There is evidence that this area has been lived in since the Stone Age, when primitive man took shelter beneath the outcrops of the Cueva Santa, Chamusquina and Castillejo, and we know from ancient texts that there were Iberian fortifications in the Cerro de la Botinera. But it was not until the beginning of the 16th century that the ancestors of the present residents moved to the foothills of the Sierra de Líjar, in the Guadalete river basin. The first houses were built shortly afterwards in what was to become the Puebla de los Algodonales, as it was known from the start of the modern era.

The nearby Council of Zahara, on which the village was then dependent, ordered the houses of the village to be destroyed in 1566, but this did not prevent its gaining the status of village. It suffered total destruction once again in 1810, when French troops set fire to the village during the War of Independence, killing approximately a tenth of the local population. The present coat-of-arms of the municipality shows a burning house, reflecting the tragedy its inhabitants suffered at that time.

Independence

It was this heroic defence of the village against the French troops that led to its independence from Zahara Zahara de la Sierra. In 1817, King Fernando VII granted the municipality the title of villa, with a surface area of approximately 34,000 acres. These days, the municipality comprises the town itself and the smaller village of La Muela.

Today’s visitor can wander through the streets of the old town or stroll into the surrounding countryside between orange, lemon, pomegranate and olive groves, all contrasting sharply with the white of the houses. The most important building in the town is the parish church of Santa Ana, with its beautiful tower, built in 1784 by architect José Álvarez. Other places of interest include the Plaza de la Constitución, which is located in the centre of the town. Smaller religious buildings, such as the sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno and La Concepción, can also be visited, as can the sanctuary of La Virgencita, located just outside the town. It is here that the people of the town march in procession during their romería, taking place in May of each year.

Algodonales has been famous for the quantity of water that flows through it, as we know from a 19th century dictionary that names the 12 freshwater fountains in the town. This water flows throughout the year, coming from underground streams flowing down the mountains. These fountains are La Higuera, Algarrobo, Alta, Higuereta, Cabeza, Chorrito, San José, Dornajo, Cristóbal Gómez, Zapata, Muela and Víboras. One of them - the Algarrobo fountain - can be visited in the appropriately named Calle de la Fuente. It is built of 12 pipes in the Los Lavaderos area, and dates back long before the history of the town was written. Another fountain from the same stream can be found on Avenida Fuente Alta.

The area surrounding the town is also worth a visit. Here we find virgin landscape in which the greens of the low-lying areas contrast sharply with the ruggedness of the higher ground. Ancient woods are to be found on the upper slopes of the surrounding mountains, and one of the real pleasures of a stay in the town is to visit its natural resources.

One of the favourite rambling routes in the locality is towards the top of the Sierra de Líjar, which can be reached through the village of La Muela. Other routes include the Cerro de la Botinera, an archaeological site four kilometres from the town, located on the eastern side of the mountains. The views from here are magnificent, and one can see as far as Pruna, Olvera, El Gastor and Zahara, and even the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Acinipo.

A visit to the area must include sampling the excellent gastronomy of the region, which is includes asparagus soup, home-made cheeses and pork products. The area is also well known for the quality of its olives.