catherine
Joined: 10 Mar 2005
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:27 pm Post subject: Andalucia Spain - Málaga City |
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Málaga
Málaga is the major coastal city of Andalucia and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city with a gritty individualism untouched by tourism and, to a large extent, the passage of time. There is a large collection of tropical and sub-tropical ornamental plants in the park on 'La Alameda' in the centre of Málaga City. It has some spectacular palms such as the Washingtonias near the Customs house, excellent examples of large Kentias, as well as Arcantophoenix and Caryota. Araucaria. It also has the best Encephaaloaartos laurentianus of the peninsula, a Spathodea with large orange flowers, a Pandanos with countless stilt-like roots and the enormous Taxodius.
There is also a very rare tree the bottle tree - Chorisia insignis in the Muelle de Heredia, not far from the lovely Ficus retusa in the Avenue of La Alameda, which contains a curious date palm with nine trunks.
The Moors occupied the city until the mid fifteenth century, after which it grew to become one of the foremost merchant centres in the entire Iberian Peninsula. This illustrious past has left its imprint on the historic centre, particularly around La Alcazaba, a fortress, which dates back to 1065 and is now a fascinating archaeological museum. 3.000 years ago the Phoenicians landed in Málaga, they called it MALACA (probably from the word malac - to salt) and they used the harbour as an important centre for salting fish. The fortress overlooking Málaga was originally Phoenician and the interesting archaeological museum housed in the Moorish Castle, beneath this fortress contains Phoenician pottery excavated from the fortress and nearby burial grounds.
The Greeks followed the Phoenicians in the 6th century B.C. Málaga was further developed by the Romans, who colonised Spain in 218 B.C. and stayed for more than six centuries. They enlarged the fortress and built a theatre as its base, which is now partly excavated and open to the public. In 711 A.D. the Moors invaded Spain and called her Al-Andalus. Málaga became a major Moorish city and port, famed for Figs and Wine. It was one of the last Moorish cities to fall to the Christian conquerors, Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487.
Málaga's history is so visible as you walk around the city. It does not take much imagination to whisk yourself back to Roman times at the Roman theatre, or to the Moorish Court with its cooling foundations at the Castle. Or the splendid court of Isabella and Ferdinand at the great Cathedral or nearby 16th century Palace which houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
Also worth a visit is the nearby castle, which was rebuilt by the Moors and is today a traditional Parador (state hotel) with superb panoramic views. During the nineteenth century, Málaga was a popular winter resort for the wealthy famed for its elegance and sophistication. The impressive park on Calle Alameda dates back to this era and is recognised as being one of the most celebrated botanical collections in Europe. During the winter, open-air concerts are held here every Sunday which makes a refreshing change from the bucket and spade scenario on the coast.
Pablo Picasso is the city’s famous son (not counting Antonio Banderas of course!) and there are several galleries showing his work, including the 16th century Museum of Fine Arts, adjacent to the Cathedral. His birthplace in Plaza Merced is today an archive of his life and works and open to the public; the entrance is absolutely free (so are all the services: Documentation Centre, exhibitions, museum, video projections...).
Málaga's main theatre is the Teatro Cervantes where Antonio Banderas once trod the boards. He still visits.
The best known local fare in Malaga is "pescaito frito", an assortment of fried fish, including small sardines and red mullet, best washed down with a glass of ice cold fino at one of the many old fashioned bodegas in town. But it is El Palo, to the east of the city, which is a typical fisherman’s village and the place to go if you want that veritable "catch of the day" freshness. In the centre try a tapas and a glass of Malaga wine at Malaga's oldest tapas bar called "Antigua Casa de la Guardia". Keep to the north side of the Alameda and find number 16. Things are still done the old way here, and they chalk the price of what you have drunk in front of you, on the counter, that looks as though it was brought over by the Romans
These days, Málaga prides itself on being a modern city with the heart of commerce dominated by Calle Larios, which is the local Bond Street equivalent. This is the recommended place to start exploring the city as it is surrounded by attractive small streets and plazas, as well as the magnificent cathedral (Renaissance cathedral with a Baroque façade and choir by Pedro de Mena), which offers daily-guided tours.
Finca de La Concepción is also on the road to Antequera, it has an impressive collection of palm trees, where the most remarkable one is the Chilean Palm (Jubaea chilensis). There are also some fine specimens of Ficus and many sub-tropical flowering plants including Strelitzia nicolai which stands over four metres high and the Alpinia cerumbet with its large flowers. Recent marketing efforts by these Gardens and ease of access have increased their popularity in recent years.
There is a City tour bus available every hour from outside the railway station, as the gardens at Finca de La Concepción is quite away outside the city. |
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