Discover Charilla: History and Routes

Charilla offers starting points for a trip that takes in historical remains, named places and routes. You can explore its archaeological history and buildings, learn about the local springs and fountains, or plan a hike along the Colada de Valdepeñas. The different themes can be explored individually without having to combine them into a fixed itinerary.

Archaeology, architectural history and cultural heritage

Archaeological sites in Charilla date back to Iberian, Roman and Islamic times. This span of time gives the town’s history several historical points of reference. One specific example is the Tesorillo de Charilla, a Hispano-Arabic treasure hoard from the 10th century, housed in the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes. Based on numismatic evidence, the find has been dated to the Caliphate period; it is one of the few groups of Andalusian goldwork from this era.

The Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario is also a prominent historical landmark: dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario, it dates from the 16th century and has undergone extensive alterations. The Ermita de la Virgen de Fátima, one of Charilla’s religious landmarks, is located in the Hoya de Charilla. If you plan to visit the hermitage, it is best to check access arrangements in advance.

Stories and traditions are also part of the area’s cultural history. The introduction of the Fandango de Charilla is attributed to muleteers from the coast of Málaga, who sold fish in the villages and cortijos of the area in the 19th century. The Fandango de Charilla is a local singing style similar to the Verdiales of Málaga. During Islamic rule, Charilla was part of the Ruta de las Atalayas. This historical connection adds another temporal and cultural point of reference to the archaeological sites.

Hoya de Charilla and named places

The Hoya de Charilla lies at the foot of La Martina and is an exceptional natural area for nature lovers. The Hoya also features on the Ruta de la Sierra: after descending through it, the route leads to Charilla. The landscape and the route through the town can thus be considered as distinct aspects of route planning.

Named springs and fountains in Charilla include the Fuente de la Plaza de la Iglesia in the Plaza de la Iglesia, the Fuente Grande on Calle Fuente Grande, the Fuente del Piojo in the Hoya de Charilla, and the Fuente y lavadero de la Montijana on Calle Montijijana. Water availability and facilities may vary. Therefore, do not rely on these places as dependable supply points without checking in advance.

Routes and navigation

The Colada de Valdepeñas hike starts in Charilla and takes approximately two and a half hours. This is a guide time, as pace and conditions affect the duration. After leaving Charilla, the route follows the course of the old livestock track of the same name. A threshing floor serves as an unusual viewpoint along the way; the hike ends at the foot of Cerro La Martina and Rompezapatos. The route therefore offers both an approximate time frame and named stops, as well as a clear endpoint for planning.

The Ruta de la Sierra offers a different way to navigate through the town: it enters Charilla via Calle Prado and leaves the town at the square at km 22.7 via Calle de la Fuente. Together with the stretch through the Hoya de Charilla, this creates a clearly defined sequence of landscape and town streets. By contrast, the Colada de Valdepeñas focuses on the approximate hiking time, the old livestock track and the endpoint. Before setting out, check current trail conditions and bear in mind that they can change.

For the main travel overview: Alcalá La Real.