History

The first settlements in this area. The location of this village was always strategic, since it was situated on the Jaén-Almerí­a Old Road, most likely a continuation of the Augustus Road.

In the Middle Ages, it was described as a series of caves, small castles and very disperse farms that defended the entrance of Guadix against the expansion of Cazorla.

After the Christian re-conquest, it turned into a simple farm, which would be a part of the Zapata family entailed state, and then to the count of Alcudia.

In the 19th century after the disentailment of the landed states, Benalúa became an independent jurisdiction with good economic prospects based on the construction of an important sugar factory named Nuestra Señora del Carmen.