For those of us who have seen BEN HUR multiple times, the climax of the horse race in which Juda Ben Hur vanquishes his Roman friend Mesala, thanks to his legendary skills and his horses, has remained etched in our minds! The horses that enabled Ben Hur’s win were thoroughbreds from Andalucia in Spain! Andalucia is the ‘Mother of Spanish folklore’, and is the birthplace of Flamenco and bull-fighting, amongst others!
While SEVILLE the capital city of Andalucia, and GRANADA, the erstwhile seat of power of the Nasrid Dynasty from Syria that ruled Spain and built the magnificent ALHAMBRA Palace and Citadel are well known, the newly emerging star on the horizon is MALAGA, which is now first amongst equals, and is yet to be discovered by most tourists who follow the time honored tradition of making a beeline for MADRID and BARCELONA, then GRANADA, TOLEDO and SEVILLE!
Given my wayfarer’s penchant for “going off the beaten track”, I was truly delighted to commence our voyage in Spain in this happening metropolis. MALAGA with its remarkable architecture and museums, its cultural and gastronomical excellence! MALAGA is vibrant, chic, sexy, and sophisticated to a degree that took us by surprise! From the panoramic and spectacular perspectives from the ALCAZABA and GIBRALFARO castles , the majesty of the MALAGA CATHEDRAL, and the serenity of the LA CONCEPTION BOTANICAL GARDENS, to romantic couples making it out in the TAPAS CAFES and BARS that lends to its vibe, this city truly manifests the Spanish passion for living they call ‘LA DOLCE VITA’ with a gleam in their eyes!:-)
Just as VIENNA is the “City of MOZART”, MALAGA is the ‘City of PABLO PICASSO’, its most celebrated prodigal son, who was born and attained fame and fortune in this very city.
MALAGA also offers easy access to GRANADA, CORDOBA, SEVILLE, and the magical ‘BLANCO PUEBLOS’ or the iconic “White Villages” of MIJAS, MERJE and FRIGILIANA , that would evoke fond memories of the GREEK ISLES of Argos, Helios, Mykonos and Santorini, and should be de-rigueur for visitors to this amazing country!
Picturescape of the Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro from the Plaza Del Marina. These were citadels built as an extension of the Alhambra Palace and fortress in Granada, by the Nasrid Emirate to protect Malaga from incursions!
Ramparts of the Castillo de Gibralfaro overlooking Malaga, offering spectacular, breathtaking perspectives of this beautiful city and its Bay!
Another panoramic perspective of the castles of Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, from the city centre!
Bird’s eye view of the Cathedral of Malaga as seen from the apex of the Castillo de Gibralfaro!
Terms of endearment – ‘The Ladies of my Life’ in Malaga airport!
Inside the Castillo de Gibralfaro overlooking the city of Malaga.
A Panoramic perspective of Malaga’s skyline from the Castillo de Gibralfaro, especially the Bull Ring at the center, designed and built by José Ruiz y Blasco, Pablo Picasso’s father. The bull ring hosts two bull fights each year, both dedicated to the memory of Malaga’s celebrated prodigal son, Senor Pablo Picasso!
Panoramic perspective of the castles of Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, from the city centre!
Bird’s Eye View of the ‘Palacios de Malaga’, a palace now transformed into one of Malaga’s finest hotels, taken from the Castillo De Gibralfaro!
Bird’s eye view of some of the Palaces in Malaga transformed into opulent hotels from the Castillo de Gibralfaro!
Candid camera capture of a street side cafe in Malaga with a minstrel playing his violin.
Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or near the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, both lack of funds those donated to American Independence resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as “one armed woman”.
Bust of St. Mary adorning the Bishop’s residence astride the Malaga Cathedral. Ornate, opulent, and distinctly Greco-Roman in style!
Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, both lack of funds those donated to American Independence resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as “one armed woman”.
Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, both lack of funds those donated to American Independence resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as “one armed woman”.
A perspective of the Castillo de Gibralfaro from the Plaza Del Marina by the Bay of Malaga!
Candid camera capture of a busy street in Malaga, manifesting euphoria and joy in the wake of the Holiday Season!
Ornate sculptures embellishing the portal of the Cathedral of Malaga!
Bird’s Eye view of the Malaga skyline from the apex of the Castillo de Gibralfaro!
Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, both lack of funds those donated to American Independence resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as “one armed woman”.
Ornate sculpture adorning the City Hall of Malaga.
Ornate sculptures embellishing the Cathedral of Malaga!
Minstrel with his dog strumming his guitar playing festive tunes for tourists on Christmas! It was heartwarming to see him talking to his pet between songs, since this dog is likely all that he has for family!
Strolling on the Port of Malaga with an enchanting Schooner and Lighthouse in the background!
Senor Pablo Picasso relaxed on a bench outside his home in Malaga – he is Malaga’s most celebrated prodigal son!
Magnum Opei by PABLO PICASSO, adorning the Picasso Museum in Malaga!
Magnum Opei by PABLO PICASSO, adorning the Picasso Museum in Malaga!
Magnum Opei by PABLO PICASSO, adorning the Picasso Museum in Malaga!
Panoramic perspective of the Port of Malaga!
A schooner astride the Lighthouse at the Port of Malaga – a scene straight from Grimm’s Fairly Tales captured for posterity!
We were extremely fortunate to have stayed in our luxury resort in MIJAS COSTA, down the road from MALAGA, and truly enjoyed the unspeakably beautiful vistas of the beaches and the coast from our Suite!
We were extremely fortunate to have stayed in our luxury resort in MIJAS COSTA, down the road from MALAGA, and truly enjoyed the unspeakably beautiful vistas of the beaches and the coast from our Suite!
Breathtaking vista at MIJAS-COSTA the seaside resort town close to MALAGA where we stayed, and fond, indelible memories were created from a vacation experience we will remember for a long, long, time to come!