Macharaviaya: History, Festivals and Vineyards

Culture and History

Macharaviaya is designated as a historic site and is situated on several hills with views of the sea. Vineyards surround the town and form the basis of Macharaviaya’s agricultural activity.

The historic street layout is considered typical of an Arab settlement. The streets are paved with cobblestones.

The Iglesia de San Jacinto was canonically established in 1505 and rebuilt in the 18th century. Construction work on the church was completed in 1785. It corresponds to the Neoclassical Baroque style of the Province of Málaga.

The church has a single-nave floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross, a barrel vault and a dome over the crossing. Beneath the Iglesia de San Jacinto, the Mausoleo de los Gálvez was built in 1785 as the burial place of the Gálvez family.

The Museo de Los Gálvez is dedicated to the history of Macharaviaya and the Gálvez family. It has a central room devoted to the history of the town, as well as three exhibition rooms for contemporary artists.

The Templete de los Gálvez is a brick-built shrine with two square structures. It was built at the end of the 17th century in memory of the Gálvez family and their foundations. The Templete de los Gálvez is also known as “Calvario”. During Holy Week, the Stations of the Cross took place there.

The Pilar de Arriba dates from the 18th century. It is a water basin that belonged to the Palacio de los Gálvez and features a bust relief.

The Fábrica de Naipes belonged to the Gálvez family and established an important trade connection between America and Macharaviaya. It produced 30,000 decks of cards annually; in addition, the factory held the sales monopoly for this product in the New World.

Festivals and Traditions

Since 2009, Macharaviaya has celebrated the Fourth of July every year. The festival includes historical reenactments and military-history parades. Tasting the typical local mead liqueur is also part of the celebrations.

Festivities in honor of Saint Bernard take place in Macharaviaya on the first weekend of August. On the first Sunday in December, a regional gathering of Pastorales is held in honor of Salvador Rueda.

The event in honor of Salvador Rueda has been recognized by the Diputación as a festival of special provincial significance.

Trails and Landscape

The Sendero Macharaviaya–Iznate–Benamocarra hiking trail has a moderate difficulty level, is 11.6 kilometers long and takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

The Sendero Macharaviaya–Benaque leads from Macharaviaya along historic paths to Benaque. The route passes through agriculturally used land with vineyards, almond trees and olive trees.

Getting There

From the A-7 Mediterranean Motorway, the MA-3201 road leads to Macharaviaya. Macharaviaya has no bus service.

More Destinations

More destinations for discovering Andalusia include Sayalonga, El Burgo, Júzcar, El Sexmo, Yunquera, Algarrobo, Canillas De Aceituno and Igualeja.

For the higher-level travel overview: Málaga.