History

Its generic name comes from Latin and means "Port of Wolves", due to its strategic situation as a natural connection between Eastern Andalusia and Western Andalusia. Thanks to this geographic situation, since the dawn of mankind this natural pass has served as a vehicle of cultural expansion, as evidenced by the archaeological sites found in the area.

The Romans consolidated this itinerary with the construction of the road connecting Cordoba to Granada, via Ilurco (Cerro de los Infantes), and numerous towns emerged around it.

It acquired a special significance during the Muslim occupation when, again thanks to its strategic status as a pass between the Kingdom of Granada and the Crown of Castile, it became a free trade port.

During the French occupation in the 19th century, Puerto Lope was razed to the ground because of its resistance to the enemy. It was subsequently repopulated.