Ojeda religious artefacts shop Semana Santa in Malaga

Wicks, candles, and rosary beads can all be found at Ojeda © Michelle Chaplow

Ojeda: A Hidden Gem in Málaga’s Historic Quarter: The Ojeda Family’s Religious Artifacts Shop

by Michelle Chaplow

Tucked away in the heart of Málaga’s historic centre, at No. 8 Calle San Juan, lies a truly extraordinary find for the curious traveler: a family-run shop steeped in tradition and devotion, dedicated entirely to the sale of religious artifacts. Specialising in items for Holy Week (Semana Santa), Corpus Christi, and Christmas, this shop is more than just a place of commerce—it is a living testament to the city's spiritual and cultural heritage.

This unassuming storefront opens into a veritable treasure trove, lovingly curated and maintained by Francisco Ojeda and his wife, Ana. Francisco is no ordinary shopkeeper; he is a direct descendant of Miguel Ojeda Torrecillas, the founder of La Custodia, Spain’s oldest waxworks factory. The factory itself boasts a prestigious history, having once welcomed Queen Isabel II and supplied wax goods to the Spanish Royal Household.

Ojeda: A Hidden Gem in Málaga’s Historic Quarter © Michelle Chaplow

Step inside and you’ll be immersed in a world where time seems to have paused.

Before entering, be sure to look up: a statue of a Nazareno (a penitent figure in the processions) stands solemnly on the balcony above, watching over the street as if blessing those who pass. Inside, the details evoke a bygone era.

The shop is densely packed with objects of devotion and ceremonial use: incense and burners, bells of various sizes—including throne bells and delicate handheld ones—black and white gloves, candle wicks, wax, sashes for hombres de trono (the men who carry processional floats), and accessories for women wearing the traditional mantilla. You’ll find combs, brooches, crosses, rosary beads, cofrade medals in gold and silver, lapel pins, and key rings—each item a small yet powerful symbol of faith.

Cone-shaped inner moulds for the tall, pointed headwear of the Nazarenos are stacked in corners, their sizes and heights marked in pencil and tagged with handwritten Post-its—a system charming in its simplicity. Michelle Chaplow

Cone-shaped inner moulds for Nazarenos are stacked in corners, their sizes and heights marked in pencil and tagged with handwritten Post-its—a system charming in its simplicity. It’s a place where devotion, memory, and craftsmanship converge.

For visitors to Málaga seeking a deeper connection to the local culture beyond the beaches and tapas bars, this shop offers an authentic and touching experience. It is not just a business, but a reflection of a family’s lifelong dedication to faith and tradition. In a city known for its spectacular Semana Santa processions, the Ojeda shop stands quietly but proudly as one of its most enduring foundations.