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Located
in the
province
of
Malaga,
this
town
has
grown
over
the
last
few
years,
beyond
recognition.
Unlike
the
nearby
Alhaurín
el
Grande,
this
town
has
failed
to
preserve
much
of its
history.
The
recent
improvement
of the
major
highways
in the
area,
especially
the
N340
is at
the
root
of
Alhaurín
de la
Torre's
economic
resurrection
and
cultural
decline.
There
is no
doubt
that
with
the
current
boom
of
building
in
full
swing,
it
will
soon
outdo
Alhaurin
el
Grande
in
size
and
population.
The
biggest
attraction
for
visitors
to
Alhaurín
de la
Torre
is
undoubtedly
the
gardens
of El
Retiro.
Founded
in the
17th
Century
by
Fray
Alonso
de
Santo
Tomás,
Bishop
of
Málaga,
and
originally
used
by him
as his
retirement
home
(hence,
El
Retiro)
the
gardens
display
an
impressive
variety
of
plant
and
wild
life.
Each
section
attempts
to
recreate
the
natural
habitat
of the
creatures
housed
in it,
from
semi-desert
to
tropical
swamp.
The
manor
house
at its
centre
has
also
been
impressively
restored.
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