Frigiliana is located in Andalucia in Southern Spain, 70 km from Malaga and 5 km from Nerja. It is located on the slopes of Sierra Almijara and offers one of the most spectacular and beautiful panoramic views of the Costa del Sol. It is a picture postcard white village and is listed as one of the 10 most beautiful villages in Spain.

Frigiliana’s origin dates back to Roman times, but it was during the Arab period when it acquired its character.

Frigiliana is distinctively Moorish in appearance, with the old quarter made up of amazing narrow, winding, patterned pebbled street streets full of tapas, bars, restaurants and small shops. It is well worth exploring and it is this area that I concentrated on when taking the photographs.

Film photo details

I took all the photos on this page using a Mamiya 645M 1000S camera with Ilford FP4 film. Developer: Rodinal, 1+50, for 14 minutes @20C.

Click on any photo to see a larger version.

A black-and-white photo of the white houses of Frigiliana on a hillside.
The white houses of Frigiliana on a hillside.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of the white houses of Frigiliana on a hillside.
The pedestrianised street leading up to the tourist information office and the old town.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a stepped alley between terraced white houses. The footpath is finished with a pretty patterned pebble finish.
The route we are following is the recommended route by the Tourist Information Office. Free maps are available from the office.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo A black-and-white photo of a stepped alley between terraced white houses. The footpath is finished with a pretty patterned pebble finish.
An amazing patterned pebbled street in Frigiliana. These are the norm in the old part of the town.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a solitary tourist wandering along the patterned pebble narrow streets amongst the white houses.
A solitary tourist wanders around the pretty streets.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 11, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a narrow alley with a patterned pebble finish. White houses are on both sides, with steep steps reading up to the houses on the right.
Narrow alleys and steps. A common theme in this village.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a narrow alley with terraced white houses on the right. A path leads to the front entrance of a house on the left.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a narrow alley with terraced white houses on both sides. There are several potted plants in the alley. A path leads to the front entrance of a house on the right.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a narrow pebbled street going steeply downhill, disappearing from view. White houses on both sides. Numerous potted plants are in the street in front of the houses.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of terraced white houses by the side of a steep alley. There are several large pot plants in front of the houses. The patterned pebble alley changes to steps in the distance.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a pretty pebble-patterned narrow street with pretty white terraced houses. A sun screen is stretched across the street for shade.
Welcome shade.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a pebble-patterned street with white terraced houseson both sides with potted plants in front. The first two pots on the LHS contain cactus plants.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a pretty pebbled side street which splits into two levels. There is a jungle of potted plants in the foreground on the RHS. Juliette balconies with contrasting black railings are on the first floor.
Probably the prettiest street in town.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of steep steps meandering up between terraced white houses
Going up... and still, they find places for potted plants.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/60 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a small courtyard with loads of large potted plants and two stacked chairs near an open front door.
A small courtyard hidden amongst the maze of narrow streets and alleys.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a donkey and its owner by a fuente.
They say you can lead a donkey to water, but you can't make it drink...
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a pebbled split-level narrow street with terraced white houses. A small group of tourists are in the lower street.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua. In front of the church is a town square.
Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a stepped alley between white houses.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a small shop with a display of fruit and vegetables in the street.
A small shop.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a small courtyard with loads of potted plants and a large urn.
A pretty small courtyard in the maze of narrow streets and alleys.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a small courtyard with one corner crammed full of potted plants. A large urn stands by the front door.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a courtyard. There is a huge old arched wooden door with a smaller wicket gate, which is ajar. Further doors of various sizes are on either side.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a stepped alley between white houses.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of a stepped ally. Potted plants on both sides with white houses on the RHS and a white wall on the left.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black-and-white photo of steep stone steps leading up to an old wooden front door. Potted plants on both sides.
Steep stone steps leading up to an old wooden front door.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location