Villanueva de Cauche: Castle, Santa Cruz and GR 7

Landscape and location

Villanueva de Cauche is located 635 metres above sea level. The Sierra de Las Cabras lies north of Villanueva de Cauche, with the 1,284-metre-high Cabras summit. The 896-metre-high Monte Robledo lies southeast of Villanueva de Cauche.

The location and the two named elevations give the landscape a clearly defined spatial structure. The cardinal directions and elevations remain directly linked to Villanueva de Cauche.

Culture and history

Cauche Castle is listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) with the typology Monument. The Palacio-Cortijo de Villanueva de Cauche is one of Antequera’s protected rural buildings.

The Palacio-Cortijo de Villanueva de Cauche stands on the site of the former Cauche Castle. This former Cauche Castle was destroyed by fire in 1849. The parish chapel of Santa Cruz is attached to the former palace of the Marquisate of Cauche. Santa Cruz dates from the 18th century.

The Marquisate of Villanueva de Cauche is considered the last feudal estate to have still existed in Spain and Europe.

The historical references thus focus on the Palacio-Cortijo, the former castle, the attached parish chapel and the Marquisate of Villanueva de Cauche. Their names and the dates handed down through history form the cultural core of the village.

Hiking on the GR 7

Stage 9 of the GR 7 is a 13.4 km linear route. It runs from Antequera to near the access road to Villanueva de Cauche via the A-45. If you plan to complete the stage in one direction, allow approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes. The route is rated moderate to easy.

The stage crosses the Río de la Villa and passes the Nacimiento de la Villa. Other waypoints include the Boca del Asno and the Fuente de Las Pedrizas, before the route reaches Villanueva de Cauche.

The route description refers to a one-way hike and specifies both the starting point, Antequera, and the destination near Villanueva de Cauche. The waypoints form part of the stated course of this linear stage.

Connection to Antequera

Villanueva de Cauche is connected to Antequera via the A-45. The distance to Antequera is 21.8 km.

Antequera and Villanueva de Cauche are therefore connected both by the described GR-7 stage and by the A-45. A distance of 21.8 km is specified for the road connection.

Fiestas de la Santa Cruz

The Fiestas de la Santa Cruz in Villanueva de Cauche were celebrated from 3 to 5 May as an annual public festival. The festivities included a mass and a procession in honour of the Holy Cross. They also included a communal meal featuring local cuisine.

Further destinations include Lagunillas, Los Nogales and La Joya.

For the overarching travel overview: Antequera.