Humilladero
Municipality of the Antequera Region

[History] [Places to Visit] [Shopping] [Gastronomy] [Festivities] [Additional Information]

AREA: 34,20 km² ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 450 metres AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL: 480 l/m²
AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 15’5 ºC POPULATION CENSUS 1994: 2.426

History and Landscape

The municipal district of Humilladero occupies a narrow stretch of territory between the municipalities of Fuente de la Piedra and Mollina, to the north of the Antequera region. Its lands extend from the limits of the provinces of Malaga and Seville until the Humilladero sierra, at the foot of which the town stands. The landscape mainly corresponds to smooth undulating terrain covered with olives and cereal. The presence of the Sierra de Humilladero (650 m.) on the southern border is the only thing that breaks the monotony with an abrupt relief and an abundance of pine groves.

Although it is true that the founding of the town goes back to the 15th century - an epoch before the conquering of Antequera by the Christian troops -, the first reliable documents date its origins in 1618, which is the date that is inscribed on the base of the Humilladero Cross at the entrance to the locality.

The theory which defends its foundation before the 17th century states that the first inhabitants of Humilladero appeared on creating a series of houses around the estate of the Convent in the 15th century. As well, it seems that the name Humilladero comes from the oath of the prince D. Fernando de Antequera, who demeaned himself in front of the sword of San Fernando, who held Per Afán de Ribera at the head of the troops coming from Seville who joined the prince near Antequera.

D. Fernando knelt and kissed the sword, swearing not to put it away until he had conquered Antequera. Behind him, the other knights, humbly kneeling down, made the same oath.

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Places to visit

A typically agricultural town situated in the Antequera plain, with wide and simple streets, white houses, mostly modern, although the place dates from the beginnings of the 17th century. The only monument is the parish church of the Virgin of the Rosary, whose front is sustained by pilasters and pediment, with a square based single bodied tower, of which the top part has archway openings for the bells.

In the municipality there are some artificial caves where archaeological vestiges of the Muslim era have been found.

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Shopping

The handicraft production is represented by iron forging, especially in lamp making. There are also basket weavers who use olive branches.

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Gastronomy

Here, they also follow the culinary tradition of the towns in the Antequera plains, from where the 'porra' comes from, although here it has the variety of being "maja". Other dishes are breadcrumbs fried with garlic, cold summer soup, marinade, finely chopped vegetables, broth, and potato stew. Regarding the confectionery there are fritters with honey, rusks and fairy cakes.

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Festivities and traditions

The patron saint's festivities of the Virgin of the Rosary are celebrated on the 7th of October. On the 24th of June is the San Juan fair and the first week of August is the so called emigrant’s fair, homage to those who years ago left the location in search of work.