| Frigiliana is situated just 7km from Nerja at the foot | | | | ultimatum, either convert to Christianity or leave |
| of the Almijara Mountains; tourist visiting for the first | | | | Spain. |
| time can't help but fall in love with this charming | | | | Prior to their feigned conversion, the Moriscos were |
| village. In the centre of the old quarter, set in a plaza | | | | known as Mudéjars (The name Moriscos |
| is the Church. It was in fact a mosque during the | | | | refers to Moors converting from Islam to |
| Moors occupation. Today the plaza is full of | | | | Catholicism). Philip II of Spain issued a directive in 1567 |
| restaurants and coffee bars with tables set outside. | | | | that the Moors had to give up their Muslim customs; |
| Take a coffee, meal or glass of wine in this tranquil | | | | they were not even aloud to speak Arabic. They |
| setting and watch the world go by. | | | | were then informed their children would be taken |
| The whitewashed Moorish style houses are just a | | | | from them and given to Christian Priests to be |
| canvas for the array of colourful flowers displayed | | | | educated |
| outside every home. Like so many old Andalucian | | | | This caused an uprising in 1568. In 1571 at the end of |
| villages, Frigiliana is all steps and narrow road, this, | | | | the revolt was particularly violent. The Moriscos of |
| whilst taxing is actually very rewarding. For round | | | | the village and the countryside around Frigiliana, |
| each corner or through each archway is another | | | | fought to the death against a professional army led |
| charming sight or interesting curiosity. | | | | by the governor of the garrison at Nerja. The final |
| For instance, when wandering around the narrow | | | | act of the battle was staged by the surviving |
| cobbled streets, stop and read the ceramic plaques | | | | Moriscos women, who threw themselves to their |
| depicting historical events located on street corners. | | | | deaths from the rocky heights above the village |
| The plaques tell the story of the rebellion in Frigiliana | | | | rather than be taken into captivity. It is rumoured |
| by the Moriscos against the Christian rulers of the | | | | that some of the bones can still be found scattered |
| area. In 1502 the Spanish gave the Moors an | | | | in the countryside along with the weapons they used. |