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Guide
to Antequera,
Andalucia,
Spain
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Located right in the centre
of
Andalucia.
Set in a rich, fertile plain is the market town of Antequera. It has been
inhabited since prehistoric times and every generation, including the Romans
have made their mark here. Some of the most important Roman Villa ruins have
been discovered here. We stumbled across some being excavated at the top end of
the town near the college. There are plenty of sights to be seen and it is known
for its abundance of places of worship, more than anywhere else in Spain. The
famous bullring is worth a look.
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The main
industry
here is
not
tourism,
although
this is
growing,
it is an
important
area for
olive oil
production.
The whole
area
around the
town is
covered
with olive
trees. The
town has
always
hoped to
retain its
individualism
and image
of true
Spanish
life.
Malaga
lies just
40km to
the south,
making
Antequera
an easy
day out.
Guided
tours can
be had
around the
museum
which is
located in
the heart
of the
monumental
quarter,
within the
18th C
Ducal
Palace. |
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Antequera
is truly a
sleepy
place
except on
the market
day of
Friday
when the
place
comes
alive with
shoppers.
The town
is also a
bustling
agricultural
centre
that
attracts
farmers
from the
surrounding
villages
who come
to stock
up with
all their
requirements.
Spectacular
views can
be had,
over the
sea plain
to the
south,
dotted
with wild
olive
trees.
Head to
the top of
the town
to find El
Portichuelo,
the
College
and the
Alcazabar.
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In the
Giant's
Arch (Arco
de los
Gigantes),
see left,
dating
from 1585,
there are
various
remains
dating
back to
Roman
times. Go
through
the arch
to see the
Royal
College
Church and
the newly
discovered
Roman
city.
There is a
wonderful
bar and
restaurant
opposite
the
college.
The Arab
castle
dominates
the town
and from
here
panoramic
views can
be had.
The White
Tower and
Keep are
still
standing
and are
splendid
to
witness.
There are
open parks
and
gardens to
rest in at
the top.
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The
municipal
museum is
housed in
the
Palacio de
Najera, a
fine 18th
century
building.
Within the
museum are
fine
exhibits
dating
from Roman
and
pre-historic
times, as
well as a
good
selection
of fine
art. The
bullring
has
recently
been
reconstructed
and still
holds
regular
corridas.
Antequera's
annual
fair takes
place
third week
in August.
There is
also an
important
agricultural
fair in
the first
week of
June with
horses and
other
livestock.
We
witnessed
first-hand
the
Semana
Santa
processions
in the
town,
which
occur
every
Easter,
when
Antequera
explodes
into
colour. |
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On the
edge of
the town
lie the
famous
Dolmen
Caves, the
most
famous in
Europe.
They
consist of
funerary
constructions
dating
from
2.500BC.
They were
discovered
in 1905 by
a local
gardener
and are
now open
to the
public.
The
impressive
caves are
easy to
get to and
there is
ample car
parking
close by.
See
photo
right.
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The
surrounding
area
contains
places of
unsuspected
beauty.
Just 13km
away along
a surfaced
road is a
unique
natural
beauty
spot, able
to be
visited
all year
round, a
wonderful
lake,
visited by
the pink
Flamingo.
We stayed
in
Antequera
then took
a 40
minute
drive to
Fuente de
Piedra to
see the
famous
flamingo
lake. |
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The legend
of the
Lover's
Rock
On the
boundary
with
Archidona
is a large
hillock
that
resembles
a
human-like
face
laying
down, said
to be that
of an
Indian
warrior.
Legend has
it that
the rock
bore
witness to
a tragic
tale of a
love
affair
between a
young
Christian
from
Antequera
and a
Moorish
girl from
Archidona.
Their love
for each
other was
forbidden
due to
their
religions
and they
fled to
the rock
with
troops on
their
heels.
Rather
than spend
a lifetime
without
each
other,
they threw
themselves
from the
rock in a
loving
embrace. |
Lover's
Rock,
close to
Antequera
(can you
see the
shape of
the
Indian's
face?) |
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