Andalucia is famous for its 'White Villages' and Finca Estrellas is very fortunate in being a short distance from 4 of them, all very different in character.

The Romans were the first to build settlements here and this is evidenced by the various Roman roads and bridges that still remain, there is a road and a bridge between the Finca and the nearest village, Canillas de Albaida. Then the Moors invaded in 711 and on the settlements they built the characteristic narrow twisting and steep roads that typify the villages to this day. They also formed terraces out of steep hillsides and dug irrigation canals which are still widely in use.

They built mosques and minarets (Moorish bell tower), but when the Catholics invaded in 1492 they destroyed the mosques but kept the minarets and built churches on the site. You can see 2 of these churches in Canillas de Albaida and what is probably the best examples in the whole of Axarquia of a minaret in Archez and Salares.

Click on the links above for more information about restaurants, facilities etc in individual villages.

"Wonderful place, excellent food. Teacher great - good places to visit and walk. Felt really relaxed, enjoyed every minute, love to come again."

Cassandra, Painting group April 2008