Canillas de Albaida, high up in the hills, was originally an Arab farmstead belonging to Vélez-Málaga and dates back to the 13th century. It was taken over by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487 following the reconquest of the area.
In 1569, the men of the village joined the rebellion in the Axarquia, as did so many of the neighbouring villages, but it all ended in tears at the Battle of El Peñon de Frigiliana. Following the defeat, the village, again like so many others in the area, was repopulated by settlers from the rest of Andalucía.
The village is typically Arab in design and layout, with narrow, windy streets, the narrowest of which, Callejón de Araceli, is only just wide enough for one person to walk along. At the top of the village (some of the side streets are almost vertical!) is the abandoned Ermita de Santa Ana, well worth the walk for the fabulous view.
Also, there is a local urban legend that a secret tunnel exists under the building, so secret that no-one has yet managed to find it. You never know your luck!
On the edge of Canillas de Albaida are several caves and grottos worthy of a visit, namely the Cueva de las Piletas, Cueva del Agua, Cueva del Melero and the Cueva del Conejo.
Statistics
Area: 34 square kilometres
Altitude: 660 mtrs above sea level
Population: +/- 1,000
Distance from Nerja: 26 km
Driving Time: +/- 45 mins
Location
Places of Interest
Ermita de San Antón
Ermita de Santa Ana
16th century Iglesia Paroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Expectación
Archaeological remains
Local Cuisine
Local specialities include: Ajoblanco (chilled garlic soup with almonds, bread, oil and vinegar), Gazpacho (chilled tomato, garlic and vegetable soup), Migas de Harina de maiz (Migas made with corn flour), Chacinas, Choto Frito, Gachas, Potaje de Hinojos and Calabaz Frita. Muscatel wine is the local tipple and is available in sweet, medium and dry. The sweet is very sweet.
Local Festivals
San Antón (January)
Dia de las Salves (February)
Semana Santa
Noche de San Juan (June 24th)
Corpus Christi (June)
Fiesta de Cante Flamenco (July)
Feria (August)
Dia de la Candelaria (September)
Virgen del Rosario (October)
Useful Info
Town Hall
Tel: 952 553 006
Fax: 952 553 100
Where to Stay
La Posada de la Plaza
Plaza Nuestra Señora del Rosario
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952554807
www.posada-laplaza.eu
[email protected]
Hotel Mirador de Canillas
Carril de Santa Ana 1
29718 Cútar
Tel:952553069
Fax: 952553084
[email protected]
Where to Eat
Antonio
Ctra de Competa
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952553069
Cerezo
calle Estación 5
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952553018
La Almijara
calle Estación 19
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952553020
La Posada de la Plaza
Plaza Nuestra Señora del Rosario
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952554807
www.posada-laplaza.eu
[email protected]
Los Chicos
Plaza Nuestra Señora del Rosario
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952553595
Miguel
Loma del Atajo
29755 Canillas de Albaida
Tel: 952557807