Located in the stunning Antequera region just 16 km from the city of Antequera itself and just 60km from Malaga is the beautiful whitewashed village of Mollina . The village sits in some of the most stunning landscapes with a mix of grain fields and olive groves along with some fine vineyards which spread right across the unbroken plains.

It is thought that the first settlers to the area were in the Neolithic period in caves in the La Camorra range which can be found just 6km from the present village location. Ceramic relics and a number of cave outline drawings are evidence of this. The Romans also had a profound effect on this area of Andalucia

The modern village dates from the 16^th Century with its urban plan been changed in the 17^th century and for a while the area around the village was known “Pago de las Olivas” (the plot where olives grow) due to the fact it was the area with the largest number of olive trees in the Antequera region

Such was the effect of this the San Cayetano parish church changed its name to Nuestra Señora de la Oliva (Our Lady of the Olive)

Modern Molina has had its fair share of turbulent times, the worst been in 1861when during a time of social unrest caused by the massive participation by residents of Mollina in a secret society called the Garibaldinos during the Loja Revolution a great number of people were killed or wounded. Then in the latter half of the 20^th century the village population went from slightly more than 5,000 in the census of 1956 to 2,800 two decades later due to emigration to the cities in search of work and a better life. However the situation turned around and with the change from olive-producing to a grape-producing the area has seen a new growth and now produces 80 percent of those with the designation “Denominación de Origen Málaga” (of Málaga origin).

The village has some interesting buildings but it is the Roman archaeological sites in the area which are of most interest including those at Castellum de Santillán, about four kilometres from the village where there is a site covering an area of 1,400 square metres where two different phases can be seen

The first is from the first and second centuries A. D., and is of a group of living quarters arranged around two large rectangular rooms which was a roman villa and the . The second is from the third century A. D. which was built over this first , with the idea of defending against possible attacks.

Seven kilometres from the village, on the slope of the Camorra Mountains is the Mausoleo de la Capuchina (Capuchina Mausoleum) which is a rectangular-based burial monument, Ceramic fragments of plates and kettles have been found adjacent to this site.

In the village is the eighteenth century La Ascensión convent. Its main façade is notable for a Baroque door, and the chapel is in the interior courtyard and the seventeenth century Nuestra Señora de la Oliva church, are both worth visiting

Some good times to visit are on 1 February for the Candelaria fiesta which has roots in the ritual of asking for protection from fires in granaries and haystacks, the area’s rural economic base. For this purpose, bonfires are built in several places and people sing and dance around them.

The second weekend of May sees the village celebrate the Virgen de la Oliva (Virgin of the Olive) pilgrimage at the Santillán natural area. The image is transported in a flower-decorated cart accompanied by a Rocío group, and the village streets are decorated for the occasion with flowers, garlands and flowerpots. The Virgin is transferred to the Santillán hermitage on Saturday afternoon, and there the most devout stay with the image through the night. On Sunday morning a Rocío mass is said, and on the next day there is a traditional verbena (street party) as a prelude to the fiesta in the country on the following day.

Held on the second weekend in September on the Plaza de Atenas sees the Feria de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Fair) is probably one of the most important celebrations in the village , where the different kinds of local wine are sampled. The fair by day and verbenas by night, horseback ring races, a poetry competition, wine tasting and other activities are held throughout this fiesta.

It truly is a stunning village and is well worth a visit

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle La Villa, 3 (29532). Telephone: 952 740 044; Fax: 952 740 338