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Malaga
"The Pearl of Al-Andalus" is the name defining the perfect beauty of Malaga, a roduct of the mixture of European classicism and the mystery of the African lands.
The capital of the Costa del Sol is today one of the largest cities in Spain with more than 600.000 inhabitants and one of the fastest growing urban and economic growth indexes of Andalucia. With a wide municipal boundary, the city is located on the coast between the mouths of the Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce rivers, and surrounded by mountains which protect it from the cold from the interior.
 Monuments
The most important historical monument of Muslim Malaga is the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro castle, built between the XI and the XIV centuries and which are considered as one of the most important and complete fortified collections of Spain.
Presently, the Alcazaba is only partially open to tourism due to restoration works, meanwhile the Gibralfaro castle houses in its interior a small museum of military history.
At the feet of these two monuments the Teatro Romano is found with a large part of its stands and stage well conserved. Along with these monuments the neoclassical Palacio de la Aduana (Customhouse) is also found. Located earby the port one can find the unmistakable Farola (Lighthouse), the Plaza de Toros of Arabic style inaugurated in 1875, the new baroque style Ayuntamiento (City Hall), the old Hotel Miramar currently the Palacio de Justicia (Law Courts), both the works of the architect Guerrero Strachan and the Parque (Park) with subtropical species unique in Europe.
For its part, the Cathedral, situated upon the old Mezquitilla Mayor mixes a gothic floor with a renaissance and baroque elevation, extending its construction between the XVI and XVIII centuries. Its interior houses an interesting collection of sacred art, highlighting the choir, a work of Pedro de Mena, along with altarpieces, paintings and sculptures from Ventura Rodríguez, Niño de Guevara, Alonso Cano y Claudio Coello.
As well, the visitor must not forget to lose himself in the centre’s streets and visit some of the primitive parishes like the Sagrario next to the Cathedral, the Mártires of Santiago; the Palacio Episcopal (the Bishop’s Palace) or the Plaza de la Merced where the natal house of Picasso is located; la Casa del Consulado, in the Plaza de la Constitución; or the interesting and peaceful Museum of Art and Popular Culture.
Gastronomy
Fried fish is the king of Malagan gastronomy, but the Victorian anchovy and clams are of similar note. Andalusian gazpacho is outstanding as a first dish. Ajoblanco is another type of cold soup, made of a mixture of almonds, garlic, olive oil, dry bread, muscatel grapes, vinegar and salt.
Sports and Entertainment
The province offers a wide range of cultural, leisure activities and entertainments, making of Malaga an ideal framework for sports lovers. |
