The town of Málaga that was nicknamed 'El Entredicho' and that sets the boundaries with Córdoba and Granada

In the north of the province of Málaga, at the heart of the Nororma region, lies Villanueva de Tapia, a municipality known for its strategic location between Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada. Its border location shaped its identity for centuries and even earned it a curious nickname: 'The Entredicho'. This name arose from ongoing disputes between the towns of Archidona (Málaga) and Iznájar (Córdoba), each vying for jurisdiction over this strip of land. Documents from the 16th century already mention this name, reflecting a conflicted past that led to the area becoming part of the Royal Estate in 1602 and later sold to Pedro de Tapia, of the Supreme Council of Castile, under whose patronage the current urban center was developed.

The Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol, located in Plaza de España, is one of the main symbols of Villanueva de Tapia. Built between 1618 and 1624, it houses a valuable historical archive with records of registrations, marriages, and censuses from 1626. Inside, it contains valuable artistic pieces, such as a 17th-century Immaculate Conception and the figures of Our Father Jesus Nazarene and the Virgin of Sorrows, both from the 18th century. Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations: expansion in 1778, facade reconstruction in 1897, clock installation in 1948, and brick cladding in the 1970s.

The Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Villanueva de Tapia. / malaga.es

Another unique relic is the Fountain of the Allalantes, built at the beginning of the 18th century to supply water to the residents. Its commemorative plaque notes that it was the first fountain constructed in the village. Also, the San Antonio Washhouse, where women used to gather to wash clothes, has regained prominence as the Center for Interpretation of the Intangible Heritage of Oral Tradition. Walking through the streets of the municipality reveals historic buildings, such as the old inn of Santa Bárbara or the House of the Cantina.

A junction point between Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada

The border condition of Villanueva de Tapia is symbolized today by the Trifinio monolith, a work by local artist Julián Hinojosa. It is a three-sided concrete sculpture, each side facing one of the bordering provinces, Málaga, Granada, and Córdoba. This element encapsulates the essence of the municipality as a crossroads and meeting place between territories.

The Trifinio Monolith that marks the boundaries of the locality with the provinces of Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada.

Nature and routes around the olive groves and the mountains

Villanueva de Tapia is part of the Great Path of Málaga and offers various possibilities for active tourism. The Olive Grove Route connects the municipality with Villanueva de Algaidas, Cuevas Bajas, and Cuevas de San Marcos through a gentle trail, ideal for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The landscape is dominated by extensive olive groves that define the northeastern region. To the south rises the Sierra del Pedroso, a rolling mountain range reaching an altitude of 1,024 meters. As one climbs, the olive trees give way to gall oaks, cork oaks, and holm oaks, home to native wildlife such as foxes or wild boars.

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Cuisine with its own signature

The cuisine of Villanueva de Tapia reflects its rural surroundings. Among its dishes, the guisillo de la Virgen, a stew of anchovies with saffron, lemon, and parsley; goat porridge, migas, and white garlic with beans stand out. The local sausages and typical sweets—oil cakes, pine nut cakes, wine and pichi doughnuts, shortbread, and pestiños—complete a culinary offer rooted in tradition.