Malaga

Neanderthal man lived in cave complexes near Malaga many thousands of years ago, this archaeology tells us. As time went on populace increased, & by the time the Bronze Age dawned human presence throughout the Costa was widespread.

Malaga itself took rather longer to emerge. The city was founded over 3000 years ago by Phoenician traders, though then called Malaca (probably originating from the word Malac – to salt). In fact they used the harbour area as a centre for salting fish. The fortress overlooking the city was also (originally) built by the Phoenicians & beneath it a collection of pottery & other remnants are on display.

In the 6th century BC the Phoenicians were replaced by the Greeks, who held the city for just 70 years until conquered by the Carthaginians. They of course were to be embroiled in the Punic wars (ending in 202BC) which saw them expelled from Malaga by the Romans, & eventually the entire peninsular (Spain).

Under Roman rule the city was renamed Flavia Malacita. Malaga quickly grew in importance, becoming a major colony, which in turn led to the Romanisation of the surrounding lands. Aqueducts, bath houses, temples, fortifications & government structures were built in & around the city, as well as farther along the coastline. In fact Julius Caesar himself was once a governor of Hispania Ulterior (the south & west of Spain) & is said to have spent time here.

By 476 AD the Roman Empire was in decline & Malaga was affected by large migrations & settlements of Germanic tribes. First the Vandals, Alani & Suevi peoples took power; though quickly followed by the Visigoths, who went on to conquer much of Spain.

The Moors (Arabs) brought about the next major change in the history of Malaga, & indeed much of southern Spain. In the 8th century AD they invaded the region after defeating a Hispanic-Visigoth army. Malaga then became the main port for the kingdom of Granada & the entire region was named Al-Andalus. Much progress was made during the years of Islamic rule. They brought with them advances in art & architecture. Also imported were oranges, palms & rice, in addition to the irrigation techniques needed to transform the arid landscape into fertile agricultural land. Some of Malaga’s most beautiful buildings & monuments were left behind by the Moors; such as the Alcazaba, & the La Puerta de Atarazanas gate (now the entrance to the central market).

Though the Moors held key areas in the South of Spain for a considerable length of time, the seats of power in the rest of the country were increasingly taken by Catholic kings. As time passed the Moors were tolerated less & less & before long the situation descended into hostilities. The first attempts at the conquest of Malaga took place in the 14th century, but it was not until August of 1487 that the city was finally overthrown. Much change took place; the first town square was built (constitution square), the convents of Trinidad & Victoria were founded, & many of the remaining Moors were compulsorily converted to Christianity.

A period of optimism was followed by a downturn in Malaga’s fortunes. The 16th & 17th centuries were plagued by epidemics & bad harvests, in addition to economical crisis as a result of the expulsion of the Moors. Little was to change (save the building of the cathedral) until the 20th century, which after a slow start was to change the city more than ever. Post war Europe demanded entertaining & this brought many celebrities to the Costa del Sol. This was quickly followed by a budding package tourism industry, focusing in the main on Torremolinos. With its international airport Malaga was to be the gateway for any travel to the region, & as a result it prospered. Quite how much it would prosper was unforeseeable; today it is Spain’s 5th most important city & much of it built with the income from the tourist industry.

Malaga tourism and travel information

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Parks & Gardens

Malaga boasts an excellent selection of nearby theme parks/amusement parks. Whether you are looking for a thrill seekers park with high roller-coasters, a wildlife safari adventure, a marine park with shows & strange looking fish, or a day out abseiling & rock climbing it is all available at short driving distance of Malaga. Those without a car need not despair, as transport connections are usually pretty good, especially from Malaga. See below files for information.

Tivoli World Amusement Park (Benalmadena)

The largest theme park/amusement park on the Costa del Sol is Tivoli World; in Arroyo de la Miel, near Benalmadena&ldots

Selwo Marina – Marine Park (Benalmadena)

Selwo Marina offers a mix of marine & bird life. The park is split into 4 themed areas each with different species in natural surroundings&ldots.

Benalmadena Sea Life Centre (Benalmadena)

The Benalmadena Sea Life Centre offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family as you explore the wonderful sea creatures of the marine world…

Selwo Aventura Safari Park (Estepona)

Selwo Aventura occupies over 100 hectares of land on mountainous terrain near Estepona. A unique offering it is a mix of Zoo, Safari Park & Adventure Park&ldots.

Malaga Fiestas

Spanish towns & cities are famous for their festivals (fiestas), & Malaga is no exception. There are many fiestas throughout its calendar, some larger than others. Here we list some of the more popular fiestas to look out for.

Easter week is celebrated in a bigger way in Andalucia than in the rest of the country. Neighbouring towns compete with one another in terms of the size & grandeur of events. Festivities in Malaga are amongst the best in Spain, taking on a carnival like atmosphere & doubling the cities population. They take the form of various processions starting near the Cathedral; some carrying magnificent effigies, other (mock) prisoners etc. The fiesta culminates on Easter Sunday with a colourful & vibrant “procession of the resurrected”.

Another popular fiesta is “Las Hogueras de San Juan” (Bonfires/Feast of St. John) on the 24th of June. Bonfires are lit on the beachfront & huge papier-mâché effigies are burnt upon them accompanied by fireworks. The tradition is to dip your feet in the sea just after midnight (for good luck). This is a fun festival with lots of eating, drinking & dancing. Be prepared to stay up late.

On July 16th & on the following Sunday local sailors honour their patroness La Virgen del Carmen. The event takes place around the marina at El Palo, amongst other locations. An effigy of the patroness is first paraded through the city streets & then out at sea aboard a flower laden boat, trailed by a flotilla of fishing boats. The evening culminates with much dancing & singing, as well as customary fireworks.

Every town/village in Andalucia province has its own summer feria/fair; Malaga’s summer fair takes place during the 3rd week of August. Originating in medieval times as an annual trading event Malaga’s fair has taken the shape of a 10 day long street party, also commemorating the re-conquest of the city by Isabella & Ferdinand in 1487. In the daytime events are centred around the Marques de Larios street (Malaga’s version of Bond Street) in the town centre. Cars are replaced by horses & much flamenco, eating & drinking take place. The evenings move towards the park area where there are grandeus firework displays & a huge fairground, open from 9pm until dawn.

Malaga Tourist

Malaga has been popular with foreign tourists for many years; though initially as a gateway to some of the Costa’s more exclusive offerings (namely Puerto Banus & Marbella). The Costa del Sol was promoted internationally for tourism as early as the 1940′s, though then attracting (mainly) native Spaniards. It was not until the 50′s that things really started to take off, with celebrities such as Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Marlon Brando, & European royalty visiting. Interest gathered pace & in 1962 the first flight connections were established between Malaga’s international airport & several major European cities. By 1968 a new terminal & control tower had been added, & that year 100,000 passengers passed through. The interest of the international community was official, & the package tour holiday industry was born. Many fishermen & farmers became hoteliers & restaurateurs as the Costa’s newfound business swept southwards from its starting point in Torremolinos.

Quite how much Malaga would prosper over the years was unforeseeable; today it is Spain’s 5th most important city, much of it built with the income from the tourist industry. Home to some 600,000 inhabitants it still performs a mixed role as a busy port & industrial centre, as well as the gateway to one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Strangely the city seems untainted by tourism, though it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Part of Malaga’s attraction is its intriguing layout, making it particularly appealing to explore. It is a maze of narrow streets, historic buildings & landmarks, quaint old fashioned shops, stately gardens, & bustling squares. Its people are welcoming & hospitable, & its atmosphere vibrant.

If you are visiting Malaga for the purpose of shopping, eating or for an evening drink the places to head for are the entwined Marques de Larios, Plaza de la Constitucion & Calle de Granada. These three streets form the backbone of the shopping district & the cities thriving nightlife. Most of the narrow side streets in the area are filled with tapas bars & bodegas (old fashioned wine shops). The weekends are of course the best time to enjoy the nightlife here, but do be aware it can become very busy, with many locals beginning their evening at 11/12pm & not returning home until the early hours.

Malaga is of course an ancient city; founded by Phoenician traders some 3000 years ago, & having experienced Carthaginian, Roman & Moorish rule. This has left an indelible mark on its people, culture & tradition, as well as a physical one in the form of countless architectural treasures. Most of the main sights are to be found (as is usually the case) around the town centre & port.

Any sightseeing tour of Malaga must begin with the infamous Alcazaba fortification & Gibralfaro castle, placed on a hilltop overlooking the older parts of the city. Below lays a Roman theatre (one of the first in Spain) & farther down still a captivating Muslim Patio with orange trees & brightly coloured flower beds. The cities Cathedral is worth a visit, itself an interesting mix of architectural styles resulting from the 200 or so years it took to construct. The Cathedral’s interior is now home to many artistic treasures, as is the nearby Bishop’s Palace, or at least the half of it that is home to the Museum of Religious Art. This leads us onto the 16th century Buena Vista Palace which houses the Museum of Fine Arts, a large establishment with 20 or so rooms showing many works including some of those by Picasso. Picasso is of course Malaga’s most famous son; the house where he was born (in the Plaza de Mercad) is open to the public, hosting an archive of his life & work. The last stop before the ancient city walls should be the Las Atarazanas market, an Arabic bazaar within the walls of an ancient (roofless) mosque; & to the Paseo del Parque (park promenade) a 100 year old botanical masterpiece.