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Canillas
de Albaida AREA: 33,20 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 576 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 670 l/m² AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 17 ºC POPULATION, CENSUS 1994: 656  
Canillas de Albaida rises over a small hill next to the Llanada river, before it merges with the Cájula river to form the Sayalonga river. Its lands extend from the line of the sierra Almijara summit, which marks the border with the province of Granada, on the north, until near Daimalos (in the Arenas municipality) on the south. The Secanillo peak (743 m.) and Cuevas peak (800 m.) to the southeast and northwest respectively of the town, mark the entrance to the hilly landscape of the north of the municipality. Landscapes of ravines and gullies which accompanied by pine forests, ascend up to the rocky places of the Chapa, Carneros and Albucaz gorges, always above 1.600 metres altitude. When the gullies begin to lull and form the Cuevas, Turvilla and Ciguilias brooks, among others, the panorama is adorned with black and white poplars, oleandres and creepers which mark the presence of water in the fissures of the sierra, forming extraordinary beautiful spots. One of them, possibly the most known, is La Fábrica, situated in the confluence of the Cueva and Turvilla brooks. This spot has camping installations and a forest track coming from the town, facilitating its access. To the south is the Axarquía physiognomy of vine and olive covered hills, alternating with almonds as we come closer to the Arenas municipality at the southern extreme of the district. The abundance of water also allows the appearance of some irrigated crops in the bottom of the valleys and near the town. The origins of Canillas de Albaida was in a 13th century Arabic farmstead belonging to Vélez-Málaga which received the name of Albaida (white), not for the white houses, as we don’t know if they were that colour before, but for the abundance of white flowers which according to the chronicles, surrounded the area. In 1487, after the conquest of Vélez-Málaga by the Catholic kings, Canillas is added to the requirements of obedience imposed by the king Fernando el Catolico, until in the 16th century, because of the Moor rebellion, it ran the same luck as other surrounding towns, after the defeat of its men and of other nearby towns in the famous battle of the Peñon de Frigiliana, which the era’s chronicles relate in detail, and is written in the streets of the Moor suburbs of this last town, converted into an attraction for visitors.
The town, which is one of the milestones in the wine and raisin route of the Axarquía, is situtated on a hill and within the town centre is the tower of the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Expectación, built in the 16th century in the square where the town hall is also situated. The church which was rebuilt in the 18th century, has a quadrangular base and presents a solid aspect with its great double-bodied tower which is well conserved. Its interior consists of three naves, the largest being covered with a wooden armour and at its feet there is a rococo style tribune. On the highest part of the town, is the chapel of Santa Ana, in an abandoned state, which was built in the 16th century with a single semi-espheric canon vault. From here you have a splendid panorama of the nearby sierras. On the lowest part of the town there is another chapel, of San Antón, it is smaller and has one nave, an archway entrance and brick belfry. In the municipality there are a good number of caves or natural grottoes, such as the Piletas, Agua, Melero and Conejo.
Basically, the local wine, elaborated in various varieties, as the handicraft is limited to utensils, baskets, carafe holders, etc. made with esparto grass.
As well as the excellent wines - muscatel, dry, medium dry and sweet - the gastronomy of Canillas de Albaida has local dishes such as fennel broth, cornflour breadcrumbs, fried kid, porridge, and cold summer soups.
In mid January they celebrate San Anton’s day and in February the day of Salve and San Blas rusks. In June is San Juan’s day and the first week of August is the yearly fair which lasts three days, the last day being Sunday where they have a procession with the patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario which is also celebrated on the 7th of October with another procession. Candlemas takes place on the 7th and 8th of September to celebrate the end of the harvesting.
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History and Landscape
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