On the Sierra de Tejada and situated at an altitude of more than six hundred metres, Canillas de Aceituno is one of the best natural balconies in La Axarquía. With a population of 2.800 inhabitants and situated at 18 kilometres from Vélez- Málaga, an important Moorish legacy is patented in its intricate streets.
Canillas is surrounded by a belt of trees which configured a splendid forest. The mountaineering, hill walking and mountain- bike enthusiasts have before them various routes leading them to places of unrepeated beauty in the heart of the sierra. Besides, in their surroundings there is an abundance of natural caves, excelling amongst them the one of Fájara, at four kilometres from the town and in whose interior we can encounter deep galleries.
It is not until 1569, conclusive date in the Moorish Rebellions, when its town centre is mentioned for the first time as belonging, in those days, to “El Señorío del Marqués de Comares”.
As interesting visits, it is worth calling at the Church of “Ntra. Señora del Rosario”, which hails from the Sixteenth Century, and “La Casa de los Diezmos”, of Mudejar architecture and from where the production and sale of the mulberry leaves and the silkworms was controlled.
Its festivities start with the February “Carnaval” and continue with “El Día de la Morcilla”, celebrated on the last Sunday in April. “La Romería de San Isidro”, around the 15th of May, the feast in honour of its Patron, “La Virgen de la Cabeza” and “Las Candelarias” on the 7th and 8th of September, complete its festive calendar.
The lovers of good cuisine should nit miss out on the cold vegetable soup with moscatel grape, the cold garlic and almond soup, “las gachas de mosto” or “las migas”, apart from the more filling dishes like fennel stew, the succulent “olla” and goat done on a wood- fired oven.