The Town of Monda
History & character
In the Spanish Mountains
Castillo de Monda - Unwind in History
The Area
Looking for things to do in Monda and the surrounding areas? Andalusia is known for its rich culture, historic towns and traditional white villages. Vibrant cities like Córdoba and Granada are an ideal destination for a day trip.
The cultural university town of Málaga is only half an hour away, while Marbella with its beautiful old town and beaches can be reached in 15 minutes. Near the hotel you’ll find several golf courses.
Castillo de Monda is also the perfect location for hiking or cycling. It is located in the nature reserve ‘La Sierra de las Nieves’ and in wintertime even a day trip skiing to the Sierra Nevada could be an option!
Monda is the romantic Spain of literature and art. It is hard to find a place that so effortlessly combines old world charm and tranquility while also offering easy access to bustling modernity. Discover the welcome that’s waiting for you in Monda!
Things to do in Monda
Monda has a small central village square, Plaza de la Ermita, with the Monument to the Miner and some interesting bars. Just outside the square, on Calle de la Jaula (the A-7010 road to Guaro) is the preserved municipal lavadero and the popular Bar Luna and Bodega de la Plazolete.
Fuente Lavadero de la Jaula is the town fountain and roofed lavadero (public laundry area), once a focus for social exchange, which dates from the 16th century.
Casa Museo Marigloria
This rural museum is in a typical village house, decorated in the style of the early 20th century (c/ Amargura 2, near Plaza de Andalucia).
On display are tools, household objects and stoves that were used by the labourer. The owner of the house turned it into a museum and happily for us, remains open to this day; there is no admission fee to visit.
Monda’s Beautiful Nature
Nature lovers and avid hikers will enjoy walking in the La Sierra de las Nieves nature park that is a picturesque wilderness of flora and fauna and there are many walking routes of interest including our very own walk through history from the Castle to the town of Monda!
Monda’s Diversity
The Castillo de Monda has been the main attraction of the village for some time, but venture out into its streets and you’ll find a place bustling with Andalusian charm and excellent tapas bars, not forgetting a warmth towards visitors that will ensure you feel like family everywhere you go.
And, now that Marbella Design Academy is based in Monda, the influx of international students has added a youthful, more cosmopolitan vibe to Monda. You may find yourself in a bar chatting to an olive oil producer whose family has been in the business for decades at the same time as a future fashion designer.
The history of Monda
There’s a tale that the traditional Andalusian village of Monda was the scene of the final battle between the armies of Julius Caesar and the supporters of Pompeii.
This was the Battle of Munda and while we know that Julius Caesar did visit the Costa del Sol (you can visit his favourite outdoor bathing spot at the Hedionda Roman Baths near Manilva) it is something of a stretch to claim this battle was actually fought in Monda. But, why spoil a good story!
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Church of Santiago de Apóstol
This Parish church was built in 1505 on a demolished mosque. It originally only had a nave with a tower at the foot, later the side naves were added.
Above its entrance door there is a semi-circular arch of exposed brick in the Mudejar tradition. It has undergone several renovations, the most important in the early seventeenth century. No major reconstructions have been made since then, so most of the church can be seenin its original structure and detail.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
"Mirador" (viewpoint)
The Mirador de la Peragüera is located at the far right of the town, between the Marbella road and Calle Consejo.
Its name comes from the fact that it was formerly the path of “las vines de Agüera”, in times when the vine was an important crop in the area.
From the viewing point you get magnificent panoramic views of the town of Monda in the foreground and the Sierra de las Nieves behind.
You can access to the entrance of the viewpoint by car, or you can walk there from the castle (about 20/30 minute walk)
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
The Charcoal Statue
It is a life-size bronze sculpture representing a chickadee. It was a job that many people from the town had to perform.
They spent months in the fields to make charcoal from oak or cork oak firewood.
It is a tribute by Monda to this and other hard trades linked to agricultural and livestock work that took place over centuries.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
18th Century Altar
This 18th century altar is located on the outskirts of the town. It is made of whitewashed brick.
Below it is a large era where cereal was threshed in the past. Today, the images of the Crucified Christ and the Virgin are carried in procession towards the altar every Easter.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Laundry & Fountain "La Jaula"
La Fuente and Lavadero de La Jaula are located in the interior of the municipality.
The fountain dates from the 16th century and owes its name to the Arabic term al-Haura, which means “the outskirts”. It is located in a hollow of the La Lucía stream, which runs through Monda.
The fountain was restored in the 18th century and it reflects some of the most traditional characteristics of popular architecture.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Fountain "De La Villa"
In the direction of the municipality of Guaro, there is another of the sources best known by the Mondeños, that has supplied water to the town for centuries. It is the source of the Villa, located at the foot of the Villeta hill, where Castillo de Monda is located.
It is a fountain with three cast iron pipes that protrude from a whitewashed wall to pour water into a long pillar that served as a trough for cattle.
The water used to pass to an old laundry -now disappeared- and from there to the orchards area a little further down. Today the place that the laundry used to occupy has become a tourist information center.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Fountain "Mea Mea"
This is the fountain Mea Mea. It is a modest fountain, which once stood at the lower end of Calle Marbella.
Today it is located more towards the middle of that road as it had to be transfered due to the expansion of the village. This transfer from its original location took place in 1890.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Fountain "La esquina"
Small modest 19th century fountain, topped by an iron cross.
It is located in a small square building with with four water fountains. The exterior of the hermitage is a small patio surrounded by flowers. From its location you can admire the magnificent views of the Guadalhorce Valley.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
The City Council Vaults
Las Bóvedas (the vaults) are a municipal exhibition space belonging to the Monda City Council that are located under the premises of the Town Hall. The building was built in the 19th century and this place was used as a Granary or grain store. Over time it received other uses such as stables, jail or warehouse.
The Vaults have been used for an many artistic exhibitions (pictorial, sculptural, handicraft, etc.) and today it represents a beautiful exhibition center in the town of Monda, although it does not have the ideal characteristics to be configured as such. What is certain is that it has an architectural structure of singular beauty.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Cruz Caravanca
Small hermitage that houses a cross that welcomes the most ancient religiosity of the area. They go to her to pray or make promises.
Its elevated position provides beautiful views of the town and the surrounding landscape. It is one of the four crosses that protected the town from evil spirits. There are also the cross of the Sierra, that of the Water and that of the Ram.
Image & info credit: i-sierradelasnieves.com
Roman Path
In the outskirts of the town, in the direction of Coín, we find an old Roman road in a fairly good state of preservation.
It was the road that connected with the city of Malaka through the Guadalhorce Valley. Products such as oil, cereal and wine were taken to the port to be shipped to other parts of the Roman Empire.
La Sierra de las Nieves
The La Sierra de las Nieves, an official Biosphere Reserve and Nature Park, is a natural paradise on the doorstep of the Costa del Sol, a few kilometres from Marbella and close to cities like Málaga and Ronda, and we’re proud to say, Castillo de Monda is right in the middle of it all!
The nature park is a model of coexistence between man and nature and has been given several awards which recognise its extraordinary values. Some of the awards it has been given are the “European Destinations Excellence” by the European Comission, the “Skäl Award for Sustainable Deveploment in Tourism” and the “European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protectd Areas”.
The Nature Reserve includes the towns of Alozaina, Casarabonela, El Burgo, Guaro, Istán, Monda, Ojén, Tolox and Yunquera.
It has plenty of lovely places to visit and it has its own emblem; the botanical star with the ibex & the pinsapo.
Any time of the year is good to come to the La Sierra de las Nieves, every season brings new colours, scents and sensations, and there is always something new to see. Plus the surrounding villages are often organising events to honour the traditions.
Nature, adventure or culture lovers can choose from a variety of sporting activities offered by the villages such as hiking, horse riding routes, birdwatching, canyoning, walks by its amazing botanical and fascinating geology…
You can hire your own private guide to show you around the nature reserve or join one of the many excursions organised by the surrounding towns.
Viña & Bodega Remsamen
Only a few minutes from the Monda Castle you have the chance to visit a true winery in all it’s glory!
The Remsamen winery is run by 2 wine enthusiasts who set up their small non commercial winery up back in 2005 and have since grown to a fully functioning winery and bodega.
On a trip to this winery you will see the whole process of what it takes to make wine, and of course there is a tasting to be had!
The grape variety used in this winery is Chardonnay and is produced naturally without chemicals pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
Please contact reception of the hotel to make a booking for a winery tour, or visit their website for more information.
El Molino de Monda
El Molino de Monda (The Monda Mill) is an old mill that is still actively making local olive oil.
The mill, only a few minutes from the Castle, has been making olive oil since the year 2000 and has become one of the more popular extra virgin olive oil suppliers on the Costa del Sol.
At the mil you can see the entire process of making olive oil take place, from picking the olives, ripening them, pressing and packaging them.
You even get to try some and if you wish can purchase a small bottle to take home with you.
The Olive Mill in Monda is a great place to visit and if you have the time one afternoon, you should definitely have a look!
Marbella & Puerto Banús
But, if you’re concerned that Monda is just a bit too sleepy and rural, then don’t forget that you are only a 15-minute drive from La Cañada shopping centre that has all the major shops plus a cinema, and the centre of Marbella is only a few more minutes from here.
The Old Town of Marbella has a unique appeal and a distinctive Andalusian character. Narrow and white cobbled streets lead to Plaza de Los Naranjos or Orange Square, where the town hall is located. The orange square in its turn gives access to the rest of the quaint old town streets with small shops and traditional whitewashed homes.
Puerto Banus is located to the west of Marbella, before you reach the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara.
A relatively new town on the scene, it was actually developed in the seventies in a beautiful setting within the town of Marbella, by the local developer Jose Banús.
The area offers a beautiful setting, with an impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views. Puerto Banus has fast become a mix of jet set playground combined with traditional pubs and bars.
Here you can spend hours sipping cocktails, watching the super rich on their luxury yachts and the Ferraris and Lamborghinis drive by.
The nightlife in Puerto Banús is only about 20 minutes away when you feel like a club night, and an excellent taxi service is available.
Luna Mora Festival
There are horseriding treks available locally and an art studio for guests who would like to try capturing the undulating lanscape around Monda, a local market and nearby Guaro hosts its annual Luna Mora festival every September when the entire village is lit only by candles.
This ancient Moorish festival celebrates the Moon and it is an occasion not to be missed.
visit málaga city
Malaga’s history spans about 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world.
Malaga has a lot to offer, so do not miss out on a city full of history, that has also been the key important port and trading center in the Mediterranean.
Use the hop on/off bus and see everything from exhibits, tapas bars, nightlife, beaches, shopping, the bullring and Castillo de Gibralfaro which towers behind Malaga.
This is here where you can see the whole city and out to sea (see picture). The Alcazaba is below the Castillo de Gibralfaro and it has a fantastic view, with many small oases in the great palace/fortress.
In Malaga there is a large food market with a huge selection of fresh foods.
Don’t forget about Old Town, it is very nice to walk around in and try some of the tapas offered in the local bars.
Malaga is also an important city for culture lovers and it has developed an important network of museums.
You can find in Malaga the Picasso Museum and his birth house, the Russian Collection of Art, Carmen Thyssen Museum or the Contemporary Art Center Pompidou, among others.
