|
|
|
Malaga,
located in
Andalucia
is the
capital
city of
the
Costa del
Sol
and is
steeped in
over 3,000
years'
history.
It has
been
inhabited
by the
Romans,
the Moors
and the
Carthaginians
all of
which have
left their
mark on
this
wonderful
city.
Malaga
serves as
both a
major port
and an
industrial
centre for
the south
of Spain.
Having a
large
international
airport,
it is also
an
important
gateway to
the rest
of the
world,
Malaga
airport is
the
largest in
Spain and
during
2001
handled a
record 10
million
passengers. |
|
|
|
Malaga is
easy to
get to by
means of
the N340
highway
and the
coastal
railway.
Trains
will drop
you at the
Malaga
Central
which is
located
next to
the main
post
office and
just a
short walk
from the
main
tourist
attractions.
As you
leave the
station,
turn right
and you
will find
the first
tourist
office who
will issue
you with a
free plan
of the
city.
Carry on
over the
bridge
down
Alameda
Principal
to find
the
Cathedral.
|
 |
|
|
 |
The
Cathedral
is
known
as La
Manquita
which
means
'the
little
one
armed
lady.'
The
Cathedral
incorporates
renaissance,
Baroque
and
neo-classical
styles
due to
the
length
of
time
it
took
to
construct.
|
|
The
Cathedral
has
only
one
tower.
There
was to
be a
second
but
this
was
never
completed
due to
lack
of
money.
Inside,
one
can
find a
Gothic
altar
and a
statue
of the
Virgin
Mary.
There
are
fine
carvings
of
saints
in the
choir
area.
Explore
the
Cathedral
from
every
angle
as
every
facade
is
very
different. |
|
Five
minutes
away
from
the
cathedral
is the
Alcazabar,
a 15th
century
Moorish
fort.
It
will
take
you at
least
an
hour
to
explore
the
many
parts
of the
Alcazabar,
most
of
which
have
been
restored.
You
will
see
several
good
examples
of
Roman
stonework,
some
of
which
have
clear
inscriptions.
At the
entrance
to the
fort
lies a
first
century
Roman
theatre
which
is
currently
being
restored. |
|
|
| The Alcazabar is one of the most important in the area. The upper part has been remodelled to incorporate a museum in the near future. From the top, wonderful panoramic views of the city and port can be had.
The Alcazabar is open every day except Mondays; summer 9.30am-8.00pm and winter 8.30am-7.00pm. |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Pictured
left
is
another
photo
of the
Alcazabar,
note
the
pile
of
Roman
columns,
strewn
on the
path.
Entrance
to the
Alcazabar
is
very
low
and
well
worth
the
walk.
Next
stop
is the
Castle.
The
easiest
way to
get
there
is by
means
of the
number
35 bus
that
leaves
from
Paseo
del
Parque
although
you
can
walk
from
the
Alcazabar.
The
walled
corridor
that
joins
the
Alcazabar
with
the
castle
was
built
in
1333.
It is
clearly
visible
from
the
port
area.
The
castle
stands
on
Monte
del
Faro
(Lighthouse
Mountain)
which
suggests
that a
lighthouse
existed
in a
previous
period.
The
current
construction
has
been
remodelled
many
times.
All
the
same
it is
very
impressive
and
the
views
from
the
top
are
splendid. |
|
|
|
|
At the
foot
of the
hill,
next
to the
beautiful
gardens
of
Pedro
Luis
Alonso,
you
will
find
the
Ayuntamiento
(Council)
building.
Close
to
this
you
will
find
one of
the
city's
museums
in the
Palacio
de la
Aduana.
The
city
has a
wealth
of
historical
buildings,
many
of
which
you
will
stumble
across
such
as the
Banco
Espana
building
(right).
One of
the
best
ways
to see
Malaga
is by
means
of the
open-top
tourist
bus. A
ticket
is
valid
for 24
hours
and
you
can
hop on
and
off at
13
stops.
The
well
planned
route
takes
in 13
of the
most
important
sights.
First
departure
is at
9.30am
from
the
bus
station. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Malaga
has
more
than
its
fair
share
of
squares
and
parks.
One of
the
best
green
areas
being
the
Paseo
del
Parque
that
runs
alongside
the
port
area.
Exotic
trees
cover
various
resting
places
that
hide
statues
and
water
features.
In
this
area
you
could
soon
forget
that
you
were
in a
big
city.
The
city
also
offers
an
explosion
of
culture
with
theatres,
cinemas,
museums
and
exhibitions.
The
Christmas
celebrations
are
among
the
biggest
in the
province
with
more
than a
million
coloured
light
bulbs
illuminating
the
city
streets. |
|
|
|
Roman
Malaga
Behind
the
cathedral
is the
Palacio
Episcopal
which
has
been
converted
to a
large
and
modern
exhibition
hall.
There
is
currently
a
fantastic
exhibition
showing
'Malaga
under
your
feet'.
There
are
numerous
rooms
containing
important
Roman
artefacts,
discovered
in the
city.
Entrance
is
free.
Fiestas
When
it
comes
to
fiestas,
Malaga
does
it in
style.
In the
middle
of
August,
shops
close
and
banks
reduce
their
staff
to
enable
as
many
people
as
possible
to
join
in
with
the
August
fair.
During
the
ten
days
the
city
swells
and
comes
alive
with
firework
displays
and
carnivals.
During
the
day
the
festivities
are on
the
city
centre
streets
where
people
dance
and
sing.
|
 |
|
|
|
| By night, the centre is empty and the party has moved to the outskirts of the city in Cortijo de Torres. This is a new area that is expanding. Here artists perform and dances and concerts go on all night. The celebration program includes something for everyone, regardless of age. Even though there is a modern fair as we know it, Malaga also offers bullfights, Flamenco dances and other more traditional celebrations. Although the fair is on for ten days, celebrations start way before this and go on right to the end, until the last firework pops.
Unusual you might imagine for a large city, Malaga also offers a long, clean beach. Each year, hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers arrive to enjoy the clear Mediterranean waters. Whatever time of year you visit Malaga, you will receive a friendly welcome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
