Mollina

The most direct route to Mollina from Malaga is by the A-92, heading towards Seville and turning off about 50 kilometres out, as signposted. The average temperature in the area is about 16º centigrade, and although there might not be great changes from season to season, it can vary quite a lot during the day. Being in the interior, there are no sea breezes here, and it can get rather cold at night. Visitors are warned that the roads can have ice on them during the night at any time of the year.
There are various theories concerning the origin of the town's name. One says that it derives from the Torre Molina (the Mill Tower) and another claims it comes from the Latin "mollis", which means "suave" or "bland." Archaeological remains found in the Sierra de la Camorra, in any case, indicate the presence of settlements here in Neolithic times. But it was the Romans who left most evidence of their stay here, examples including the Mausoleum of La Capuchina, the olive oil mills and the Castellum of Santillán, a walled fortification now in ruins. The present town dates from the 16th century. Sophisticated agricultural methods meant that, in the space of a century, Mollina had the best olive plantations in the Antequera area, to such a point that the name of the parish church of San Cayetano was changed to that of Nuestra Señora de la Oliva. The municipality became independent of Antequera at the beginning of the 19th century, and in the second half of the 20th century it suffered badly from emigration. The population dropped from 5,098 in 1950 to 3,049 in 1980. But great efforts were made in the field of agriculture to correct this situation, and in less than 30 years Mollina has managed to produce 80 percent of the wine that comes out of Malaga province.

Places to be visited
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Oliva
This church, dating from the year 1687, was built with three naves separated by square pillars supporting semicircular arches.
Convent of La Ascensión
This building, also known as the Cortijo de la Villa, is situated close to the Church of Ntra. Sra. de la Oliva. Of principal interest on the outside is the façade, and inside is a curious sun clock. The present urban centre grew up around the convent.
Roman sites
Among the most important archaeological sites in the region are the Mausoleum of La Capuchina and the Castellum of Santillán. The Mausoleum, situated on the sides of the Camorra mountains seven kilometres from the town, was built as a funeral site with a rectangular base, using the familiar reddish stone of the area. Fragments of ceramics and other material have been found close to the site. The Castellum of Santillán is four kilometres from the town, extending over almost 1,400 square metres with base structures showing two different phases of construction. The first phase shows the existence of two large rooms dating from the first and second centuries A.D. The villa was clearly owned by a wealthy Roman family, complete as it is with living, farming and commercial areas. On the second level, the older building was torn down and a new one built in its place. A 24.5-metre wall was built around the complex, and square towers positioned at the corners. This second phase of Santillán dates from the third century A.D. and was clearly built as a defence against repeated attacks.

Where to eat
Restaurante Irene. Avenida de Andalucía, 4. Tel: 952 741 189.
Bar Restaurante El Limonar. Ctra. Sevilla-Málaga Km. 143. Tel: 952 740 094.
Mesón Restaurante Plaza. Plaza de la Constitución, 11. Tel: 952 740 171.
Restaurante Santillán. Ctra Alameda, 4. Tel: 606 128 441.
Bar Carretera Alameda. Ctra Alameda, 8. Tel: 952 740 061.
Bar Chavo. C/Sol, 8. Tel: 952 740 173.
Bar Chicharro. Plaza de la Constitución, 2.

Where to sleep
Cortijo del Agua. Ctra. Mollina-Leiva. Tel: 952 741 017.
Las Cañadas. C/Las Cañadas, 23. Tel: 952 741 328 and 610 716 172.
Hotel Molino El Saydo. Has 8 mini-suites, large swimming pool, bar and restaurant with barbeque. Ctra. Sevilla-Málaga, Km. 146. Tel: 952 740 475 Fax: 952 740 466.
Pensión Bermúdez. C/Real,10. Tel: 952 740 103.
Camping Molino del Saydo (2ª Cat.). Ctra. Sevilla-Málaga, Km.146. Tel: 952 740 475.

FIESTAS
The annual Feria in honour of Nuestra Señora de la Oliva finishes on August 15th. During the second week of September the Feria de la Vendimia takes place, this being the union of old tradition and newer economic interest, in a wine festival in which the entire village participates. The Candelaria festival takes place on the first day of February, and the Romería in honour of the Virgen de la Oliva is held on the second Sunday of may.
GASTRONOY
The most important dishes in Mollina are based on pork products prepared in the traditional way, with a variety of pastries making up the gastronomic tradition of the town. In winter, the people of the place like to eat hot stews and other hot dishes, while in summer, the favourite dish is gazpacho or porra. But all the year round, meals are taken with the delicious wines of the region.
COUNTRY ROUTES
An excellent way of getting to know the area is to take one of the four rural routes through the municipality. The first, known as the Ruta del Capiruzón, takes us to the Santillán area where we can see the Roman ruins of the Capiruzón fort and the Santillán park. The Route of the Capuchina takes us along 18 kilometres of track to the Roman Mausoleum, where we can see some wonderful examples of Mediterranean flora. The third route is the Route of Berdún, 14 kilometres in length through Berdún, Los Álamos and Los Olivillos. We can see the Roman mill remains in Berdún and an old gesso mine. And finally, the Route of the Portichuelo, six kilometres long, takes us to the flat areas of La Sierra and La Fuente, where we can see the Paso del Portichuelo, the Andalusian Torre Vigía and the Roman