This is the most westerly commune in the province.
Its land slopes down from the lower Genal to the coast, and is made up of small hills mainly covered with vines. The village is located two kilometers from the coast, presided over by the Santa Ana church.
In addition, there is a second nucleus on the coast, Sabinillas, home to Sabinillas Castle dating from the time of Charles III. Along the coast, in addition to the extensive beaches, there are other places of interest such as the La Duquesa marina and the Punta Chullera tower.
History
Its foundation as a municipality dates back to 1796, when it separated from the jurisdiction of Casares, although the settlement of the current urban nucleus predates this date.
During the reign of Charles III, the castle of Sabinillas was built to defend the territory against the Berber pirates who frequently invaded the coast. According to chronicles, it was built under the patronage of a Seville knight named Francisco Paulino. During the War of Independence, it was one of the few villages that Napoleonic troops were unable to occupy, which is why its coat of arms bears the title “noble and loyal village”.
During the reign of Charles III, the castle of Sabinillas was built to defend the territory against the Berber pirates who frequently invaded the coast. According to chronicles, it was built under the patronage of a Seville knight named Francisco Paulino. During the War of Independence, it was one of the few villages that Napoleonic troops were unable to occupy, which is why its coat of arms bears the title “noble and loyal village”.
Heritage
- Duchess Castle.
Located on the beach of La Duquesa.
It was built in 1767 during the reign of Carlos III. - Church of Santa Ana, whose patron saint is Santa Ana, whose procession takes place on July 26.
- Chullera Tower
- Old Manilva cemetery.
- Municipal archaeological museum, the pieces come from the Roman archaeological site in the vicinity of the Castillo de la Duquesa .
La Duquesa Golf
Located in the coastal town of Manilva, La Duquesa Golf offers golfers a sophisticated 18-hole course set in a landscape of incomparable beauty, with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop.
If you’re planning a golfing getaway on the Costa del Sol, La Duquesa Golf & Country Club might just surprise you!
The La Duquesa golf course offers a highly varied course, thanks in part to its wide fairways.
The course has 2 clearly differentiated sections.
The first 9 holes are English-style, with narrower fairways and elevated greens.
Hole 4 is famous for its beauty: this PAR 4 offers a sublime view, but quickly penalizes the player’s scorecard.
The final holes are easier to play, with wide fairways, although the greens present more difficulties.
Hole 17 is the most characteristic of this section: it’s a PAR 3 with an elevated tee, like a balcony overlooking the sea without a fairway.
Quite a challenge for golfers!
The beaches
The Manilva coastline is bathed in Mediterranean light, with some very special features.
It has just over eight kilometers of wide, extensive beaches, with fine sand that gently slopes into the sea.
Clean, crystal-clear waters, equipped with all kinds of services and distinguished for their quality by the blue flag of Europe’s seas.
Small, large, open, straight or gracefully enclosed and hidden between the rocks, with a harmonious landscape, rich fauna and vegetation, both in the rock and in its dunes, singular, standing out among its fauna the piping plover or the otter and among its vegetation the jasione corymbosa or the armeria hirta.
Holidays
Manilva celebrates countless festivals throughout the calendar, all of which surprise us with the ease with which its inhabitants transform everything into joy, splendor and art.
With the arrival of each season, various events are organized, such as..:
Carnival
It is celebrated for three days in February.
Costume and music preside over the revelry of chirigotas and comparsas, who sing curious lyrics about the most remarkable public events.
Holy Week
A festival celebrated in April or May, commemorating the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ.
Confraternities and brotherhoods organize processions which, day after day, take to the streets of our town.
San Juan Night
From June 23rd to 24th.
A magical, enchanting night.
The most eagerly awaited event coinciding with the summer solstice.
The traditional burning of júas on the beaches of Sabinillas illuminates the shortest night of the year.
At midday, many people take the opportunity to purify themselves, washing their feet and face with sea water, while making three wishes; the boldest jump over the pyre, others throw into the fire petitions written on a piece of paper or bad things they want to put an end to.
A night that chases away evil spirits and brings forth love.
Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Fatima
On June 27, the town of Manilva embarks on what is already its traditional pilgrimage to the hermitage of San Adolfo in the Baños de la Hedionda.
Virgen del Carmen Day (July 16)
Patron saint of fishermen: a festival deeply rooted in the seaside districts of Castillo de la Duquesa and San Luis de Sabinillas.
At sunset, after the maritime mass, the images are taken out in procession to the beach, embarked and set sail guarded by fishing boats and sports boats in authentic marine pilgrimages full of magic.
Flowers and boat horns mingle with cries of beauty to the Queen of the Seas.
Feast of Saint Anne (July 26)
Manilva’s patron saint festival in honor of its patron saint, Santa Ana, when locals and tourists alike enjoy float parades, music, dances and musical performances until dawn.
Day of San Luis de Sabinillas (August 25)
In honor of its patron San Luis, the Sabinillas district celebrates its festivities every year on August 25.
The sea becomes a privileged and magnificent backdrop for this local commemoration.
Sporting competitions, music and dance take over the town during these days.
The harvest
The Grape Harvest Festival is unique on the Costa del Sol, and is celebrated in the urban center of Manilva on the first weekend in September, coinciding with the end of the grape harvest.
Of particular note is the Day Fair, which has been part of the Grape Harvest Festival since 1983.
The special feature of this festival is the crushing of the grapes to extract the first must of the year, which is then offered to visitors and friends for tasting.
