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Cultural
Tourism in the Costa del Sol: a journey into history.
Spain
has been culturally enriched with contributions from all the people that
have ever benefited from its warm climate and fertile soil throughout
time. The cultural footprints left behind enable the enlightened
traveller to read this history as if it were a book.
Parietal
art from Palaeolithic period is well preserved in some caves in the
province. It is recommended to visit the Cueva de la Pileta near
Ronda and also the Cueva de doña Trinidad near Ardales, which
both have exceptional examples of these kind of paintings. There is
Neolithic evidence in the Cueva de Nerja, which is also well
worth a visit because of its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
More of these fantastic natural spectacles can also be seen at Goteras
(Mollina), Pulsera (Algarrobo) or in Hoyo de la Mina. The
Costa del Sol is rich in pottery and decoration from the Megalithic ages
and is of great national and global importance.
In
the region of Antequera you will find two of the most important ancient
monuments in Europe: the dolmens of Viera and Menga. The
mountainous region of Ronda also has monuments of significance, such as
the funeral monuments of Gigantes and the necropolis of the Tardónen
Villaneuva del Rosario and Alcaideen Villanueva de Algaidas, in
which a dowry from the bronze ages was found alongside evidence that
circumscribed the death. In the region there is also substantial
evidence of trading from the Phoenician period and one of the best
preserved sites lies at the mouth of the Guadalhorce, between Málaga
and Torremolinos.
Iberian
art is represented in the finds from the village of Lacipo
(Casares) and also in the Cerro de la Tortuga, close to Málaga.
Zoomorphic sculptures, amphoras and funeral artefacts are the main
examples. There is also evidence of a long Roman occupation in Málaga,
Antequera and Ronda; otherwise known during that period as Malaka,
Antikaria and Arunda. The most valued structural remains are the theatre
of Málaga, which dates from the Imperial period, the theatre of Acinipo
in Ronda and the hot baths of Las Bóvedas in Marbella. The most
important artistic artefact is El Efebo de Antequera, which is
made of bronze.
The
centuries of Visigothic domination have barely left much evidence of
their existence. There are a few burial grounds in Málaga, and an
interesting Paleochristian basilica stands out in San Pedro de Alcántara,
close to Marbella. The Arabic period has an extraordinary variety of
artefacts from the centuries of their domination and numerous wars
towards the end of the medieval ages. The Alcazaba and the castle
of Gibralfaro in Málaga stand out as excellent examples of
construction that pass reference to the development from the Caliphal
and Taifa period to the Yúsuf ben Názar dynasty.
Many
villages in the province have fortifications, but specifically in the
Guadalhorce valley. It is very interesting to note the Mozarabic
influence in the small stone church of Bobastro (Ardales) as
there are not many original mosques left. A Cathedral was built
over the mosque in Málaga. The best preserved example can be found in
Archidona and in the area of the Genal valley there are examples of
minarets and Mudejar influences. There also exists the remains of
beautiful civil architecture; the fantastic doorway of the Atarazanasen
market in Málaga and the baths in Ronda. The Mudejar period is a
fusion of Arabic and Christian styles and the best examples can be found
in Ronda (the convents of Santo Domingo and San Francisco) and
Antequera (the monastery of San Zoilo).
There
is also a splendid example of the these kind of influences in the Church
of Sagrario, which can be found next to the Cathedral of Málaga.
There
are many religious and civil examples of the Renaissance period to be
found in Málaga; the Town Hall of Marbella and the magnificent episcopal
palace of Málaga, the hospitals of San Juan de Dios and Bazán
in Marbella, and also San Marcos in Málaga. The Italian
influence is also reflected quite strongly in the towns of Antequera and
Ronda and the religious constructions are highly artistic. The effect
that the Reconquest had on the population is evident in the dynamism of
the religious art works that can be found throughout the whole of the
region.
The
greatest artistic accomplishment however, was during the Baroque period.
Examples can be seen in Ronda, in the Puente Viejo or the Palacio
de Mondragón, or in Vélez-Málaga, where there is the Casa
Consistorial. The churches are filled with wonderful statues,
especially those of Pedro de Mena. The best examples of artwork from
this period can be found in Antequera; the tower of San Sebastián,
the church of Santa Catalina and the palacio del Marqués de
Villaderías, amongst others. The monumental Cathedral of Málaga
and its chapels were finally completed in this period and reflect a
fantastic mixture of styles.
The
classical period is not as relevant, however the Plaza Ochavada
in Archidona and the Puente Nuevo in Ronda are both magnificent
examples of architecture from this age. An example from the short lived
Rococo period is exhibited in the palace and gardens of the Retiro
in Churriana, which is close to Málaga.
Málaga
experienced huge economic growth shortly after the Spanish Industrial
Revolution, which then results in an explosion of bourgeois
architecture. Examples of this kind of architecture can still be seen in
the centre of the city, the Alameda (positioned on ancient sandy
ground according to the rules of the XVIII century) and Larios street
(based on the geometric designs of Chicago, which helped to reorganise
the original chaotic layout of the city) and also the Park (in
which many new species from all around the world were planted, because
of its proximity to the port). In the east of the city, houses and
villas of a european design mix with the reappearance of neoregionalist
styles.
It
is well worth visiting all of the above places, however we have
summarised the additional historic and artistic places of interest for Málaga,
Antequera, Ronda, Marbella and Nerja:
Málaga
capital:
On a brief walk through this historic centre you can see; the Roman
theatre, the Alcazabaárabe and the castle of Gibralfaro, the
Palacio de la Aduana (built where the old port of Málaga used to
be and where the Park is now), the Palacio de Villalcázar,
the Cathedral, the Palacio Episcopal, the church of the Sagrario
and the hospital of San Marcos. Nineteenth century urban
development can be seen in the surrounding and adjacent streets;
constructions like the Casa del Corregidor, the Casa del
Consulado, the church of Santo Cristo, the Palacio Villalón
and if you follow the old Caballeros street you will find the Palacio
de Buenavista. Also, the historical gardens of La Concepción and
El Retiro are not far from the city centre.
Antequera:
There are two areas of great interest in this historic centre; in the
oldest part you have Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, el Arco
de los Gigantes, la Alcazaba, the convent of Carmen, San
Juan Bautista, the basilica of Santo Domingo and the hospital
of San Juan. The other areas can be reached from the square of San
Sebastián; the collegiate church of San Sebastián, the
convents of the Encarnación, Las Catalinas, San José,
La Victoria, Santa Eufemia, Belén and the Palacio
de los Marqueses de la Peña. If you have a chance to go to the
museum attached to the Palacio de Nájera, have a look at the 'Efebo
de Antequera'. Other areas of interest include the dolmens of Menga
and Viera.
Ronda:
Apart from the Tajo, the Alameda and the Mirador,
which you will be able to see from the bridge; this monumental city
houses one of the most spectacular bull rings in Spain, a
magnificent stone construction built in the XVIII century. Other places
of interest include; the arabic baths, la Puerta de Almoncábar,
the church of Santo Espíritu, and also the aristocratic houses
or palacios of Mondragón, Salvatierra, Casa del
Giganteo, la Posada de las Ánimas. Religious buildings of
significant interest are; the convent of Madre de Dios, the
monastery of Santo Domingo, Santa María la Mayor and the
church of Nuestra Señora de la Paz. The ruins of the amphitheatre
of Acinipo can also be seen within the city.
Marbella:
The Casa del Corregidor of Mudejar influence, the remains of the
Arabic castle, the hospital of San Juan de Dios and Bazán
are all places of interest. There are also the remains of a Roman villa
from the first century quite near to the city.
Nerja:
The main focal point of Nerja are its magnificent caves. Also
make sure to visit the Balcón de Europa and the church of El
Savador with its distinctive Mudejar mouldings.
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