LetsGoHistory

Sayalonga is a town and municipality in the province of Malaga, part of Andalucia in southern Spain. It is situated in the region known as the Axarquia. The municipality is situated approximately 38 kilometres from Malaga and 12 kilometres from Velez Malaga. It has a population of approximately 1,300 residents. The natives are called Sayalonguinos.

So what is the fascination with Sayalonga in the Axarquia, apart from its great walks, the Moorish museum, the local vineyard at Bentomiz, excellent restaurants and accommodation?  Well, did you know that Sayalonga has long historical links with Scotland through the only round cemetry in Spain. The Round Cemetery  was built during the first half of the nineteenth century, commissioned by  Carlos III.  Due to  hygiene reasons the cemeteries had to be built outside the city walls and population centres. The cemetery that existed prior to the construction of the Round Cemetery was in the courtyard of the Santa Catalina Church which was built in Mudejar style, is constructed on the ancient mosque of the village.  It actually has an octagonal floor.  Legend has it that the famous Christian knight came to drink at the fountain. The romantic version: indicates that it was built in this way, all round so that "no deceased turns his back on another".

It is the only such cemetery in Spain and as no explanation has been found, it remains surrounded by many mysteries and legends even today.  The most common legend was that it was the Knights Templars who built it and that it has masonic origins. Others say there was no direct connection.    The Knights Templar was a Catholic military order  founded in 1119 with their headquarters in Jerusalem and existed for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages. Nowadays, several orders of the knighthood continue to exist in Christian Churches, in addition to a number of Christian countries and previously held territories such as Malta and the English Order of the Garter. 

The Peace Monument is a large sculpture at the entrance to the village, coming from the Torrox direction referring to the victims of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).  This brings things full circle, as there is a Spanish Civil War museum in Competa.