09.02.2025
The history of Marbella from ancient settlement to the jewel of the Costa del Sol
Marbella is one of the most prestigious cities in Spain, known worldwide as a symbol of luxury, elegance, and an exclusive lifestyle. Today, it attracts millionaires, celebrities, and investors from around the globe, yet its history stretches back thousands of years. From Roman times, through Moorish rule, to the golden era of the 20th century, Marbella has undergone numerous transformations that have shaped it into the city it is today.
Ancient origins of Marbella – the Phoenicians and the Romans
The oldest traces of settlement in the Marbella area date back to the Paleolithic era. However, it was the Phoenicians (around 900 BC) who were the first civilisation to establish trading settlements here. They focused on commerce and seafaring, taking advantage of the strategic location along the Mediterranean coast.During the Roman Empire, Marbella was known as Salduba, meaning the “City of Salt.” It was a thriving port settlement that played an important role in regional trade. To this day, several Roman and early Christian remains can be found in the area, including:
◉ Villa Romana de Río Verde – the remains of a luxurious Roman villa with exceptionally well-preserved mosaics.
◉ Las Termas de Guadalmina – ancient Roman bath complexes.
◉ Vega del Mar Basilica – one of the oldest Christian structures in Spain.
The Moorish era – Marbella as a fortified city
In 711, following the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, Marbella became part of the powerful Caliphate of Córdoba. It was during this period, between the 9th and 10th centuries, that the city gained its first major fortifications—the Alcazaba of Marbella, whose defensive walls can still be admired today in the Old Town.Marbella and the Moorish Heritage of Andalusia’s Golden Age
Like Córdoba, Marbella formed part of the Caliphate of Córdoba and served an important role as a strategic defensive and trading settlement. In the 10th century, when Córdoba flourished as a centre of science, culture, and learning, Marbella was among the Andalusian cities that prospered thanks to Moorish infrastructure, agriculture, and architecture.
The Alcazaba of Marbella – a testament to Arab rule
One of the most significant Moorish remnants in Marbella is the Alcazaba, a 9th-century fortress whose walls are still visible in the historic centre. It was constructed as part of a wider defensive system protecting the Andalusian coastline from attacks by Christian kingdoms and pirates.
Agricultural development and water engineering
The Moors can be credited with creating the foundations of modern agriculture in Andalusia. Through advanced irrigation techniques, they introduced the cultivation of crops such as oranges, olives, grapevines, and almonds—plants that continue to dominate the landscape of Marbella and the surrounding region to this day.
Moorish rule in Marbella came to an end in 1485, when the city was captured by the Christian forces of the Catholic Monarchs.
The influence of Arab architecture and urban planning
Marbella, much like Córdoba, has preserved elements of Mudéjar architecture—a style that blends Islamic artistic traditions with Christian cultural influences. The narrow, winding streets of Marbella’s Old Town, whitewashed houses, and hidden inner courtyards are characteristic features of Islamic urban planning and reflect the city’s Moorish heritage.Marbella in the modern era – agriculture and industry
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Marbella remained a relatively small, agricultural town, known primarily for the cultivation of grapevines, olives, and almonds.
In the 19th century, an industrial phase began with the establishment of iron foundries and mines, which drove economic development in the region. Despite this growth, Marbella remained largely unknown at the time and bore little resemblance to the luxury resort destination it has become today.
The 20th century – Marbella’s transformation into a luxury resort
Marbella, today regarded as the jewel of the Costa del Sol, owes its status as a luxury resort to a series of remarkable events and influential personal initiatives.In the first half of the 20th century, Marbella was still a small village whose inhabitants relied mainly on agriculture. Most of the land was owned by five wealthy families:
◉ Juan and Enrique Belón
◉ Juan Lavigne
◉ Juan Lima
All of the above were based in Marbella, as well as:
◉ Elvira Tallefer and her husband Salvador Guerrero from Málaga (an interesting fact: today’s prestigious district of Elviria takes its name from Mrs Tallefer)
◉ Norberto Goizueta from Navarre – founder of the renowned Guadalmina development
Everything changed in 1946, when the German prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe-Langenburg, travelling through southern Spain with his father, experienced a breakdown of his Rolls-Royce near what was then the small fishing village of Marbella. Captivated by the charm of the area, he decided to purchase land and build a residence he named Finca Santa Margarita. Shortly afterwards, he sold plots to his wealthy friends, including members of the Thyssen and Rothschild families. His home became so popular among guests that in 1954 it was transformed into the Marbella Club Hotel, the first luxury hotel on the Costa del Sol.
Marbella soon began attracting international stars and high society. Among its residents and frequent visitors was Sean Connery, who owned a seaside villa between Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara, known as “Malibu.” Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Eva Longoria, and Simon Cowell also chose Marbella as their holiday destination.
In the following decades, the city continued to attract prominent figures, including:
◉ Brigitte Bardot – a French cinema icon who fell in love with the Costa del Sol
◉ Audrey Hepburn – who frequently visited Marbella as a place of relaxation
◉ King Fahd of Saudi Arabia – who built an opulent residence inspired by the Alhambra
◉ The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
◉ Prince Rainier of Monaco and his wife Grace Kelly
Thanks to the presence of such figures, Marbella rapidly became one of the most exclusive resorts in Europe, renowned for its luxury villas, prestigious beach clubs, and high-end boutiques.
Driven by Prince Alfonso’s vision and the interest of the global elite, Marbella evolved from a small fishing village into a luxury destination that today stands as a symbol of prestige, elegance, and refined living.