Villanueva de Tapia

What to See in Villanueva de Tapia

The archiecture and urban layout of Villanueva de Tapia reflect the customary characteristics of villages in this area of Málaga. A few eighteenth-century façades and other unusual construction stand out in the village’s historic district, helping make a visit to this village very interesting to a traveller.

The Chapel of Virgen de Gracia, in the park of the same name, follows the traditional canons of popular architecture. In its interior is preserved a painting of the Virgen de Gracia (Virgin of Grace) that is of some artistic merit.

The San Pedro Apóstol parish church, built in the early seventeenth century, was extensively modified in the eighteenth century and even more so in the late nineteenth century, when its façade was rebuilt. Its interior has two naves and is notable, architecturally speaking, for the wooden roofs and the choir room. The church also contains several sculptures of great artistic interest, such as the Immaculate Conception from the seventeenth century and the images of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (Our Father Jesus of Nazareth) and of the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), both from the eighteenth century and both very venerated by the Tapienses.

The church archives, which are considered to be among the most complete in the province, deserve special mention. They preserve registrations and baptismal and marriage books from since 1626, besides other kinds of Episcopal documents, censuses and testaments.

In his tour of the village streets, the traveller may view the former San Bárbara inn, also known as Casa de la Cantina, which is one of this town’s oldest buildings; the early-eighteenth-century Los Allalantes fountain that was restored not long ago, and the San Antonio laundry shed. The last-named site is one of the few constructions of this type that has been preserved in this part of Málaga and is of greater anthropological than architectural value.

Villanueva de Tapia’s Fiestas and Gastronomy

The La Candelaria fiesta in honour of the Virgin of the same name is celebrated on the night of 1 February. The residents light bonfires in different places in the village and form circles around the fire and sing ancient traditional tunes. During the Carnival in late February the women, besides wearing the traditional disguises, form circles and throw pitchers or jugs back and forth until one of them drops the receptacle on the ground.

It is traditional to spend 25 April, the day of San Marcos, in the country, where people eat roscos de carete (a kind of spiral pastry) and pavita de San Marcos, a kind of hornazo (a pastry containing a boiled egg that is typical of this day and this village). From 12 to 14 June the Feria de San Antonio (San Antonio fair, also known as the Feria Chica, or Little Fair) is celebrated, as it has been since 1934.

The Festival Internacional de Cante de Poetas (International Poets’ Recital Festival, in July) is one of the most distinctive events in this town. It consists of singing or reciting verses known as "coplas" –some of which are of such a high quality that they could be classified as poems– in an offhand and improvised manner. This ancient tradition, whose origin is to be found in the Middle Ages, has taken on new life in recent years. At the present time with the founding of this international competition it is an attraction for the best local troubadours and those from such countries as Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Panama and even some in Europe. The festival is held on the third weekend of July; alongside shows, it includes lectures and talks, analysing the art of improvisation and encouraging the continuation of oral traditions among young people.

The Semana Cultural (Cultural Week) is held during the second week of August and brings together theatrical presentations, verbenas, concerts and sports activities. It is customary on the last day to prepare an Andalusian breakfast from traditional local products.

The Real Feria de Ganado (Royal Livestock Fair) is another of this village’s primary celebrations. It takes place from 10 to 12 October and has been held since 1869. Recently, it was declared a Fiesta of Provincial Tourist Interest. Since it is the season’s last fair of this type buyers and sellers are anxious to close deals and many of them will be formalised in the ancient manner, that is to say with a simple handshake. In addition to this fair there is that of the Razas Caprinas Andaluzas (Andalusian Goat Breeds) and, of course, the sampling of indigenous products, especially chivo lechal (a kid dish). During the fair, there is a Suckling Kid Cooking Competition, where participants prepare dishes whose main ingredient is kid. The competition draws invididuals, restaurants, and Málaga-based cooking schools. The Cattle Fair comprises and Agrifood Fair and a Hunting Fair as well.

The Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins on Holy Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. During those days several brotherhoods parade their sacred images through the village streets, amid the fervour of the residents. The most outstanding part of Holy Week, however, is the presentation of El Paso (a kind of Passion Play). Passages from the Old and New Testaments are presented with the villagers as amateur actors, and an unusual feature is that the ancient Castilian texts are spoken in verse form.

In early August, Villanueva de Tapia holds Salmorejo Day –a tribute to this traditional dish through a cookout at the church square. 250 kilos of salmorejo are served, with 2,000 kilos of roast chorizo. There is music and dance, too.

Villanueva de Tapia’s Gastronomy

This area’s rich gastronomic tradition is also abundantly represented in the kitchens of Villanueva de Tapia. Among the most characteristic dishes are ajoblanco and gazpacho (cold soups), guisillo de la Virgen (a type of stew), guiso de habas or "sobrehusa" (a stew containing broad beans), naranjas en aceite (Oranges in olive oil), papuecas con miel or papuecas con bacalao (a kind of fritter with honey or codfish, respectively), pimientos rellenos (stuffed peppers), piñonate (a sweet made from pine nuts), the classic porra Antequerana (a cold soup) and puchero (a kind of stew). As for confectionery, mention should be made of bollos de aceite (muffins made with olive oil), roscos de carete (a king of spiral pastry) and bollos de manteca (muffins made with lard).

More Information About Villanueva de Tapia

Hiking and Walking in Villanueva de Tapia

Due to its mild relief, Villanueva de Tapia boasts a wide array of hiking trails that can be negotiated by the whole family.

Route of Olive Groves:

Route of Cattle:

La Pontanilla:

Route to Sierra del Pedroso:

Route to Villanueva del Trabuco and Salinas.

Other interesting sights to get to in hiking tours are the springs of La Alameda, El Borbollón, and La Matea.

With it higher point being 1,024 metres above sea level, it affords views of gall oaks, dwarf evergreen oaks, and cork oaks, foxes, wild boars, partridges, and rabbits. It takes hikers to the border point between Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada. It links three roads that used to be main roads in the past, used by cattle breeders to get to Villanueva de Tapia in times of the Cattle Fair. It connects Villanueva de Tapia with the neighbouring villages of Villanueva de Algaidas, Cuevas Bajas, and Cuevas de San Marcos. It can also be done on a mountain bike.