Costa del Sol Towns

Estepona History

Estepona was inhabited during prehistoric times; flint tools and dolmens were discovered throughout the course of a stream west of the town.

Its origin is disputed, although the latter hypothesis, based on the existence of an Iberian city with an important natural harbor, suggests the Iberian oppidum of Salduba was the original settlement, then Estepona.

However, in recent years, Roman remains have been found in the center of the town, which corresponds to an important Roman villa not only for industrial use (salt) but also in defense.

During Muslim times, there was a fortress called Al-extebunna, which may be how Estepona got its name.

In the year 1342  there was a naval battle of 30 galleys off the coast of Estepona known as the fleet of Aragon (supported by Genova Castilla).

 

In the 15th century, during the Muslim rule, the inhabitants of the town refused to pay taxes to King Henry IV, finally authorizing an incursion on Christianity. During 1456 and the following year,King Henry reclaimed his castle and the town.

He then wanted to protect the coast by building a new town—the former had been virtually destroyed—and a fortress. With the Catholic Kings, Juana la Loca put the unit under Marbella until the arrival of Philip V.

From the 15th century through the 19th century, there was hardly a population increase. In the past two centuries the population became more stable and slowly grew until the late 20th century.