The aim of this initiative, financed by the Competitiveness Tourism Plan of Sierra Norte de Malaga, is to present the ethnographic heritage linked to water, its relationship with the population and...
Stroll amongst ancient stone, enjoy the greenery of the olive groves and the brilliant white of the farmhouses, or go for a bike ride in the country; these are just some of the options waiting for you in Villanueva de Algaidas. This district, in the northwest of the Malaga region, Nororma, offers multiple options for combining activities, flavours and experiences as you wish.
Villanueva de Algaidas has a complex of tombs, almost 3500 years old, the los Alcaides Necropolis. The archaeological remains are evidence of the presence of man in the area since the Copper Age. Two 9th century cave chapels move us forward through the centuries until 1566, date on which the Franciscan convent was founded, marking the birth of what is today known as Villanueva de Algaidas.
VILLANUEVA DE ALGAIDAS IS NOT TO BE MISSED
MONUMENTS
The first stone in Villanueva de Algaidas, and our recommendation on this tour, is the Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación. The Franciscan convent was founded by the first Duke of Osuna. Only the church remains of the original building. The most interesting elements of the building include the dome, the chapels and the frescoes. Wandering among the ruined convent is a magical experience that will take you back 500 years.
Two Mozarabic chapels lie very close to the ruins of the convent and will transport you even further back in time. They are formed from two caves carved out of the rock, which were used by the Mozarabic population who remained in the Moslem territory to celebrate their rites. The chamber that would have contained the high altar can still be distinguished in the larger of the two hermitages.
Our historical journey around Villanueva de Algaidas takes us back even further into the past to Prehistoric times. The los Alcaldes Necropolis lies 3 kilometres from the present town and features signs of human settlements from more than 3500 years ago. On the Cerro de la Villeta there is a workshop from the Copper Age, the Yacimiento de la Villeta.
The next stop is in the Middle Ages to enjoy the sight of the Arroyo del Bebedero Bridge. This stone bridge was built in the late Middle Ages to link the two towns separated by the stream, la Rincona and de la Atalaya. It is built on thick pillars made of locally sourced earth and has one central semicircular arch and another two on the sides.
In addition to the two Mozarabic chapels, Villanueva de Algaidas has a further three rural hermitages. The oldest is Nuestra Señora del Socorro, from the 18th century which has two sections at two different heights. As its name indicates, this church is dedicated to the figure of the Virgen del Socorro. The other two hermitages are from the 20th century. The María Inmaculada hermitage is in the Albaicin quarter and Nuestra Señora de Fátima hermitage is in Atalaya.
Image Image The bridge over the Bebedero stream from the late-medieval period is located within the municipality of Villanueva de Algaidas. Known as Puente Viejo or Puente del Atalaya, it was used to connect...
This route starts in Villanueva de Algaidas and matches the long-distance Great Málaga Path (GR-249) and long-distance European Path 7, stage 4 (GR-7, E-4). You will exit the village by a cemetery...
Towards the country houses of Zamarra, Parrilla & Blanquilla (Up to km 10.8) After the 2.7 km the track share with Stage 14 of the Great Malaga Path’s original route, you come to a fork at the...
Image The origins of Villanueva de Algaidas date back to the late 18th century, when the Duke of Osuna, then the owner of the area, granted permission for the construction of the Convento de Recoletos de...
Image The village of the Atalaya appeared as a result of the founding of a Franciscan monastery next to the stream of the Burriana stream (now almost completely destroyed). In the surroundings of this...