The main town, La Viñuela, known as “the oasis of the Axarquia”, began in the 16th century, as a small country restaurant, which still exists today in the main street of the town, which was once the Camino Real de Vêlez a Granada. The area immediately around the “Venta” (the restaurant), was known as the “viñuela” because of the small vineyard that was nearby. Slowly some buildings grew up around the restaurant and the town began to take shape.

Despite the fact that it is quite a new town in the Axarquia (dating back to the 18th century), the land around it was some of the first to be inhabited as is evidenced by the archaeological remains found in the area that was a natural corridor towards the northern lands, that date the early settlers back to the Middle Palaeolithic period and up to the Roman Era. The remains found in the bed of the river Guaro are probably the most remarkable of all those found and contain objects like small sun-dried brick refuges and some bronze smelting ovens from the Neolithic Period, up to the Roman Era and passing through the Bronze Age.

Some olive crushing mills and several jugs for the olive oil transportation have also been found. The Romans also left their mark on this place, known as the “place near the Pantano de la Viñuela”. Today, the area depends on agriculture a lot for its local economy just as their forefathers did.

The reservoir, that collects the waters of the River Guaro, is probably the most important thing that has happened to the town in its modern era. The decision to build it was discussed in 1890, but it was not until 1981 that work went ahead. Some 900 hectares of land was flooded along with several small hamlets like Herrera and the farmstead the Matagallar, albeit on receipt of a substantial profit. However, there were some of the people say that the money they received was not enough to compensate for their loss. It must be said the creation of the area led to the unifying of what had been up till then a series of individual hamlets and country estates like the Los Romanes, Las Casillas, Los Castillejos, Los Calderones, Ermita, Los Ventorros and the main town of the Viñuela. Futhermore, two districts are shared with Canillas de Aceituno: Los Millanes and Los Gómez.

A stroll through the town reveals a main avenue that arose out of the old road that was known as the Camino Real (Royal Highway) which on one part is called Velez Malaga and the other Granada. The “venta” was on the first leg of this Camino Real and is still open and has been remodelled. Further along visitors come across the La iglesia de San Josê (from the 16th century) and in front of this the Town Hall. The man street runs into the Arroyo Casado and into the leafy park which dates back to last century.

Up to today La Viñuela has lived off the produce of the vineyards and the olive oil crop most of which has been passed through the mill named the Los Romanes. However, of late tourism and the construction industry have gained importance as part of the local economic activity.