 Situated in the fertile valley of the Río Grande and overlooked by the Sierra de Alpujata, Coín has an unexpectedly rich and varied history. Even before the time of the Roman Conquest, there is little doubt that a community of some kind existed in the area, although the first recorded name ‘Lacibis’ was given by the Romans. The town of Italica, birthplace of the future emperor Haydn in 76AD was constructed using marble from quarries situated just five kilometres south of Coín, in the Sierra Blanca.
Coín was a thriving market town during this period and the minerals and iron ore being mined and quarried nearby would have passed through until well into the 19th century.
Subsequently, when the Visigoths ruled the Iberian Peninsula, Coín became deserted and fell into decay. It seems that by the time the Moors resettled around 929AD, all evidence of Roman heritage was lost during reconstruction. However, the resettlement restored the former glory of the town and made it once again one of the most thriving towns in the area. The Moors spent their five hundred years of rule in the improvement of cultivation and architecture. Also, their irrigation systems were so successful that some are still preserved to this day. At this time, Coín became an important commercial centre for wines and oils as well as a large variety of fruits and vegetables.
In 1485 the Christian re-conquest saw the pueblo taken by a siege which, according to legend, involved Christopher Columbus. Another prestigious visitor in 1829 was Captain S.E. Cook who took in the sights of Coín, Alhaurín and Cártama and wrote: “These villages are on rising ground above the river and in beauty of situation and cultivation cannot be excelled. They afford a specimen of the whole country when possessed by the Moors, being surrounded by gardens with orange, lemon and palm trees and abounding in all the fine as well as the more common fruits.”
Although it remains a village, Coin officially obtained the title of city in 1925 by the then King Alfonso XIII.
Coin is home to number of cultural points of interest. One of the most picturesque is the shrine of Nuestra Señora de Fuensanta. This beautifully preserved chapel stands on top of a hill beside the fairground. Three are also two parish churches; the San Andres and the San Juan. The San Andres is also known as the Caridad and forms part of the hospital of the same name. The San Juan is one of the largest churches in the province and has officially been declared as a national monument.
Coín also houses a productive ceramics factory and a film studio, used most notably as a set for the infamous soap opera ‘Eldorado’ but still active to this day. The local ‘Casa de Cultura’ stages regular concerts and plays as well as exhibitions of the works of excellent local artists.
Recently, the local Department of Culture embarked on a project to decorate some of the town walls with illustrated tiles depicting episodes in its history.
 Area: 128,40 km²
Number of habitants: 20.000 approx.
Known as: Coineños
Monuments: Church of Santa María de la Encarnación, Church of San Juan, Hospital de la Caridad, Torre de los Trinitarios.
Geographical Position: Situated on the Northern slopes of la Sierra de Alpujata. 38 kilometres from Málaga and 435 metres above sea level.
Tourist Information: Ayuntamiento, Plaza Alameda, 10. 29100. Tel: 952 453 018 Fax: 952 453 284
Tourist Information: Plaza Santa María. Tel/Fax: 952 453 211. |
