The territory of Villanueva del Trabuco covers the easternmost part of the Antequera region and thus adjoins the province of Granada and the La Axarquía region. It sits at the foot of the Gorda and San Jorge mountain ranges, where its highest elevations are found. Its terrain, apart from the aforementioned mountains, is characterised by gentle relief and is mainly covered by olive groves and grain fields.

Streams come down from the mountains to form the River Guadalhorce. This river is generally considered to begin, if one must assign a precise point, at the Fuente de los Caños (Fountain of the Spouts). A number of streams are fed by the many springs at the foot of the mountains, and they are rarely without water even at the height of summer. This municipality’s subsoil is rich in water, whose effects can be observed in the abundance of chopos (black poplars) and other poplars and ash trees that generally grow near watercourses.
Just as in the neighbouring municipality of Villanueva del Rosario, there were human settlements here from since the Prehistoric period, and this area was later populated more or less massively during the Roman and Visigothic eras. The known history of this place halts at the latter era and there is no evidence of new settlements until the eighteenth century when they were motivated by the interest of Carlos III in repopulating these lands, which are very suitable for certain crops but which in those times were practically virgin soil.

Due to the lack of human presence in this territory for so many centuries it became overrun with predators and the residents of the nearest locality, Archidona, were therefore reluctant to work in it. There was the added problem that the inhabited areas were quite distant from these lands whose agricultural potential had not been demonstrated.
The ministers Campomanes and Olaride reported the situation in this place to Carlos III and the king decided to use foreign colonists to carry out the settlement since the natives refused to work in this area. Thus, some 6,000 Flemish and German colonists-Catholics, of course-arrived in Andalusia to establish permanent residence in, among other places, those in the province of Málaga that now bear the name of Villanueva.
It should be noted, however, that a document from 1620 that is kept in the Municipal Archives of Archidona takes note of a place called Trabuco, a grazing area of about 300 “fanegas” (an ancient measure of land). Villanueva del Trabuco would become separate from Archidona in 1808.

 

 

 

Outstandings Visits:
The village has two districts that are very distinct from one another due to the difference in the topographic relief of their locations. The more level and commercialised one opens up from the Plaza del Prado, the nerve centre of the village. This district contrasts with the narrow, zig-zagging and steep streets behind El Prado, which are typical of a mountain village in Málaga.
The Nuestra Señora de los Dolores parish church is the most important structure in Villanueva del Trabuco. This church was built at the order the Duke of Osuna in the late eighteenth century and restored in the middle of the last century. It is noteworthy structurally for its bell tower over the door of the main façade. The construction as a whole displays very well-balanced architectural lines.
The Virgen del Puente hermitage, between the Plaza del Prado and the bridge over the River Guadalhorce, is as small as it is austere. It houses the image of the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), toward whom the Trabuqueños feel special devotion.
The Fuente de los Cien Caños (Fountain of the Hundred Spouts), the point where the River Guadalhorce begins, is a few kilometres from the village. This strong spring is the core of a recreational area where villagers and visitors can spend enjoyable outings in the country.

 

 

 

How to Get There:
The route starts from the city of Málaga, which can be reached from any point on the Costa del Sol by way of the Mediterranean Expressway (A-7; N-340). In Málaga, take the A-45 (N-331) expressway towards Antequera-Granada, and when you get to Puerto de las Pedrizas take the right lane towards Granada -the left lane at this point leads to Antequera- and get onto the A-359. The sign for the first turning for Villanueva del Rosario-Villanueva del Trabuco will appear after about three kilometres. There is another turning for these two villages four kilometres past the first one. If you continue on the A-359 towards Granada, there will be two more very well marked access routes for Villanueva del Trabuco before you get to Estación de Salinas. The first of these is by the A-6202 and the second is by the A-6119.

 

Interesting Facts:
Surface Area: 60 square kilometres
Population: about 5,000
What the natives are called: Trabuqueños
Monuments: the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores church, Virgen del Puente hermitage, Fuente de los Caños (Los Caños fountain)
Geographical Location: in the south-eastern part of the Antequera region. This municipality forms a part of Nororma (acronym in Spanish for Northeast Málaga), a sub-region that encompasses several municipalities in the north-eastern part of the province of Málaga. The village is 690 metres above sea level and is 45 kilometres from Málaga and 34 from Antequera. The average precipitation in the area is 800 litres per square metre and the average temperature is about 14º
Tourist Information: Town Hall, Plaza del Prado, 1 (29313). Telephone: 952 751 021; Fax: 952 751 969