Travel to Malaga, Spain ( Pt.2 )
Updated: Jul 17, 2022
Málaga, a fabulous Mediterranean city, located on Costa del Sol, Spain, is a great choice for your next travel destination. The city blends in a wonderful way its ancients Moorish past with contemporary ambience, rich culture, relaxing seafront area and pleasant climate.
Málaga offers a great variety of things to do and see.
here is Part 2, which presents the rest of the attractions and places you should visit.
Discover the ancient, historic sites of Málaga:
The Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano)
Located at the foot of the famous Alcazaba fortress, Malaga's Roman Theatre is the oldest historic monument of the city and one of the few remaining Roman ruins in Andalucia.
It was built in the time of Augustus in the 1st century BC and it was in use until the 3rd century AD.
After that, it was left to ruin for centuries, until the Moors settled in Andalucia in the 8th century.
Much of its construction material such as stones, columns and carved stones were later used by the Moors for building the Alcazaba.
In modern days, the theatre was rediscovered in 1951 and is now open throughout the year for visitors. In summer, it is used for open-air performances. It seats 220 spectators.
The site is accompanied by the Centro de Interpretación (visitors centre) which gives information about the history of the ruins and its subsequent excavation.
Alcazaba Fortress
Málaga's most important landmark is closely related to the ancient history of the town and is a must-visit attraction.
The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace and fortification, built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century on the ruins of a Roman bastion, and it is probably the most important military fortification remaining from the Hispanic-Arabic period.
It is also the best-preserved Moorish fortress palace in Spain and one of the two Moorish fortresses in the city, the other being the Castillo de Gibralfaro, situated above.
The Fortress is perched on the hillside of the mount of Gibralfaro, offering breathtaking views over the city, port and Mediterranean sea. It is also a great place for panoramic views over the Roman Theatre.
Alcazaba's original purpose was as a defence against pirates, thanks to its high strategic position.
The Fortress consists of 110 main towers and some smaller ones, with the Torre del Homenaje, Torre de la Vela and the Arco de Cristo being the most impressive ones.
Visitors can also see and enjoy relaxing gardens with fountains and beautiful ornaments of Muslim architecture.
Adjacent is a small archaeological museum, exhibiting Roman antiques, a collection of pottery, Moorish ceramics and other artefacts found on the site.
Gibralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibralfaro)
Standing above the Alcazaba, high on the Mount Gibralfaro hilltop, the Gibralfaro Castle is the second Moorish fortress in Malaga, dating back to the 10th century.
Although now mostly in ruins, the castle is a significant ancient site known for its remarkable history and splendid panoramic vistas.
It was built in the 10th century on a former Phoenician enclosure and lighthouse by Abd-al-Rahman III, the Caliph of Cordoba and later in the 14th century enlarged by Yusef the First, the Sultan of Granada, who also added the double wall down to the Alcazaba that you see today.
The history of the castle is also related to its three-month siege by theCatholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.
You can reach Gibralfaro Castle either by walking up the steep hill following a cobbled path that starts from Alcazaba's entrance at Plaza Aduana, or you can get a car, taxi, bus No35 or even hop-on hop-off bus.
If you decide to walk up the hill, bear in mind that it takes at least 20 min walking up steep and at some places slippery cobbles, and in summer it gets quite hot. So, take water with you and wear suitable shoes. On the positive note, you will enjoy amazing views along the way.
