The extensive municipality of Cañete la Real derives its character from its frontier location between the region to which it belongs (Antequera) and that of Ronda.

Its terrain is therefore determined not only by the course of the River Guadalteba but more importantly by the outer edge of the Antequera plains, a slightly rolling country where cereal grains and olives are raised almost exclusively, and by the first elevations of the mountain ranges that introduce the Ronda region. In either case the landscape is broad and open, but not exempt from contrasts provided by the different colours of the crops and the wooded areas with their evergreen oaks, pines and low brush.
Although there are traces indicating the existence of prehistoric human settlement, the most reliable historical records about the origin of the village are from the Iberian era, when there was a settlement on a hill close to the urban centre of Cañete that the Phoenicians called Sabora due to the extensive fields of grain in the area (“Sabora” derives from “ebura”, meaning cereal grain).

The period of Roman domination is much better documented due to the innumerable archaeological sites in this municipality. Among other historical facts it is known that the town changed its location in the year 78 A. D. Its previous location on the Cerro de la Horca (Hill of the Gallows) was too far from the fields and was also very exposed to the winds. The Emperor Vespasian authorised the town’s move, and in appreciation its inhabitants minted coins in his honour (a good number of them have been found) and erected statues of him.
The Visigoths’ activities were confined to promoting the area’s agricultural development. King Witiza granted the municipality the title of “Royal”, which designation would later appear after the conquest of the village by Alfonso XI, who conferred the same dignity that Witiza had done years before.

 

 

The village’s name comes from the Arabic name Hins Qanit, which some historians understand to mean “castle of Qanit” while others believe it refers to the “caños” (springs) that still flow in some parts of the urban district. Throughout the fourteenth century the locality changed hands several times between the Muslims and the Christians. As a result of so many battles the fortress was practically destroyed, although it has been subjected to a careful restoration.

Outstandings Visits:
This municipality preserves one of the most interesting historical and artistic heritages in the region of Antequera. Within its boundaries are more than 200 archaeological sites and half a dozen buildings built between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. Outstanding among these is the San Sebastián parish church, which was erected in the fifteenth century and rebuilt in the eighteenth. Its interior is divided into three naves with barrel vaults and houses the “camarín” (small chapel) of the Virgen de los Cañosantos, patron saint of the village. On the exterior, next to the tower of face brick crowned by a ceramic roof, is the excellent baroque façade.
The seventeenth century San Francisco convent, with a cloister attached to the church, and the eighteenth century Sacramento convent make up part of the religious architectural legacy. As far as secular architecture is concerned, several buildings should be noted for their splendid façades from the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries The Hins Qanit fortress, or Castle as it is also called, is being restored, but in the urban district you can view the ruins of several defensive towers such as the Priego and Ortegical.

How to Get There:
The best route from the city of Málaga is to take the A-357 towards Campillos and to continue on the A-384 to Almargen, then take the A-476, which goes straight to Cañete la Real. If you leave from Ronda take the 376 and then connect with the A-357 to Campillos. If you leave from Antequera take the A-92 and change to the A-384 and likewise go to Campillos.

Interesting Facts:
Surface Area: 164.6 square kilometres
Population: about 2,000
What the natives are called: Cañeteros
Monuments: the San Sebastián church, the convents of San Francisco and Sacramento, and the Priego and Ortegical towers.
Geographical Location: in the south-eastern part of the Antequera region, adjoining that of Ronda. The village centre is 750 metres above sea level and 100 kilometres from the city of Málaga. The area records an average rainfall of 600 litres per square metre, and the average annual temperature is about 15.5º C.
Tourist Information: Town Hall, Telephone: 952 183 001. Escuela Taller (School Workshop), Calle Rafael Alberti, 13. Telephone: 952 184 304; Fax: 952 184 304