Discover Villanueva de Algaidas – Convento, Rock Chapel and Trails

The history of Villanueva de Algaidas begins at the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación. It was founded in 1566 by Don Pedro Téllez Girón, the first Duke of Osuna, and was the origin of the first settlement. Of the ruins of the Convento, the church has survived; its roof is missing.

Culture and history

The Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación is located next to La Atalaya and is connected to Villanueva de Algaidas by a path that can be walked. The path to the Convento forms part of the Mozarabic Route of the Camino de Santiago. Thus, the Convento brings together the history of the settlement's foundation, preserved church architecture and a historic stretch of route in one place.

The Puente del Arroyo del Bebedero is a late medieval bridge in the municipality of Villanueva de Algaidas. It has a central round arch and two smaller side arches that serve to drain floodwater. The bridge connected the settlements of La Rincona and La Atalaya. Its design and this connection to the two settlements give the structure an independent place in the local history.

Nature and trails

The gorge cut into the rock on which Villanueva de Algaidas stands preserves a remnant of the original vegetation thanks to its shaded conditions. The Mirador de la Atalaya is located in the hamlet of La Atalaya. From there, visitors can look out over the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación and the adjacent Mozarabic rock chapel. This places the landscape, viewpoint and historic buildings in a clearly recognizable sequence.

The Iglesia Rupestre is a small hermitage carved into sandstone, with three rooms and a smaller cave accessible from outside. The three rooms and the additional cave present rock architecture on a different scale from the Convento and the bridge.

The GR 249 Gran Senda de Málaga includes Stage 15 from Villanueva de Algaidas to Cuevas Bajas. A section of this stage runs along unpaved paths and offers a viewpoint over the Genil Valley. The stage from Villanueva de Algaidas to Cuevas Bajas is 9.92 km long. Its length and path conditions provide two different points of information for personal tour planning. The 9.92 kilometres give the stage a clear framework; the unpaved section and the viewpoint over the Genil Valley mark different aspects of the same connection.

When staying in a holiday apartment in Villanueva de Algaidas, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered side by side as different aspects of one's own choice. The decision about the stay remains tied to one's own dates and preferred type of accommodation.

Other places: Iznate, Pujerra, Frigiliana, Valdés, Cartaojal, Monda, Villanueva De Tapia, Parauta

Festivals and local cuisine

The Fiesta Gastronómica y Coplera "Relleno y Carnaval" normally takes place two weeks before Carnival. At this event, Relleno and Borrachuelos are sampled.

The Feria y Fiestas de Agosto takes place on the first weekend of August and normally includes the Noche Flamenca and the Feria del Caballo. The two festivals therefore have different focuses in the annual calendar: one combines gastronomy and singing with Carnival, while the other brings together flamenco and equestrian culture in August.

For the overarching travel overview: Málaga.