With an area of 8.32 km2, the Municipality of Arriate is located entirely in the natural depression of Ronda, near the tertiary accumulation basins that mark the entire intrabetic groove, a string of depressions that are located between the subbetic and the penibetic, This area of Ronda being the last one found in its western sector, its altitude does not exceed 500 meters. Its Municipal District houses the Arroyo de la Ventilla trail, being one of the most characteristic and outstanding places of the Geological and Natural Heritage of the Province of Malaga.

The first documentary evidence of the existence of Arriate dates back to 1570 in the Census of Philip II, although the origin of its name is Arabic: “Arriadh” (Los Vergeles).

In the year 1630, the Villa de Arriate was separated from the Municipal District of Ronda. In 1635 he rejoined Ronda again, on February 14, 1661 through the deed signed in Madrid before the notary of King Felipe IV, D. Gabriel Rodríguez de las Cuevas, when Arriate once again achieved his independence, paying three hundred and fifty for it. And two thousand seven hundred thirty-nine maravedíes.

Among its most important cultural and religious events is its Holy Week, declared a festival of cultural interest in Andalusia and of provincial tourist uniqueness, as well as its famous Fiesta en el Aire, its Pilgrimage, the day of Partir la Vieja or the Tostones.

Among the monuments of note in this town, we find the Church of San Juan de Letrán located in the Plaza de Juana Marín López, in which its Mudejar carpentry predominates (the work of Francisco Hernández and Andrés Valverde) and its bell tower, a reference key to the town’s “urban landscape” despite its recent construction (September 1961).