Humilladero amid nature, the Sierra and culture

Nature and landscape

The Laguna de la Ratosa Nature Reserve lies between the municipalities of Alameda and Humilladero. It was designated a nature reserve in 1989.

The Laguna de la Ratosa is a shallow, seasonal wetland with saltwater. Its landscape includes submerged vegetation and the rare and endangered aquatic plant Althenia orientalis.

The birdlife of the Laguna includes flamingos, avocets and stilts, among others. Birds use the Laguna de la Ratosa as a feeding ground. Water, vegetation and birdwatching are therefore among the clearly recognizable features of this protected landscape.

The Sierra de Humilladero, also known as Sierra del Humilladero, is a limestone ridge approximately 6.2 kilometers long. Its maximum elevation is 684 meters above sea level, and the ridge runs from west to east. The Sierra de Humilladero is home to numerous bird species of interest to ornithology. Its geological form, longitudinal extent and orientation give the area its own landscape character alongside the Laguna wetland.

La Sierrecilla is a public recreational area near Humilladero. It is used for relaxation and enjoying nature. The area is located approximately 400 meters from the center of Humilladero. Routes for hiking, birdwatching and cycling lead out from its surroundings. Thus, a protected wetland, a limestone ridge and a public recreational area with different landscape settings coexist in the same place.

The different place names clearly refer to separate points of interest: the Laguna de la Ratosa is the protected wetland between Alameda and Humilladero, while the Sierra de Humilladero and La Sierrecilla are each described independently as a limestone ridge and a public recreational area, respectively.

Find more places here: Estepona, Alhaurin De La Torre, Bobadilla-Estación, Gaucín, Alameda, Campillos, Cartaojal and Benamocarra.

Church, history and festivities

The parish church of Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia was built at the end of the 17th century. Inside the church, the central Camarín contains the image of the Virgen del Rosario.

Above this image, the figure of Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia is located on the cross. The Cruz del Humilladero stands at the entrance to Humilladero.

Historically, the Cruz del Humilladero is closely linked to the conquest of Antequera. This place is also associated with an oath taken there by Infante Don Fernando. The church, the images and the cross each retain their own names and associations within the town.

The Ermita del Apóstol Santiago is located in the village of Los Carvajales. It is possibly considered the origin of the settlement. Thus, alongside the town center, Los Carvajales is also one of the municipality's stated historical points of reference.

The Romería to the Ermita de Los Carvajales is held on July 25. Ntra. Sra. del Rosario is the patron saint of Humilladero; her feast is celebrated on October 7. The festival calendar therefore links the date of the Romería with the patronal feast in autumn.

To the higher-level travel overview: Málaga.