| Málaga the Beautiful, as the city is known, stands at the
centre of the basin of the same name, between the mountains, the
River Guadalhorce and the coastal strip which leads to the Axarquia
region.
Throughout Málaga's history, its privileged geographic
situation has attracted travellers, merchants, settlers and warriors
who have left their mark on what is now a cosmopolitan, universal,
open, relaxed and hospitable city.
Its places of interest are far too numerous to mention in detail,
but here is a brief summary:
In the east is the suburb of El Palo, with its typical fishermen's
houses, coves, promenades and "pescaíto" (small
fried fish), which runs into the city's main promenade, the Paseo
Maritimo, with its beaches, the Malagueta district, the lighthouse
(which has become the symbol of the city) and the port breakwater,
which affords a beautiful panoramic view of the city. In the centre,
a walk through the Park, home to botanical species from around
the world, adapted here thanks to the city's benign climate, takes
us to the old centre of Málaga: the imposing Cathedral;
the Nazari Gibralfaro Castle; the Alcazaba fortress, renovated
for public usage; and the Roman Theatre, proof of the city's importance
in this era. Further up is the Plaza de la Merced square, site
of the house in which the artistic genius Picasso was born. Málaga
is also home to a number of interesting churches -St. John's,
St. James', St. Domingo's, and the Holy Martyrs-; St. Augustine's
Convent and the Episcopal Palace; and civil buildings such as
the Count of Buenavista's Palace and the Consulate House.
A stroll through the city 's streets evokes memories of its spectacular
Holy Week and grandiose Fair.
To the west and north of modern Málaga, the product of the urban
growth experienced in the 1960s, are the Misecordia Beaches, which
lead to the mouth of the River Guadalhorce, a protected AREA visited
by thousands of migratory birds.
The outskirts of the city are home to romantic gardens such as
La Consula and El Retiro in the suburb of Churriana, and, further
north, the Finca de la Concepcion and Hacienda de San Jose country
estates, evidence of the economic splendour of Málaga's
past.
Overlooking the city are the Málaga Mountains, a Natural
Park of extreme beauty and the ideal place from which to enjoy
its charms.
|
