Colmenar Between Sacred Architecture, Mountain Landscapes and Fiesta

Colmenar can be understood particularly clearly through its sacred buildings. The Iglesia parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was completed in 1658. Its interior has three aisles separated by pillars; the tower still displays a certain Mudéjar character. This building alone brings together a clearly dated origin, a distinctive spatial layout and a visible architectural influence.

Culture and History

The history of sacred architecture also includes the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, which dates from the early 17th century. The patron saint of Colmenar is venerated there. The chapel consists of a single-nave church with a presbytery and camarín.

The camarín of the Ermita is a work from 1719 with a hemispherical dome and lavish Baroque decoration. In 1996, the Ermita was entered for declaration as a monument. The three aisles of the parish church and the single-nave space of the Ermita thus demonstrate two different solutions for organising sacred space.

Another perspective is offered by the Museo de Historia y Tradiciones de Colmenar y los Montes de Málaga. It is dedicated to interpreting and acknowledging the agricultural architecture of the mountains of Málaga from the 16th to the 19th century, including the mountain wine presses known as lagares de montaña. Alongside sacred architecture, this places an agricultural architectural heritage at the centre of attention.

Landscape

The landscape around Colmenar includes rocky mountains to the north and south. To the east and west, it includes olive groves and grain fields. This spatial arrangement creates different emphases: rocky mountains contrast with olive groves and grain fields, while the Sierra de Camarolos is identified as a distinct landscape area. This makes it possible to consider the natural and cultural aspects of the town separately. The directions and landscape forms therefore create a differentiated image of the town. The Sierra de Camarolos is considered one of the most scenically appealing areas of Colmenar. Thus, rocky mountain landscapes meet agriculturally shaped areas in Colmenar; as a result, the natural environment and the town’s history form clearly distinguishable focal points.

Festivals and Flavours

At the Fiesta del Mosto y la Chacina, exhibitors offered cured meats, cheese, wine, extra virgin olive oil, bread and confectionery for sale. The fiesta also includes a tapas route through the bars in Colmenar’s town centre. The fiesta therefore combines the regional products on offer with a gastronomic festival format in the town centre.

Holiday Apartment and Character of the Town

When choosing a holiday apartment in Colmenar, the respective listing pages focus primarily on travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. These three details provide an objective basis for choosing accommodation, while travel planning can be organised around the town’s different themes of sacred architecture, landscape and festival tradition. This makes it possible to consider cultural, scenic and culinary interests separately.

Further Destinations

You can also consider Valle De Abdalajís, Álora, Romo Cuevas, Pizarra, Cartaojal, El Mopagán, Los Puertas and Bermejo as further destinations.

Getting Around

Bus route M-251 operates along the Málaga–Casabermeja–Colmenar–Riogordo route.

For the higher-level travel overview: Málaga.