Villanueva del Rosario is located in a convenient area that is forty kilometres north of Malaga, thirty kilometres east of Antequera, and ninety kilometres from Granada. This perfect location provides visitors with easy accessibility by plane, train, bus, and rental car.

 

Located in the shadows of the Jobo and Camarolos Sierras, the vistas of Villanueva del Rosario offer amazing panoramic displays of high limestone crests and green forests with the clusters of white houses and vast olive grows in the valley. The picturesque village is becoming a popular area for vacation homes.

Archaeological discoveries have established the existence of man in the area throughout the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Ages. The majority of the findings are from the time of the Ancient Romances. There is also evidence that the Visigoths also settled in the area.

 

Keeping this in mind, however, the town of Villanueva del Rosario was not officially setting until the 18th century. A small village, Puebla del Saucedo, was formed as part of Archidona. In the 1800s, Villanueva gained independence from Archidona and was finally able to experience urban and industrial growth.

 

Today, the population of Villanueva del Rosario stands at over 3,000 people.

Many area residents are skilled craftsmen and women. Shoppers who come to the area will find the selection of ceramics, tapestries, leather goods, wood products, and hand woven carpets to be amazing. There are local markets where visitors can view and purchase these products for a reasonable price.

 

As the area was originally home to some Romans and Visigoths, some ancient buildings are now in a state of ruin. Tourists can see the remains of these historic sites, but they are not established tourist sites. Just out of town is Finca del Tardon, an archaeological site where many artifacts have been unearthed. The other key archaeological site is called Penon del Oso and can be found in the mountains.

 

Villanueva del Rosario offers some incredible rows of white housing. Strolling through the streets will lead visitors to many small boutiques and bakeries, as well as offering views into the construction used in white houses.

 

There is far more to do if you enjoy hiking and bird watching. The mountains surrounding Villanueva del Rosario are filled with wildlife and local fauna. You can hike along the trails and take in the impressive scenery. Take time out to visit some of the area’s caves. Llano del Hondonera is a natural area at the foot of the mountains that is covered in hiking trails, access to the area streams and waterfalls, and views of the vast olive groves.

 

There are few historic sites in Villanueva del Rosario. Two are of importance to tourists. The Visigoth Burial Grounds are located in the hills. Robbers have destroyed many of them throughout the centuries, but they are still worth seeing. The Hermitage is also of importance. This historic church is dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario.

 

If you happen to be in Villanueva del Rosario in October, a celebration in honour of Virgen del Rosario is held. The festival includes musical performances, dancing, bullfighting, and parades.

 

During the hot summer months, the town has a municipal pool that anyone can use. The pool neighbours a restaurant/bar and numerous gardens. The pool opens in June and closes in September.

Beyond the obvious craft industry, Villanueva del Rosario residents produce ample amounts of olive oil every year. The olives are harvested from the area’s olive groves and pressed for their delicious, heart-healthy oil.

 

Agriculture is a mainstay in the economy of Villanueva del Rosario. Wheat is grown in many area fields and ground into some of the country’s best flour.

Wild game offers some of the area’s most prolific meat products. Rabbit, partridge, and wild boar are common. Typically, residents of Villanueva del Rosario stew these meats with garlic, wine, and fresh produce and serve the resulting stew over bowls of steaming ride.

 

Other traditional dishes include a thick version of tomato, garlic, and pepper soup (Gazpacho), homemade sausage pan fried with cubes of bread and garlic (Migas), and even steamed asparagus that is drizzled with olive oil.

 

For dessert, a cake made from almond flour, butter, and eggs is typical. Sponge cakes are also enjoyed in many homes.

 

If you want to experience the best of the local cuisine, head to Villanueva del Rosario in August. During the first portion of the month, the town holds a massive celebration of the harvest. It is in this two-week period that townspeople celebrate their meat and produce crops that have been harvested during the spring and summer.

Villanueva del Rosario has a number of tapas bars and restaurants where guests can linger for a meal and drinks. Bar Los Alonsos serves cold beer, succulent wines, and incredible tapas. If you desire more activity than this, Antequera is a reasonable drive from the village.

While Villanueva del Rosario may not offer as many historic sites as other communities, it does offer a quiet way of life that appeals to many foreigners. The shopping and cuisine is excellent. Hiking is invigorating. Everyone will find activities to their liking.