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Remains of the stone church

The municipality of Villanueva de Algaidas is in the far northeast of the province of Malaga, not far from the boundary with Cordoba. To get there take the Las Pedrizas road going north from the city of Malaga. The turning to Villanueva de Algaidas follows a winding country road that will take you right into the heart of the village, along the main street. The municipality, situated 540 metres above sea level, between Cuevas de San Marco and Villanueva de Tapia, is very rocky towards the borders, being flanked on the southern side by the Sierra de Arcas and the last foothills of the Sierra de Pedroso, which reaches over 1,000 metres in height, in the east. One of the great sources of pride for the village is the fact that an internationally renowned sculptor, Berrocal, who now lives in Verona in Italy, was born here. The Friends of Berrocal Foundation is currently in charge of looking after the works by the artist that are on show in the village. This permanent display of Berrocal’s works is just the beginning of what will one day be the Berrocal Museum proper. The origin of this village is relatively recent, dating as it does from the nineteenth century, although remains from pre-historic times found in the Caves of El Pedroso tell us that the area was populated a very long time ago.
The village is currently recovering from the years of high emigration, in the 1970s, and the number of small companies setting up for business is growing. The urban centre of the town was built at the end of the 18^th century. The Duke of Osuna, the owner of the land at that time, granted permission for the Monastery of the Enclosed Order of St Francis of Assisi to be built on the banks of the River Burriana. This led to the tenant farmers setting up home around the monastery, known as La Rincona, and then building a town hall to administer the widespread population. This area, where the architecture is characteristically mountain-style, is currently called La Atalaya. The settlement then began to grow and divide into different quarters such as Zamarra, Albaicín and Parrilla, which, once united, after the segregation of Archidona on August 26th 1843, led to the formation of Algaidas Town Hall. In those days the esparto grass, cane and wickerwork industry was thriving but these crafts have nowadays practically disappeared, although there are still a few families keeping the tradition alive on a small scale in their own homes. The same decline has not applied to pig slaughter, which is carried out in the traditional manner around November 30th, the feast of St Andrew.
The appearance of Villanueva de Algaidas is typical of white villages throughout the region, with narrow streets that are cool in summer, low houses with large entrances and whitewashed walls. The district of Albaicín is one of the most charming spots in the whole municipality, currently being promoted for rural tourism. The landscape is dominated by olive groves, from which a magnificent oil is made, while small cornfields surround the typically Andalusian farmhouses. The area around the village is marked by gentle slopes and hills. It is only on the borders of the municipality that the land becomes more rugged, in the Sierra de Arcas, which rises up to a height of 948 metres, and the Sierra de Pedroso. In these mountainous areas and the uncultivated foothills the vegetation consists of old holm oak trees and scrub.

Places to be visited

The Berrocal Exhibition This is one of the places that attracts most visitors to Villanueva de Algaidas. The exhibition is a mere example of what the new Berrocal Museum, to become one of Spain’s most important contemporary art museums, will house. Here we can see some of the best works of this internationally famous sculptor. Olive oil production Lovers of the Mediterranean cuisine and natural products will want to visit one of the olive oil mills where the whole process of extraction will be explained. Stone church This ancient church, just a kilometre from the town, is made of two sections that are not directly linked. The entrances to both are especially interesting. Albaicín Barriio This is a good place for rural tourism, its quiet streets and beautiful surroundings making for an ideal weekend break. Burial grounds of Los Alcaides These burial grounds are especially interesting to those who might wish to see something of our pre-historic past. Also of interest in this area are the Sierra de Arcas and El Pedroso caves. Miguel Berrocal Museum. Association "Amigos de Berrocal". C/Granada, 20. Tel: 952 743 131. Visits by prior appointment.

Where to eat

Hostal-Restaurante-Mesón Las Pistolas. Specialising in kid, porra and Andalusian Gazpacho. C/Archidona, 75. Tel: 952 743 308. Café-Bar Beatas. Specialising in prawn kebabs, swordfish, pulpo a la gallega (Galician style octopus) and liqueurs. Constitución, 57. Tel: 952 743 458. Villanueva de Algaidas.

Where to sleep

Hostal Algaidas. C/Archidona, 75. Tel: 952 74 33 08. Cortijo "El Marqués". Carril Sierra arcas. Tel: 952 84 53 90. Cortijo Pantoja. Ctra. de Algaidas-Tapia Km.7. Tel: 952 74 41 03. Cortijo El Censo. Bda. Albaicín Tel: 952 74 40 29. Rural Accommodation in the province of Malaga (in Spanish)

Interior of the House-Museum Berrocal

FIESTAS
The first big night of the year on the festive calendar is the Candelaria Festival (Candlemas), on February 1st, followed by the carnival. On St Mark’s Day, April 25th, meals are organised in the countryside, while a romeria marks the feast of St Isidore, the farm servant. The main fair is held in August but in September there is a most unusual fiesta, "the poets’ fight", in the district of Parilla, celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Succour. This curious festivity consists of local poets singing their verses in conversation with each other, their reciting growing louder and louder until many of them end up embroiled in heated arguments.

GASTRONOMY
Among the dishes that are most typical of this village are, as elsewhere locally, a variation of porra antequerana, a sort of thick gazpacho, and porra crúa. Carnival stuffings, made with breadcrumbs, egg, ham, loin of pork and turkey are also popular. The pastries made here are also exceptionally good, many of them made especially for certain festivals. Breakfast in the town would consist of orange juice, coffee and locally baked bread with olive oil, all natural products of the soil.

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