Campillos combines a seasonal lagoon landscape with churches, archaeological sites and traces of local industrial history. When planning your visit, it helps to choose a clear focus: do you want nature to shape your stay, are you particularly interested in architectural history and archaeology, or would you like to plan your trip around an event? These different themes offer different insights into the town and its surroundings.
Lagoons and Landscape Around Campillos
The Reserva Natural de Las Lagunas de Campillos was designated a nature reserve in July 1989. Near Campillos, the seasonal, endorheic lagoon complex comprises Laguna Dulce, Laguna Salada, Laguna de Capacete, Laguna de Camuñas and Laguna del Cerero. Laguna Dulce is the largest. Campillos offers hiking trails through the protected area; the Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Natural Lagunas de Campillos provides information about the different lagoons and their flora and fauna. The trails and interpretation centre thus offer two different ways to explore the natural environment: walking through the reserve and learning about its habitats.
The landscape is varied beyond the lagoons, too. Around Campillos are extensive agricultural plains, wetlands and mountain ranges such as Peñarrubia and Sierra Huma. When considering the destination’s natural attractions, you can therefore see the lagoons as one part of a wider landscape where plains, wetlands and mountains alternate.
Churches and Traces of Local History
A striking example of the town’s architectural history is the Iglesia de Santa MarĂa del Reposo. It was built in 1506, in the 16th century; its last major structural alteration took place between 1805 and 1821. The church has three naves and several chapels. Its tower is covered with blue and white tiles. The main façade displays Sevillian Baroque style, and the main portal is by the architect Antonio de Figueroa. The building’s construction phases and architectural features offer several ways to appreciate it.
The history of the Ermita de San Benito can be traced through several dates: construction began in 1578, the chapel was blessed in 1596, rebuilt in 1756 and extended with an outdoor porch in 1814. Another chapter in the town’s history can be seen at the Torre del Tejar. It preserves the chimney of a brickworks and tile factory, which began operating in the 1950s and continued until the end of the 1960s. At the end of 2017, the Ayuntamiento de Campillos had the tower restored; it is considered an industrial landmark within the town.
Archaeological Sites and Different Eras
At Cerro de los Castillones in Campillos stands a rectangular Roman building, partly built over Iberian structures. Since 2009, the archaeological site has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the Zona Arqueológica category. The Necrópolis de las Aguilillas takes visitors much further back in time: this prehistoric complex comprises seven tombs in artificially created caves, dating approximately to 2100–1900 BC. Their architectural forms, human remains and archaeological grave goods have yielded many insights into the life and death of Guadalteba’s early inhabitants.
A Hispano-Visigothic necropolis comprises around a hundred Roman and Visigothic graves dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries and from 450 to 550 AD. The Cortijo de las Mezquitas offers another example of architectural history: a mosque was converted into a farmhouse. It dates approximately to the 10th or 11th century and features numerous horseshoe arches. Its almost square courtyard measures 28.25 metres on each side. The different periods and architectural styles give visitors an archaeological and architectural focus for exploring Campillos.
Events, Activities and Getting There
The Feria del JamĂłn and the pork products made from it received recognition as a Fiesta de Singularidad TurĂstica Provincial in 2010. Every year, the fair offers the opportunity to buy artisan pork products such as morcillas, salchichones and chorizos. The Festival Flamenco de Campillos offers a different cultural experience and has been held during the summer months since 1969. The fair and the festival have distinctly different focuses; check the event dates before your trip.
The town also offers other activities for active visitors: Parque Multiaventuras Campillos has twelve games of varying difficulty and a zip line. Participants are secured to a safety rail system with harnesses and safety ropes and are accompanied by staff. Circuito Internacional de Karting Campillos has a 1,500-metre track and rents karts for adults and children. If you plan to visit either attraction, check the current operating conditions beforehand.
By car, Campillos is about ten minutes from Antequera-Santa Ana AVE station. Check connections and timetables before setting off. Motorhome travellers can use a free public parking area with a septic tank; confirm its availability before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Malaga, Villanueva De Tapia, Benamargosa, Valle De AbdalajĂs, Cañete La Real, Jimera De LĂbar, Cartaojal, Los Morales.
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