Istan
"The numerous irrigation ditches define the essence that characterizes this place: water."
Istan was always a rich place, specifically in the sixteenth century its mountains, although rough, were abundant in vineyards, whose raisins and wines came directly to Marbella to load the ships of Flanders, Brittany and England. Its main grove was composed of chestnut, walnut and mulberry trees, the latter because of the intense silk industry.
From the process of repopulation with old Christians who took possession of the properties of the Moors, a group from the Murcian huerta, speakers of ‘panocho’, settled in Istán, thus influencing the local gentilicio. This demographic change marked the beginning of a new way of life, whose current social system has its roots in those settlers. The irrigation ditches, of Muslim origin, are one of the main attractions of the municipality, distributing water for the irrigation of orchards and terraces that surround the town, and represent the Arab ingenuity to channel water for human purposes.
The irrigation ditches, essential in the landscape of Istan, continue to be vital for the traditional irrigation of the orchards, forming an intricate system that crosses the subsoil of many streets. The ‘Acequia del Chorro’, in particular, stands out for its scenic route from the source of the Molinos River, offering incomparable natural beauty.
Interesting facts about Istán
- Plaza de Andalucía, s/n. 29611. Istan. Malaga.
- Telephone: 952 86 96 03
- Fax: 952 86 96 65
- Email: alcalde@istan.es
- Mayor: Excmo. Mr. José Miguel Marín Marín
- Surface area: 99.6 Km².
- Height: 200 m
- Average temperature: 16.1 °C
- Sunshine hours: 2650 hours / year
- Precipitation: 930 l/m²
- Goat with garlic
- Cooked soups
- Maimones soup
- Stewed cabbage
- Greaves stew
- Tomato soup with prickly pear
- Oil cakes
- Borrachuelos
- Empedrada, 32.C.P.29611. Istan. Malaga.
- Telephone: 952 86 96 03
- Web: http://www.istan.es
- Holy Week: performance of El paso
- St. Mark’s Day: April 25
- Tomillería de San Miguel and Pilgrimage: Sunday before September 29th
- Youth House
- Urban area
- Parish Church of San Miguel (XVI c.)
- Public laundry
- La Herriza viewpoint
- Viewpoint of the Azufaifo
- Tajo Bandera Viewpoint
- Source of the Verde River and Molino
- Sima de la Concha
- Arab Tower
