The village of La Viñuela is situated 45 kilometres from Malaga and 19 kilometres from the coast at Torre del Mar, at a height of 131 metres above sea level. It lies within the area of Axarquia, on the scenic Route of Olive Oil and Mountains, and has a population of 1,700.
The village grew during the 18th century around a building called La Venta La Viña, which fed and watered weary travellers on route between the coast and Granada, which is still a centre for the old men of the village to meet for a game of dominoes and local farmhands escaping the midday sun. The village was named after the vines which grow in the area and from this building where local wine was sold.
Two tributaries of the River Velez, the Guaro and the Seco, run through the municipality of Viñuela. A dam has been built across the Guaro to create a reservoir that can hold 170 million cubic metres of water. The reservoir, known as Lake Viñuela, fills a natural valley and is surrounded by beaches, trees and other vegetation creating an additional attractive feature to an already beautiful landscape. The major crops in the surrounding areas are olives, vines and cereals.
The main building of interest in the village is the 16th century parish church of San José which houses a valuable 19th century sculpture of the Pietá.
Archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric, Roman and Medieval times are located in the area.
Useful Numbers:
Emergency Doctor: 061
Emergency Police: 091
Town Council: 952 519 002
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