El Paseo de las Tradiciones (The Walk of the Traditions) is just off the main square, Plaza Almijara, of the white, mountain village of Cómpeta. Completed in 2009 on the site of the old municipal market, El Paseo de las Tradiciones is annexed to the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción).
As you stroll from the busy square, through the archway into the Paseo de las Tradiciones you will discover an oasis of calm. The floor is decorated with an intricate Moorish pattern of terracotta and white tiles, alongside a series of stunning ceramic murals celebrating the lives of generations of the ordinary working people of the village.
One wall of the Paseo de las Tradiciones pays testament to the trades and deeply-rooted traditions of the people of Cómpeta through the ages. The beautifully modern, brightly-coloured tiling in each of the alcoves was developed in the workshop of potter and sculptor, José Antonio Rivas.
The nine alcoves, each 3 metres high and 2 metres wide, not only depict the history of the collecting of the local vines, the muleteers and village smithy, old olive oil factory and the public laundry, but also recognize the contribution made by the Moors, who for 800 years did so much to improve the cultivation of the summer-dry, winter-wet sierras, bringing the first prosperity to the village.
The 500 years since the building of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption have not been easy for the people of Cómpeta.
The expulsion of the Moors, two great earthquakes followed shortly afterwards by a cholera epidemic, and the vine disease phylloxera, which devastated crops all over Europe in the mid-19th century, have all taken their toll. But the spirit of the villagers continues to thrive, as epitomized throughout the Paseo de las Tradiciones.
Where is your “oasis of calm”?
Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:
The elegant, main shopping street of Málaga
East of Málaga 
Ooooh, the Spanish do know how to do a good mural don’t they? Looks gorgeous.
I LOVE these beautiful modern tiles – they really are very special. Thanks for your lovely comment, Melanie 🙂
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Beautiful! I love the Moorish influences. I will definitely be taking notes from your posts for my much-anticipated trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco next summer… 🙂
Oh how wonderful, Cathy. You are going to have such a great time, I just know it!
I’m sure I will! I can’t wait… Thanks for the inspiration and your beautiful photos!
You´re welcome – and if you need any information that I might be able to help you with, please give me a shout.
Thanks for that kind offer! I’m sure I will hit you up for information as I plan my trip over the next year… 🙂
Gorgeous Marianne. Looks like there will be beautiful views too. I’ll pull up a chair.
What photo challenge, by the way? Must’ve missed it. Never have enough time anyway.
Thanks Jo 🙂
Here´s this month´s CBBH Photo Challenge which runs til the end of September.
https://eastofmalaga.net/2012/08/31/cbbh-photo-challenge-repetition/
Yes, I have seen it. I remember those beautiful tealights. Just lacking a memory these days! Thanks Marianne.
You´re welcome. It´s late 🙂
Beautiful, colourful and fresh ….. I would love the place! 🙂
I´m sure you would, Paula 🙂
There are rarely many people on the Paseo, though sometimes there is a local craft market held here, coming up to Christmastime.
Hawk´s Nest looks like a perfect oasis of calm to me – and with such lovely childhood memories for you. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, EllaDee.
Beautiful, interesting images. What a lovely way for the village to display it’s spirit through trades crafts, traditions and history. It looks peaceful and gloriously not crowded. As well as the futon on my verandah, I like to walk on an empty beach, so an example of my oasis of calm is http://elladeeplaces.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/footprints-in-the-sand/
What fantastic images. Stunning! 🙂
Thank you Dianne 🙂
I usually visit the Paseo each time I go into the village – it just feels right, you know?
What an amazing place. I would love to visit there one day. Thanks for the lovely photos
I hope you get the chance to visit sometime too, SueAnn.
Thanks for your visit and your continued support. 🙂
This is so beautiful, Marianne. It all looks impossibly perfect. I love those exquisite murals. 🙂
I would imagine the tiles were pretty expensive but they have made a lovely job.
It looks amazing
Thanks CTTTT!
You could always try a spell here in southern Spain …..
Gosh what beautiful tiled murals, lovely photos!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and make a comment, Gilly. Much appreciate your support. 🙂
How wonderful to be able to spread calm across the world 🙂
Yes, I can imagine your oasis has been the ocean and I´ve enjoyed reading all about your adventures, Sally.
Before I forget, I just wanted to say a BIG thank-you for nominating me for the Lovely Blog Award. Sadly, I didn´t get the pingback (no idea why), but I found your link when I came to have a look at your blog about an hour ago.
I feel like I’ve just had a little vacation before I start my day at work. And I feel calm just reading about and viewing your gorgeous photographs of Competa. My oasis this summer has been the ocean, whether kayaking or sailing on it, or spending time at the beach. Like you, I know how fortunate I am to live in a beautiful place. 🙂
Beautiful!These images look like they are straight out of a travel brochure!
Thanks Madhu 🙂
Cómpeta is a really pretty white village, and only a few kilometres from where I live.
Lucky you!
Yes, but I know it! 😉
What a fantastic post, the photos are fantastic, so clear! Is Competá far from Málaga? My oasis of calm is here:
http://chasingbutterfliessunshineandfreedom.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/weekly-photo-challenge-near-and-far-3/
Cómpeta is 55kms from Málaga so it takes around an hour by car. If you click on the (rather long) link above you can see where it is 🙂
I´m loving your oasis of calm and you have just scored yourself another follower!
Wow thanks for the Link Marianne, will check it out right now! Thanks for the follow, glad you liked the post, I´m currently working on your photo challenge, have two photos so far, hoping to get some more! G 🙂
Oh well done – I´ll look forward to seeing them 🙂
What a beautiful and clean place! My oasis of calm is here: http://laavventura.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/september-summer-daze/
It´s always beautifully kept, Jennifer 🙂
I´m not surprised you find this lovely beach a calming place. Thanks for sharing it!