The present time of Canillas de Aceituno
The predominant economic sector is construction, employing the most workers, alongside agriculture which is characterised through smallholdings, with production of dried Grapes, Avocados and excellent Olives. There is a co-operative for processing Olive oil. Tourism is providing important growth, with rural lodgings supplying quality amenities and services. Restaurants offer an abundance of local dishes, in particular the roast “Canillas Goat”.
Canillas de Aceituno is located in the Natural Park of the Mountain Ranges of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama. At a height of 2.065 metres, the peak of Maroma is the highest in the province of Malaga, overlooking to the west, spectacular views of both coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. In the folds of the Maroma and other peaks one can find areas of great natural richness with a network of walkways going from Canillas de Aceituno into the Park. “El Saltillo” is a special walkway, mitigating the vertiginous fear of the rocky walls by means of catwalks, and a suspension bridge crossing the gorge towards Sedella, providing a unique experience. The value of the Park as a natural space is to be found in the rocky promontories and ravines, in the variety of flora and fauna, as well as the spectacular scenery which towers over the Axarquia region and the Malaga coastline.
In the urban area of Canillas de Aceituno, the layout of its streets and the arrangement of the houses lead immediately to thoughts of their moorish origin. The homogeneity and well preserved condition of the traditional architecture stand out, predominating the terraced houses with their red-tiled roofs. Canillas forms part of the “Mudejar Route” and, in some of the confusing streets we can find entrance arches such as those in Calle Agua and Calle Calleja. Outstanding are the Casa de los Diezmos or the Casa de la Reina Mora and the Casa Esgrafiada, lovingly decorated with moorish motifs and horse-shoe arches, the Aljibe Árabe, the church of Our Lady of the Rosary, dating from the sixteenth century, in which recent restoration has uncovered Moorish murals. and the remains of the Muslim castle, located in the square of the same name,
However, the real spectacle offered by the village is in the decoration of its streets, where flowers and hanging baskets occupy an important place, and may be considered intrinsic elements of its architecture.
Canillas de Aceituno is a garden with its streets adorned with lime and flowers. A white village set in the Natural Park of the mountain ranges of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, – under the folds of the Maroma –dominating from its height the entire landscape of Axarquia.
The magic of Canillas de Aceituno lives in its streets, with facades, balconies and railings garlanded with flowerpots, cared for by the inhabitants. You will find the magic in every corner, when you decide – without haste – to discover this ancient village. It is in the murmurs of the water, in the perfume of jasmine and honeysuckle which pervade everything, in the rarified atmosphere filling the soul with calm.
The magic of Canillas de Aceituno is to explore the mountain ranges on ancient paths where muleteers used to go when they brought ice from the Maroma peak, or traded with other villages in the Alhama area. Hiking in Canillas is a great experience.
Canillas de Aceituno is magic in its fiestas, mixing with the locals, while each year they carefully parade the Virgen de la Cabeza through the sinuous streets of the village. The taste, the magic taste of the mountains, of the roast “Canillas Goat”, in the Black Pudding fiesta, in everything which this unique village offers.
Canillas de Aceituno awaits you!
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