Austerity or not, Malaga must have one of the most modern cruise ship facilities in the modern world. Long sea side avenues, parks, a line up of elegant shops, side walk cafes and restaurants, exhibition halls and art galleries, fountains and playgrounds....all somewhat related to the fact that Spain is part of the European Monetary Union and thus had - in the past - access to generous financial support.
Like all well known European cities, this one goes back even prior to the Phoenician's arrival 50 years after Troy was destroyed in 1184 BC. The Phoenicians called it Malacca (Goddess) which refers to Astarte, Goddess of Fertility.
When Moorish rule took over much later around 711 AD with General Tariq, the city's hybrid culture was started. Moorish Alcazaba was started then, and later functioned as a palace fortress for the governing Muslims between 11th and 15th century, and Gibralfaro Castle, built in the 18th century above it on top of a hill towers over the old city.
The Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, set up camp here during the siege of Malaga 1487, which succeeded in 1492 to topple the last remnant of Moorish rule with the abdication of the last Islamic Ruler of Granada. Of course to drive the fact home to the population (same time as Columbus was trying to get his Discoveries financed) Los Catholicos destroyed much of the Moorish architecture to construct Christian edifices over the top of them. One example of that tactic is the present Cathedral, which stands on the foundation of a Muslim Mosque. It was built between the 16th and 18th century, but there was never enough money to complete both clock towers. The lack of a second one, earned her the name of La Manquita (one armed Lady). The time of Ferdinand and Isabella also marks the beginning of the infamous Spanish Inquisition.
Picasso is one of Malaga's modern era sons, and his boyhood home, the 17th century Buenavista Palace, is now one of four Picasso Museums in the world. It houses more than 150 of his works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.
I set out on my usual wanderings...climbing up the 'hill' to Castillo de Gibralfaro through a profusion of tropical plants, typical for the micro climate between the Mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the hot winds blowing from Africa. Quite a slug uphill, but the panoramic vista of the city, the sea and the mountains cape surrounding it was definitely worth a certain amount of huffing and puffing.
The bull ring, large enough for 60,000 spectators, was one of the most impressive sights. No fights at this time, a visit to the Bullfighting Museum would provide the only bull fight experience out of season.
I constrained myself to a 'Sangria' experience, which was about as bloody (sangre) as I wanted to be.
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| Interior of Malaga Cathedral |
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| Ceiling vaults of Malaga Cathedral |
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| La Manquita, the only bell tower of the Cathedral |
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| Sculpture in one of Malaga's many Plazas |
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| Malaga Old Town street |
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| Castillo de Gibralfaro, Malaga |
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| Townhall of Malaga |
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| Bullring of Malaga |
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| Painted Tiles |
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| The Old Customs House of Malaga |
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| Modern Glass structure at the new Waterfront Development |
30 April 2012 - Malaga, Spain
Austerity or not, Malaga must have one of the most modern cruise ship facilities in the modern world. Long sea side avenues, parks, a line up of elegant shops, side walk cafes and restaurants, exhibition halls and art galleries, fountains and playgrounds....all somewhat related to the fact that Spain is part of the European Monetary Union and thus had - in the past - access to generous financial support.
Like all well known European cities, this one goes back even prior to the Phoenician's arrival 50 years after Troy was destroyed in 1184 BC. The Phoenicians called it Malacca (Goddess) which refers to Astarte, Goddess of Fertility.
When Moorish rule took over much later around 711 AD with General Tariq, the city's hybrid culture was started. Moorish Alcazaba was started then, and later functioned as a palace fortress for the governing Muslims between 11th and 15th century, and Gibralfaro Castle, built in the 18th century above it on top of a hill towers over the old city.
The Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, set up camp here during the siege of Malaga 1487, which succeeded in 1492 to topple the last remnant of Moorish rule with the abdication of the last Islamic Ruler of Granada. Of course to drive the fact home to the population (same time as Columbus was trying to get his Discoveries financed) Los Catholicos destroyed much of the Moorish architecture to construct Christian edifices over the top of them. One example of that tactic is the present Cathedral, which stands on the foundation of a Muslim Mosque. It was built between the 16th and 18th century, but there was never enough money to complete both clock towers. The lack of a second one, earned her the name of La Manquita (one armed Lady). The time of Ferdinand and Isabella also marks the beginning of the infamous Spanish Inquisition.
Picasso is one of Malaga's modern era sons, and his boyhood home, the 17th century Buenavista Palace, is now one of four Picasso Museums in the world. It houses more than 150 of his works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.
I set out on my usual wanderings...climbing up the 'hill' to Castillo de Gibralfaro through a profusion of tropical plants, typical for the micro climate between the Mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the hot winds blowing from Africa. Quite a slug uphill, but the panoramic vista of the city, the sea and the mountains cape surrounding it was definitely worth a certain amount of huffing and puffing.
The bull ring, large enough for 60,000 spectators, was one of the most impressive sights. No fights at this time, a visit to the Bullfighting Museum would provide the only bull fight experience out of season.
I constrained myself to a 'Sangria' experience, which was about as bloody (sangre) as I wanted to be.
