La Joya: Parish Church, Festive Traditions and Hiking Route
Accommodation in La Joya
La Joya lies in the southern part of the Paraje Natural de El Torcal protected natural area and is one of the districts of Antequera. The parish church, local festival dates and proximity to the GR 249.4 long-distance hiking trail offer different points of interest for planning your trip. You can weigh up whether you are most interested in church history, local traditions or a hiking route.
Church History and Building
The parish of San Gabriel Arcángel de La Joya-Nogales was canonically established on 21 September 1945. The present-day Church of San Gabriel Arcángel came later: it was built in 1982 to replace the previous building. The founding of the parish and the construction of the present-day church are therefore two separate milestones in the history of the area.
Even before the parish was established, La Joya had a rural chapel-school. It served both as a place of instruction and for religious services for the local population. Its dual function brought together education and religious life in the local history, while the present-day church building marks a later phase of construction.
The church is a simple rural building with a single nave. It is located at Calle AndalucĂa, s/n, in La Joya (Antequera), postcode 29260. Check the location locally before visiting.
Festivals and Recurring Dates
The Festival de Verdiales combines stage performances with traditional street celebrations in the Corro style. The year is important when planning your calendar: the XXVIII edition announced for 2025 was scheduled for 25 July at 10 p.m. as part of the local feria and was considered one of the most notable events in the local festival calendar.
Two religious dates also shape the local year. The RomerĂa de San Gabriel Arcángel takes place annually on the third Sunday in May. The festival of San Gabriel Arcángel, the patron saint, is scheduled annually for 29 September. Check the current programme before travelling. The May and September dates are recurring occasions; the July date mentioned specifically refers to the 2025 edition of the festival.
These festivities offer different dates and points of interest: the festival combines a stage programme with street celebrations, while the other two dates are listed in the annual calendar as a romerĂa and a patron saint's festival. If you want to plan your trip around a particular celebration, take its specific date into account and confirm the current programme before setting off.
Location and Getting Your Bearings
La Joya lies in the southern part of the Paraje Natural de El Torcal protected natural area. The MA-4402 is relevant for road access: from the A-343, it is the main access route to the districts of Antequera—La Joya, Los Nogales and La Higuera. Road conditions can change, so check the route before travelling.
The GR 249.4 between Antequera and Valle de AbdalajĂs is a linear hiking trail. La Joya is one of three hamlets near the route. This distinguishes the hamlet's location from the trail's course: the hiking trail connects the places named, while La Joya is close to the route. Check current trail conditions before hiking and plan according to the specific route.
Church history, recurring festival dates and geographical context offer different ways to assess La Joya as a place to stay. The historical milestones relate to different things—the parish, a previous building and the present-day church. When it comes to the festivals, it is also worth distinguishing recurring calendar dates from a date tied to a particular edition.
Discover more destinations: Los Nogales, Lagunillas, Villanueva De Cauche.
Go to the main travel overview: Antequera.
