The story of Nerja begins in prehistory. The Nerja Caves contain paintings of seals that are 42,000 years old – among the earliest known examples of human art – and evidence of occupation dating back about 20,000 years. The Romans arrived around 210 BC and established three settlements in the eastern part of Malaga, one of which was Detunda (now Maro), where many Roman artefacts have been found. In 711 the Arabs took control and gave the town the name Narixa, meaning ‘abundant spring’, during the cultural flowering of Al-Andalus.
Nerja surrendered to Christian armies in 1487. After a period of uneasy coexistence and repeated mistreatment, a revolt led to the expulsion of the Muslim and Jewish populations. Fear of pirate raids slowed development and prompted the building of watchtowers along the coast; several still stand. Christian churches were erected soon afterwards, including El Salvador in 1697 and the chapel of Las Angustias in 1720. The 17th century brought roads, a population of 8,000 and stone-paved streets. Since 1950 the growth of tourism and the international reputation of the caves have transformed the town.
