Arahal

History

Arahal's municipal archives were looted in 1857, obscuring its early history. Archaeological evidence suggests Arahal has ancient origins, with the name Basilippo found on tombstones. It is believed Arahal was a resting place for shepherds. After Fernando III's re-conquest of the region in 1240, Arahal belonged to the Order of Alcántara until 1460 and gained its own council in 1527. Arahal was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1979. In 2024, Arahal became known for its colourfully canopied shopping streets, hand-crocheted using over 2,000 balls of yarn by around 300 local residents to provide shade in the summer.

Most-observed species

• Crested Lark

  Galerida cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  248
• Pallid Big-headed Ant

  Pheidole pallidula (Nylander, 1849) · Insecta
  239
• Barbary Harvester Ant

  Messor barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767) · Insecta
  235
• White Stork

  Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  191
• Eurasian Collared-Dove

  Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) · Aves
  171
• Zitting Cisticola

  Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque, 1810) · Aves
  168
• Black Kite

  Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  160
• corn bunting

  Emberiza calandra Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  152