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Manilva has previously been both a Roman and a Moorish settlement however the current town dates back to the mid-16 century when King
Charles ordered the building of a watch tower to warn of attacks from the Barbary pirates who were persistent in tormenting the southern coast
of Spain. By the end of the century a small community had collected around the tower and was located within the
of Casares in 1976 it was given its autonomy and own Villa status.
It has remained mainly Spanish in character and atmosphere, as most of the English and other sizeable nationalities prefer to be on the coast (approx 2 km away)
, it therefore still recognises the
period where time seems to stand still.
The largest building, the Iglesia de Santa Ana, replaced the original church in the 18 century after its
predecessor was destroyed by an earthquake.
The village has been surrounded by acres and acres of vineyards with Moscatel grapes converted not only to wine but also
raisins which can be seen drying on the hillsides during September. However this is s diminishing site as many of those nearer
to the coast are being sold for conversion to houses, apartments, shopping complexes and golf courses.
History of Manilva
The history of
Manilva dates back to the Neolithic period or New Stone Age and
remains from this period can be found in more than 20
archaeological sites in the area. However, the first period of
any permanent settlements in Manilva can be dated back to the
Roman occupation where settlements are believed to have been
established in Sabinillas and Manilva village. This is
especially evident in the
of Manilva which has developed into a popular and protected
tourist destination. Other Medieval remains found in the area
include those of La Alcaría, El Cerrillo de la Sepultura, El
Cerro del Tesorillo, the Torre Almenara (Minaret tower) de Chullera, dating from before the re-conquest, and the Torre de
In the 16th
Century the history of Manilva was linked with its neighbour
Casares under the rule of the Duke of Arcos who was requested to
increase the security of the area by Carlos V from his military
strategy to protect the road ways and beaches in the area. In
1528 Carlos V issued orders to build a tower known as the 'Salto
de Mora'. It is here that a few years later a farm community
formed on the hillside which became known as 'El Cortijo' which
is now the origin of the present village of Manilva. In 1530 the
Church of Santa Ana was built under the auspices of the Duke of
Despite the gradual growth in
the population of Manilva it was not
until October 26th 1796 that Manilva gained its independence
from Casares and was granted with the 'Royal privilege of town'.
Manilva has since developed
into a prosperous farming community with its harvest of fine
wine, fish and Mediterranean produce. Latterly Manilva has grown
to become a thriving tourist town due to its mild climate,
natural beauty and enviable farming culture and history.
The cuisine of this land is based on the
Mediterranean diet. The peoples of the Mediterranean have managed to
combine centuries food in a smart, leading to a balanced diet,
nutritious and tasty. The town's bars and restaurants are a meeting
place where you can sample a variety of delicious cuisine Manilva,
developed with the highest traditions and ingredients of the highest
Daily, land and sea offer the best we have appetizing dishes for a
typical kitchen Malaga, where you can taste excellent traditional dishes
made from local products.
Tomato soup (with black bread, tomato, onion, pepper, garlic and
sardinitas); asparagus; clam, and gazpachuelo, which is a soup with
mahonesa the traditional style.
Other typical dishes from the kitchen manilveña are: gazpacho "MAJA"
with olive oil, yearn, sour orange, bread and salt; cabbage; based
cooked cabbage, chickpeas and pork; tagarninas soup with chickpeas; meat
in marinade , Macerated with various spices and vinegar.
I should also mention some traditional salads such as: the pipirrana,
salad with tomato, onion, pepper and cucumber, dressed with olive oil,
salt and vinegar and you can add octopus or dried cod, and gazpacho with
fried ripe tomato, cucumber, garlic, onion, pepper, bread crumbs, olive
oil, salt and vinegar.
But what stands out most in the town of cuisine is fish and shellfish,
for its freshness and natural flavor, whether they are prepared for an
easy way to grilled or baked, as if they are cooked in savory stews.
There are numerous restaurants and bars which offer a rich and varied
supply of fish to combine with a local wine. "The stewed potatoes with
bay; noodles with clams, cuttlefish soup with chickpeas; fish soup, rice
with fish; emblanco with fresh fish; tortilla cod, anchovies in brine
and vinegar, although the more traditional form as fried and this is
where we highlight the famous "fried Malaga", without forgetting the
moraga (act of sardines grilling outdoors, usually on the seashore, to
spit against the wind in, ensartadas with a special art).
Moreover, wines Manilva may accompany the dishes very well giving a very
special flavor muscat grapes, being a delight for your taste buds.
Desserts will be the climax that sweetened their meals. The pinch cake,
fried cakes, Torrijos, piñonate, and the traditional muscat grape, which
can also taste in spirits and raisins.
The tapas is also a good way to open up to the kitchen manilveña taste
and culinary arts with small portions of the countless tapas on offer.
The kitchen offers each week, most succulent dishes themselves and the
vineyard has been the engine of the economy of this town. If we
make a slight passed by the history of vineyards in this land we
can see that since the early years of the sixteenth century it
will be the crop that has given character to Manilva.
Between 1515 and 1520 the Duke of Arcos, Mr County Casares, the
first granted land for vineyards in what in those days were the
old payments Manilva. By mid-century that the vineyard had been
extended by many of its hills occupy most of the land suitable
for cultivation. Since that time the vineyard had greatly
expanded, reaching more explendor moments during the seventeenth
century and a large part of the eighteenth century, mainly due
to trade in wines and spirits with Catalan merchants.
When you can really appreciate a clear loss of the vineyard is
from 1860, leaving a residual crop. The varieties that prevailed
in these lands were vidueños, targeting production of wine, and
there were many wineries and cellars scattered all their lands.
Since the mid-nineteenth century the vineyard had ceased to be a
growing importance in the area. From the early years of the
1920's in almost all the lands of Manilva was not rare to find
any strain of muscatel.
It was in the cellar of payments, specifically in the so-called
vineyard of the Advocate, which put this variety for the first
time so widespread throughout the property. It will be after the
Civil war begins again when the expansion of vineyards Manilva.
With the introduction of muscatel orientation changed radically,
the wine stays in the background.
Years of explendor led to the vineyard that was done a tribute
to the silent work of a people; to do so in late 1950 and early
1960 the council at the time decided to organize a feast for the
manilveños and especially for people over the summer working in
our vineyards. He was hosting a party with great interest by
both neighbors as by visitors.
Autumn is near and with it a new cycle in the vineyard, the
fruit has been collected and are starting from scratch one more