Botanic Garden Torremolinos
Botanic Gardens Torremolinos or to give them their official title,"El Molino de Inca Botanical Jardin" are a delightful oasis in the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol and give a wonderful insight into a world long since departed.
During the Moorish occupation of Spain an area known as Torre de los Molinos, or Tower of the Mills, Historical documents tell of an invasion into the area in 1432 by Gomez Ribera which resulted in the destruction some of the of mills. Then in 1501, after the reconquest, the City of Málaga was granted jurisdictional rights and privileges over lands which included these natural spring along with the settlements in the area that is now known as Torremolinos.
In 1700 Joseph de Inca Sotomayor was given permission by the Corporation of Málaga to build two mills on land that had a natural spring and today these mills are not only still there but they still operate using the water from the same spring. These mills are now the centrepiece of an area set aside as the Molino de Inca Botanical Gardens. They have been loving restored with the use of original materials. A display of photographs taken during the restoration illustrate just how difficult this project was, particularly when it came to manoeuvring the enormous millstones. The horizontally inclined water wheel is a modern day replica. However it is a work of art in its own right and operates very efficiently. 
Two water wheels power the two massive stones which still grind the wheat to produce flour. This is then sieved, riddled and bagged and sold. Watching this operation one has to admire the 300 year old ingenious engineering and you also have to marvel at the 5,000 year history of development behind it.In another part of the mill you are able to see working models which illustrate this history.On leaving the mill you will find yourself in the beautiful gardens that have been created around the natural spring waters coming from the hill via channels and waterways. It comes into the mill itself via a reservoir, called Albercon del Rey, after a visit by Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia in 1926.From there it goes into outfall pools beyond the mill and eventually emerges to enter the public water system which still feeds the town of Torremolinos as it has for hundreds of years. The gardens themselves are a delight. Along with palm trees from all over the world there is a good selection of tropical fruit trees, woodland trees and flowering shrubs. However the real beauty of these gardens lies in the underplanting.The choice of colour and form is inspired and they blend together with an understated ease and grace.
An outstanding 50 metre Araucaria excelsa tree stands as the centre piece of a small maze and dominates over its surrounding lesser cousins. All that said this gem of Torremolinos is sadly rather little known, probably due to the fact it is not very well signposted. However it is not difficult to find and very well worth the effort. From the A-7 take the Palacio de Congressos, Torremolinos exit.Head towards the town and then take the first road on the right, this is just a rough track. After about 1 km. you will come to a not very splendid car park and will see the gardens to your right. From the centre of Torremolinos it is probably just as easy to jump in a taxi which will cost around 6 euros. Open May-Sept 11.30 - 13.30 & 18.00 - 21.00; Oct - April 10.30. - 13.30 & 16.00 - 18.00. Closed Mondays. Entrance fee: €3 ( €1 for residents on the "padron") |
There are well maintained paths to lead you from one vista to another and the four seasons are represented by classical sculptures so positioned to symbolise the circular movement of time along with the celebration of various seasonal rites. Two magnificent stone lions act as guardians to the all important water.