There are several versions as to the origin of the name of the village of Mollina. One says that it comes from "Torre Molina" and the other hints that it is from the Latin term "mollis", which means "Soft and light drizzle”.

Regarding the origins of this village, the archaeological remains found in the area indicate that there were settlements here during the Neolithic period in the Sierra de la Camorra. However, the majority of the remains date back to the Roman Era such is the case of the Mausoleo de la Capuchina, several oil mills and the Castellum de Santillán, which was a country estate situated next to a walled fortress. In any case, the present day village has its roots in the 16th century.

Since then, the clearing and cultivation efforts resulted that, in less than 100 years, Mollina was the municipal area of Antequera with the largest number of olive trees, to the point that changed the name of the parish of Our San Cayetano to the one of Señora de la Oliva. And it was in the early nineteenth century when it gained independence from city of Antequera.

 In the second half of the twentieth century Mollina suffered a massive depopulation due to emigration to industrialized areas of Europe and Spain. But mollinatos, long-term migrants, spent their savings to acquire land that was, basically, from Antequera owners. This began to raise the standard of living of the whole area.

 The industrial sector in Mollina is important, counting with relevant companies which are engaged in the manufacture of mattresses and cellulose. Another important asset for the town is the so-called Center for Eurolatinamerican Youth or Centro Eurolatinoamericano de Juventud, which provides international renown to Mollina. The Center, sponsored by 14 European and American countries, is the only one existing in Europe, and will have a future replica in Chile. These facilities are located on a plot of 100,000 square meters and were inaugurated in 1991. The aim of this Center is to be a place for meetings, training and exchanges between young people of the two continents, expanded now with the possibility to be use by Non Governmental Organizations.

Regarding to agriculture, the cultivation of olive trees and vineyards excelled. Concerning the wine, the Mollina cooperative has managed to generate 80 percent of the wines of Malaga, accredited by the appellation of origin in their sweet and dry versions, produced and bottled under the brand name "Land of Mollina".