Campillos

The municipality of Campillos is situated in the western area of the Antequera region. Most of the low-lying land has been planted with olive trees and cereals, while the higher regions are scrubland and low mountains. There are some lakes around Campillos, and despite being dry for the greater part of the year, they have been declared Reserva Natural by the Environment Agency of the Junta de Andalucía. The most important of these lakes are the Dulce, the Salada, the Redonda, the Capacete, the Marcela, the Cerrero and the Camuñas. The urban centre consists of old houses and modern buildings of recent construction. Among the outstanding buildings in the town are the 16th century Church of Nuestra Señora del Reposo and the hermitage of San Benito, patron saint of the town, built between the years 1578 and 1569. The streets are wide, and open into public parks and plazas. Campillos is ideally placed in terms of communication between Antequera and Ronda, and this has favoured the place enormously over the centuries. Pre-historic archaeological remains show that people have lived here for a very long time, and some of the items they left behind show that Campillos was indeed an important place.
Iberian/Roman remains in the form of coins and ceramic pieces have been discovered in the El Castillón area, and we know that the Visigoths were here too from three small spires found in El Moralejo, at present the College of San José. In spite of all these finds, there is still no documentary evidence of life here until the 15th century, after the area had been conquered by the Christian forces. At that time Campillos was administered from Teba, until it was granted judicial autonomy in 1680.
In our own day Campillos enjoys a buoyant economy based on agriculture, pig farming, poultry farming and the leather industry. The reputation of the leather workers in Campillos has spread far and wide, with quality articles such as clothing and suitcases made in the town on sale all over the country.

Places to be visited
Church of Santa María del Reposo
This church, built in the 16th century, is the most important work of architecture in Campillos. Its main entrance is in the Baroque style, while the other door is Doric, both set in stone frames. The main altar is a pine tabernacle with eight columns in imitation marble, the carved wood image of Nuestra Señora del Reposo dating from the Granada School of the 17th century.
Hermitage of San Benito
San Benito is the patron saint of the town, and a hermitage was built in his honour in the 16th century, the work taking twenty years to finish. It was later reconstructed, in 1756 and 1814.
Lakes and natural surroundings
Campillos is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Andalucía. There are eight lakes in the municipality, all of them of great geological importance that are now an official Nature Reserve. They cross the area from north to south, providing sweet water for the entire area except that part known as the Salada. The biggest of these lakes is the Dulce (the Sweet), and here the people of the place used to fish in times gone by, according to a manuscript dated 1833. These days one can see flamingoes and ducks, among other species of wildlife, on the lake. Sodium chloride used to be extracted from the Salada approximately 40 years ago. The mountains around Campillos are the Las Sierras and the Sierras de Peñarrubia, changing colour from season to season but always providing beautiful views, as well as the hills of El Calvario, Pelado, Quebrantaencinas and Mariano.

Where to eat
Bar Restaurante Ganga II. Specialising in flamenquines and home-made San Jacobos, barbecued meats, sea foods and fried fish. Ctra. Sierra de Yeguas, Km.1. Tel: 952 722 373. Campillos.
Restaurante-Mesón Los Chopos. With a functions room. Ctra. Jerez-Cartajena, Km.140. Tel: 952 722 770 Fax 952 726 017. Campillos.
Restaurante La Pedrica. Crta. Jerez-Cartegena, Km 140. Tel: 952 722 491.
Donde calienta el sol. Avda. Sierra de Yeguas, 2. Tel: 952 722 222.
Bar Salvador Morilla. C/Puerta de Teba, 1. Tel: 952 722 173.
La Bodega. Avda. de la Constitución, 10. Tel: 952 722 025.
Restaurante Stop. C/ Real, 13. Tel: 952 722 247.
Bar-Restaurante Casa Herrera. Crta. Jerez-Cartegena, s/n. Tel: 952 724 057.
Restaurante Hermanos Morillo. C/ Puerta de Teba, 10. Tel: 952 722 733.
Restaurante Avenida. C/ Puerta de Teba, 22. Tel: 952 722 588.
Restaurante Los Galgos. C/ Puerta de Teba, 32. Tel: 952 725 088.
Restaurante Plaza. Plaza de España, 4. Tel: 952 722 973.
Restaurante Asador Donostiarra. Crta. de la Estación. Tel: 952 725 233.

Where to sleep
Hotel Los Chopos. Ctra. Jerez-Cartagena, Km.140. Tel: 952 722 770 Fax 952 726 017. Campillos.
Hostal San Francisco. C/Real, 36. Tel: 952 722 056.
Rural houses
Antiguo cortijo Montero. Capacity: 8 people. 952 111 082.

FIESTAS
Campillos has a very busy festival schedule all the year round, between the traditional religious festivals and activities organised by the Town Hall. Examples of the latter are the annual Musical Band Festival that began six years ago, and the Book Fair which has been running annually for the past nine years. Apart from these relatively new events, the most important of the traditional festivals are that in honour of the town's patron saint, San Benito, taking place on July 10th and 11th, and the August Feria, which takes place during the first fortnight of the month and draws people from far and near.
GASTRONOMY
The principal dish associated with Campillos is the porra campillera, make with tuna fish, eggs and ham. Another popular dish, especially in summertime, is the salmorejo, made with oranges, fried fish, mainly cod and tuna. The pork products in the area are particularly good too, as well as the chickpea, lentil and bean casseroles, the fried bread crumbs and the gazpacho of the area. The baked dishes of the area are also excellent, these including pastries, breads and buns, all home-made.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
One of the principal economic activities of Campillos is leather-work. The various pieces made here, from overcoats and jackets to accessories, are famous throughout Andalucía. The town is also well known for its school, Colegio San José, one of Southern Spain's most prestigious boarding schools. Founded some 50 years ago, it offers the full secondary school programme and its reputation is one of human values, hard work and excellent academic results.