time passed,
socioeconomic conditions evolved and towards the end of the
ninth century BC, the area was colonized by the Phoenicians,
who created the urban structure of the colony known as Ex. Thus,
when the Romans arrived at the end of the third century BC,
they discovered a well-structured town possessing a thriving
economy based on cured fish and using its own currency. The
Romans remodelled the town, constructing temples, a theatre
and an aqueduct, transforming both the physical aspect and its
name, giving it the title Sexi Firmum Iulium.
In the epoch of the
Moorish domination of Spain, when present-day Andalusia was
known as al-Andalus, the illustrious traveller Idrisi, on arriving
in the town, mentioned the ruins of times past.
With the arrival of
Abdal-Rahman I in 755 AD, Almuñecar became, according
to the Moors' administrative system, part of the Cora of Elvira.
At that time, Almuñecar
was a strongpoint on the coast, a hins or castle, although
it was not termed medina or town until the eleventh century.
Agricultural production consisted of sugar, bananas, grapes,
cereals and all kinds of fruits, while the excellent fishing
in its waters was known to all. The town had a port, urban areas
beyond its walls, markets and a substantial mosque.
During the period in
which the territory of al-Andalus was divided into various taifas
, Almuñecar was incorporated into that of Granada and
became established as the principal coastal town of the region.
In the times of the
Nazari kingdom, Almuñecar was one of its most important
regions, in conjunction with the other communities that comprised
the district: Cázulas, Lentejí, Trujillas, Otivar,
Jete, the long-vanished estate of Budíjar, Itrabo and
Jate (near Moscaríl). It was frequently visited by the
Moorish royal family, who spent long periods in the royal residence.
After the fall of Baza
in 1489, the coast of Granada surrendered to the Castilian troops
in December of the same year, under the terms of the document
signed in Almuñecar.
The town's coat of
arms, constituting the heads of three Berber pirates floating
on the sea, were awarded by the Emperor Charles III.
