This ethnographical museum reflects the professions and traditions that once characterised the village. Inside, visitors can view two recreated oil presses, a wine cellar, a bakery, a typical house and a number of works of art, to name but a few of the attractions on offer.

HISTORY

The historical-ethnographic museum of Mijas, which recreates traditional life, was inaugurated in 1995 and is located in the old town hall. Entering the museum is a walk in the ethnographic past the village. The visitor travels through the countryside and mountains smelling rosemary and thyme, learn about the secrets of the development of the lime which gives color and protection to homes, known the utility of the esparto grass as well as the qualities of honey, and the importance of the marble quarries used since Roman times. Visitors can also touch the agriculture tools and discover the perfection of ancient machines used for the production of wine and oil.

ORIGIN OF THE MUSEUM

The village of Mijas, of agricultural origin, undergoes significant changes during the sixties, due to the development of tourism in the Costa del Sol. These changes occur in all aspects of village life, but especially from the anthropological point of view, because the traditional lifestyles change, and farming and artisanal lose their protagonism in favor of other activities generated by the tourism sector, such as construction, landscape gardening and catering sector. Progressively and quickly traditionnal offices closely linked to the mountains and countryside were lost as a way of life. On the other hand, young citizens and politicians, aware of the historical and ethnographic value of the history of its own village, promote the creation of the House-Museum of the Villa in 1995, as a witness of the laboral past and the daily lives of earlier generations.

The museum has several rooms whose names are: countryside; sierra, oil mills, winery, bakery, carpentry, weaving, traditional cottage, and Manuel Cortes Quero room.

After the Civil War and Franco's victory, many Republican soldiers went into hiding to avoid prison or firing squad, who were called "moles". One was Manuel Cortes Quer, who hid it for 30 years in a secret room hidden behind a wardrobe.

Apart from these ethnographic rooms, the museum also has a projection room, an exhibition hall and a patio where summer concerts are held.