History

Its origins are to be found in Barrancos, Peñones, Jaral, Ramos and Colmenar farms (the latter giving the village its name, an allusion to its abundant beehives or colmenas), which belonged to Hamet El Suque before being purchased by the Mayor of Comares on behalf of the Catholic Monarchs in 1488.
During the reign of Philip II, it was sold to Gabriel de Cohalla, to cover the costs of a military expedition.
In 1558, it appears in documentation as Colmenar Manor, and, in 1611, as the property of the first Viscount of Colmenar.
In 1777, it gained independent municipality status.
At the beginning of the 19th century, it was the administrative headquarters of a district comprising the Axarquia villages of Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Almachar, El Borge, Cutar, Periana and Riogordo, as well as Casabermeja.