| Malaga
MALAGA
CAPITAL CITY OF THE COSTA DEL SOL
Málaga is today the fifth capital in Spain and a very vital part of Andalusia. Its history, culture, university, archaeological and monumental richness, fully opened to the world, Malaga the capital of the Costa del Sol, centre of the international tourism, with its Technological Park, -an open door to the future -, its splendid communications, the international airport Pablo Picasso one of the busiest
in Spain, and an open door to the international tourism to the Costa del Sol, and definitively, that special way of life, truly expressed during the Holy Week and the August fair, showing the philosophy of a people permanently and absolutely devoted to the secular habits the Malaguenian feel to its truly roots. Add to those reasons the mildness of its climate, its fantastic beaches, its great gastronomy, its popular culture and the friendship of its people, who convert everything into fondness,
and will understand why everybody feel at home in Malaga.
Málaga, abridgement of art and living together, birth place of so illustrious men as Pablo Picasso, Cánovas del Castillo, Ibn Gabirol, Espinel, the Marquis of Salamanca, Manuel Alexandre (who though born in Seville, always lives in Málaga), and many other famous
men who, for very long time spread the Malaguenian industry all over the world, though today is the tourism the most important industry for the whole area.
The Malaguenian being, is found in its Holy Week, with that impressed brotherhoods movement which make Malaga to shake itself during the celebration of the procession of their monumental thrones through the town streets and squares..
August feasts, pure sample of the living together of the Malaguenians, transmitted through the air by the notes of the "verdiales", -the most typical Malagenian music-, with ancient resonance and deep feeling, and transporting us closer to that "Malaga cantaora", sometime immersing people into the history, and other time projecting them into the future.
What a pleasure to enjoy during these days, or in any occasion, the soup of anchovies, Malaguenian soup, gazpachuelo, garlic soup, gachas, cabbage stew, stewinpan of vermicelli, and other exquisite plates of the rich cuisine of Malaga.
Today communicated with access through motorways and highways to everywhere; the airport, which is projected with ambition, to cover future exigencies until the year 2050, together with the railway station and the port, complete an exceptional connection centre, not only to its own service, but to the whole province and mainly to the Costa del Sol, with its huge traffic of passengers.
CONCISE HISTORY OF MÁLAGA
Since being the Phoenician Malach or Malaca, the Roman Flavia Malacitana or the Arab Malaca, Málaga has been transformed into the fifth city in Spain, and today is the capital city of the whole province and of the Costa del Sol, since where, it send its most diverse tourist offer all over the world.
The setting is known since the first millennium B.C, at the same time of Gadir (Cadiz) establishment.
After the Greek colonisation, for more that seventy years, Málaga went through the Carthaginian domination, replaced by the Romans after the Punics wars.
With the decline of the Roman Empire and the advent of the Vandals and Silings, the 8th. century started with the broken in of the Islamism in the Iberian peninsula, which lasted until the 15th. century, upon the coming of the Catholic Monarchs.
Its after most development until becoming into a modern European city, it is enriched by the path of those races, cultures and creeds, which became into that special philosophy of life, with a mix of ancient scent and fresh air of that permanent open door which is the Mediterranean Sea.
Trace of that history are, the Roman theatre, discovered in 1951, which belonged to the republican epoch, although later, on (1st. century B.C.), were added marbles from Africa and Italy. The Alcazaba was a fortress built to defend the city from pirates, later, Badis el Ziri, King of Granada, transformed it into a beautiful palace. Atarazanas Gateway, the actual access to the central market, is the most representative trace of the Arab domination in town. It was built in
the 18th. century by Abderraman III.
The Cathedral, was started in 1528 and ended two and a half centuries later, its choir-stalls is the most remarkable in Spain.
The Museum of Arts, is located in the palace of the Counts of Buenavista, it shows a magnificent collection of pictures, painted by Zurbaran, Murillo, Morales, Herrera el Viejo. etc. The Pablo Picasso Museum, belongs to the recent history, showing the power of the malaguenian culture and its situation, at European level. Another important sign of this culture revival is the regain of the Cervantes Theatre.
HOLY WEEK
Malaga's Holy Week, is a very special one, baroque and noisy. The people come to the streets, packing the sidewalks, to watch its Christs and Virgins which on fabulous thrones are processioned, showing step by step the history of Christ Passion and his mother, the Virgin Mary sorrows. Each Malagueñan suffering themselves the same grief.
Places to be visited
Alcazaba
This is a Moorish construction of the 11th to 14th centuries, residence of the court and the soldiers that guarded it. It is certainly one of the most important historical buildings in the city, its outstanding architectural element being the tower that was built on Roman stone foundations and reconstructed in modern times. One of the inside arches, built in brick and stone, is especially interesting. Visiting times are 8.30 to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesdays, and
entrance is free. Due to restoration work in progress, only part of the building is currently open to the public.
Gibralfaro Castle
The Gibralfaro Castle, due to its strategic position on top of the hill, was an important element in the defence of the city. For this reason, perhaps, the city grew beneath the hill, and here have been found numerous archaeological remains. The recently restored castle now has an Interpretation Centre (not in the language sense) and a museum. Opening hours are 9.30 to 6 p.m., and entry is free.
Roman Theatre
This dates from the 1st century B.C., during the time of the Emperor Augustus. The Germanic invasions of the 3rd century A.D. left the building in ruins, and its stone blocks and columns were later used to build the Alcazaba, currently under restoration.
Catedral and Cathedral Museum
This is popularly known as La Manquita, since one of the towers was never finished. The interior is in the Renaissance style of the 16th century, while the main façade belongs to the 18th century baroque style. Building work began in the 16th century and since then the cathedral has undergone a great deal of restoration work. Of special interest on the outside is the relief sculpture of the Annunciation and the patron saints of the city, San Ciriaco and
Santa Paula. Opening hours 9 to 6.45, closed on Sundays and festivals.
Picasso birthplace
The seat of the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation is here, inaugurated by the King and Queen of Spain in 1988. Housed inside are a total of 2500 pieces, ranging from ancient Iberian art to the contemporary, along with the Picasso works donated by his heirs. These comprise ceramic and graphic work dating from 1923 to 1971. The Foundation is involved in three different areas of activity: the Documentation Centre that specialises in the works of Picasso, the organisation of events related to
contemporary art and the Museum itself. It is situated in the Plaza de la Merced, and opening times are 11 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., opening only in the mornings on Sundays.
Jardín de La Concepción
These gardens are beside the Park, and are considered to have one of the best collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants and flowers in Europe. It was built by the Malaga nobility in the 19th century, and has a small archaeological museum with pierces from the Roman period. Carretera de las Pedrizas. Open: 10 a.m. beginning of final visit of the day and closing time: 7.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Museum of Arts and Popular Customs
Antiguo Mesón de la Victoria, built in 1632. Pasillo de Santa Isabel. Opening times: from 10 to 1.30 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays. |
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