Places
Like many countries that have a chequered history of conquest and being conquered another great aspect of Spain is the wealth of architectural treasures. Here is a selection that should not be missed:-
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Málaga
Alcazaba. This majestic fortress, where the Arab caliphs lived, was built in the 11th century, surrounded by two walled enclosures on a small promontory – it later underwent important alterations during the 14th century and in 1930.
Castillo de Gibralfaro. This impressive Arab castle, with walls that harmonise perfectly with the area, was built during the reign of Yusuf I (14th century).
Capilla del Ague. The building dates from 1800, and has a curious polygonal irregular plan roofed with hemispherical, plastered vaults.
Casa del Consulado. This charming neoclassic 18th century building is an authentic jewel of secular architecture.
Catedral. Work on this majestic monument known popularly as the ‘Manquita’ (one- handed) because one of its towers is unfinished, started in the first half of the 16th century, on the site of the old main mosque, and lasted for more than two centuries.
Convento de San Agustín. The origins of this convent, comprising a church, college and housing, go back to the 16th century.
Iglesia de los Santos Mártires. Built in the Gothic/Spanish Muslim style after the city of Málaga was recaptured from the Arabs, thanks to the Catholic Kings, who wanted to revive the veneration of the local martyrs, St Paula and St Ciriaco.
Iglesia de San Felipe Nerl. This 18th century church features a façade in two parts, of classical lines, flanked by two salient towers.
Iglesia de Santiago. Built on the site of a former mosque, its construction dates back to 1490, although only the central door, now blocked off remains of its original facade.
Iglesia del Sagrarlo. The facade, in the Elizabethan Gothic style, is of great beauty, with an outstanding sculpture of the Virgin and worshippers. The interior contains an ornate altarpiece.
Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Salud. The Jesuits ordered the construction of this church at the end of the 16th century, since the chapel of San Sebastian, where they were exercising their ministry, was too small for worship.
Palacio de Buenavista. An elegant and austere palace, built in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. The ornate façade, of stone with Mudejar influence, is one of the best examples of secular architecture in Málaga.
Palacio de la Aduana.
Neoclassic in inspiration, this building dates from 1788, when it replaced the old customs building.
Palacio del Marques de Valdeflores.
Despite suffering various alterations over time, this 18th century palace still boasts a sober façade of white marble, decorated with pilasters supporting a simple balcony.
u>Palacio Episcopal.An architectural group of several buildings of different styles occupying an entire block.
Plaza de Toros de la Malaguete. In 1874, the architect Joaquin Rucoba designed this picturesque ring in the neo Mudejar style, polygonal in plan, in 1874.
Teatro Romano. This magnificent theatre was built during the reign Of Augustus and is a key piece to the understanding of the history and development of the city of Málaga.
Alhaurín el Grande
Arco del Cobertizo. This ancient arch of Arabic origin formed the entrance to the original Arabic city and was probably part of a fortified enclosure protecting Alhaurín.
Ermita de San Sebastián. The origins of this beautiful chapel date back to the 15th century.
Ermlta de la Santa Vera Cruz. Its main feature is the singular triangular structure of its tower, in three sections.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnaclón. This beautiful church was built at the beginning of the 16th century on the site of the original mosque.
Molino Mmorisco. de los Corchos. This watermill, dates from 15th century is of special interest since it is one of few that remain in the province.
Torre de Hurique. Built during the Nasrid dynasty (13th-15th C) to defend the town from possible enemy attacks and for use as a refuge by the local population.
Álora
Capilla de la Veracruz. Part of the original charm of this peaceful 17th century sanctuary has been lost in the numerous reforms and alterations that it has undergone over time.
Castillo Árabe. This walled castle, dating back to remote times, stands on a small promontory, dominating Álora’s picturesque alleys.
Iglesia de la Encarnación. The most interesting aspects of this 17th century church are its main chapel, decorated with garlands, angels and sculptures that represent all Four Evangelists, and the beautiful 17th century frescos in the interior.
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Flores. This church, built in the 16th century and reformed several centuries later, lies a few kilometres from the centre of Álora.
Antequera
Alcazaba. Little remains of the former Arab fort located on top of a hill from which it seems to watch over the town.
Arco de los Gigantes. This monumental late Renaissance arch was built in 1585, following the design of the architect Francisco de Azurriola.
Colegiata de San Sebastián. The sober façade of Renaissance lines and the slender Baroque tower of brick with baked clay decorations, together with the notable collection of objects of sacred art that can be seen inside, make this collegiate church an indispensable place for art lovers to visit.
Convento de la Encarnación. A sober and austere building, the facade of which only emphasizes the entrance arch, set with reliefs of the Virgin and the Archangel Gabriel at the moment of the Annunciation.
Convento de la Madre de Dios. Work on this convent which surprises visitors with the great height of its brick walls and the beauty of its belfry tower, started in 1747 and was completed in 1761, to the design of Cristóbal García.
Convento Carmen. The church, the only part that remains of the original convent, contains splendid Mudejar artwork within its ancient walls, as well as a majestic major chapel.
Convento de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Particularly outstanding is the main altar of the church, presided over by a sober Baroque altarpiece with Salomonic columns.
Convento de San Agustín. The architect Diego de Vergara designed this convent with its singular façade in the middle of the 16th century.
Convento de San José. The elegant brick Baroque facade of the church, decorated with ornamental motifs in baked clay representing sirens, tritons and masks, is one of the architectural treasures of the city.
Convento de San Zollo o de San Francisco. The main attractions of this 16th century church are the elegant Mudejar art that covers the central nave and the sculpture known popularly as the Green Christ.
Convento de Santa Eufemia. This church, built between 1739 and 1763 by the master Cristóbal García, is notable for its belfry and the suspended niche of its patron saint
Dólmenes de Menga, Viera y El Romeral These form one of Europe’s most important group of dolmens. All three date from between 2500 and 1800 BC and belong to the Chalcolithic Age.
Iglesia de Belén. The interior of this Baroque church contains valuable sculptures.
Iglesia de Santa Maria de Jesus. The interior contains one of the most important icons of the Holy Week in Antequera: the Virgin of the Socorro Coronada.
Iglesia de Santiago. The facade of this church, dating back to 1519, which was built as a chapel, is especially interesting.
Palacio del Marques de Villadarlas The sober facade of this elegant 18th century building, of red stone, and its captivating interior courtyard, where the arches of brick rest on slender Tuscan columns, are the most important features of this magnificent palace.
Palacio de Nájera. The 18th century lookout tower, the work of master builder Nicolás Mejía of Antequera, is outstanding for the harmony of its lines and is considered an authentic jewel of Andalusian secular Baroque architecture.
Parroquia de San Juan Bautista. This old church houses the most symbolic image of Antequera, the Christ of the Health and of the Waters, the origins of which date from the beginning of the 17th century.
Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor. At the start of the 16th century, the Bishop of Málaga, Diego Ramírez de Villaescusa, ordered the construction of this beautiful Renaissance collegiate church, considered one of the best works of the city of Antequera.
Archidona
Castillo Árabe. Of the original Arab watchtower built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 13th on the orders of the first Nasrid dynasty Caliph, Alhamar, the outstanding element is the solid Gate of the Sun.
Convento de Santo Domingo. This sober and austere building, founded by the Count of Ureña in 1531, stands around a beautiful square courtyard.
Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia. A visit to this chapel, built on the remains of an ancient mosque, reveals columns dating from Arabic times and an interesting 15th century baptismal font.
Iglesia de Santa Ana. The unusual triangular tower of this church, built at the beginning of the 16th century and re-built in the 19th, as well as the valuable collection of religious art inside, are some of its most interesting elements.
Iglesia del Nazareno. A delicate and venerated statue of Jesus of Nazareth is the most valuable treasure of this 18th century church.
Ardales
Castillo. A steep hill, starting at the foot of the village of Ardales, leads through winding streets lined with white houses to the ruins of this former fortress, which dates back to the end of the 11th century.
Ciudad Mozárabe de Bobastro. This site contains numerous architectural and archaeological remains of a medieval settlement, dated according to the latest studies to the 11th century.
Cueva de Ardales. The cave, a few kilometres from the village, was discovered in 1821 and contains wall paintings from the Solutrian Period (20,000 years BC) of various animal figures.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Built at the end of the 15th century in the Mudejar style.
Benalmádena
Castillo de Bil-Bil The interesting decoration of tiles and bas reliefs, of Nasrid inspiration,the bright red facade and the Arabic style fountains are without doubt the most noteworthy elements of this splendid fortress built to the design of Enrique Atencia in the 1930s.
Castillo de Colomares. Built between 1987 and 1994 by Esteban Martin y Martin in honour of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America.
Iglesia de Santo Domingo. Little remains of the priginal 17th century church.
Torre Bermeja. This ancient defensive construction stands on the coast at the entrance to the Benalmádena Marina and is known popularly as the Bermeja (Red) Tower for the colour of the land on which it stands.
Coín
Convento de Santa Maria de la Encarnación. In 1742, this convent, built in the 15th century, was granted to a group of pious women for use as an orphanage.
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. Built in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Arab fort.
Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta. Built on the site where, according to tradition, the image of the Virgin of Fuensanta was found in 1487.
Estepona
Iglesia de la Virgen de los Remedios. It formed part of an old 18th century Franciscan monastery, and was abandoned by its monks during the dissolution.
Restos del castillo de Nicio. Various towers and pieces of wall are all that remain of this 9th century fort.
Torre del Reloj. This fine tower is all that remains of an old 15th century church.
Torres vigía. A series of towers built along the coast between the end of the 15th century and the start of the 16th.
Fuengirola
Castillo de Sohail. Abdul Rahman III ordered the building of this solid castle in the mid 10th century. It was practically destroyed during the Christian reconquest and rebuilt centuries later.
Finca del Secretario. A Roman site, discovered in 1970 during the building of a railway line. Valuable archaeological remains have been found during various excavations at this site.
Templo Romano de los Boliches. A group of unfinished pieces of white marble from the quarries of Mijas, arranged in the form of a Roman temple on the town’s marine parade.
Termas Romanas de Torreblanca. The Torreblanca site provides an insight into the history and development of Fuengirola through the numerous archaeological remains found here, belonging to some ancient Roman baths dating from the first century AD and from a visigoth cemetery containing 32 tombs.
Marbella
Ayuntamiento. One of the town’s most picturesque and beautiful buildings, it stands in the Plaza de los Naranjos in the old centre of Marbella.
Casa del Corregidor. The façade of this 16th century building, decorated with Gothic and Mudejar elements with Renaissance traces, is one of the most interesting and typical in Marbella.
Convento de la Santísima Trinidad. The interior of this church, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, contains a fine cloister with elegant columns.
Ermita del Calvarlo. Notable for its curious rectangular belfry to the right of the facade.
Hospital de San Juan de Dios. The facade of this 16th century building combines Renaissance, Gothic and Mudejar elements.
Iglesia de la Encarnación. The red stone Baroque entrance in the main façade of this 18th century church is surprisingly beautiful.
Iglesia del Santo Cristo. The origins of this church date back to the 15th century although it was rebuilt in the 18th when the third niche was added.
Mijas
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción. Its interior houses an interesting collection of Mudejar art and valuable paintings.
Santuario de la Virgen de la Peña The Brothers of Mercy excavated this small and venerated chapel in the rock in 1548. Its interior contains a beautiful statue of the virgin of the Rock
Nerja
Balcón de Europa. This unique viewpoint, the site of a 9th century fortified tower, provides a spectacular view of the Mediterranean.
Cueva de Nerja. Declared a National Monument it was discovered in 1959. The tour of its interior takes the visitor back to remote times and includes 22 wall paintings, probably of the auriñaciense period.
Ermita de las Angustias. Contains various frescos of great artistic interest attributed to the school of Alonso Cano.
Iglesia del Salvador. Built at the end of the 17th century as a structure with three naves, of which the central one is notable for its beautiful Mudejar framework ceiling.
Ronda
Baños Grebes. A clear example of the Arabs’ creative capacity, building started in the 13th century and was completed at the beginning of the 14th.
Casa del Gigante. A small palace built in the 14th century in the Spanish Arabic style.
Iglesia del Espiritu Santo. The most important feature of this 16th century church, comprising a single nave, is the Baroque main altar.
Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor Building started in the 15th century on the site of the old mosque and was completed two centuries later.
Minarete de San Sebastián. The three sections of this tower, dating from the 14th century, stand on a square plan.
Plaza de Toros. Since it opened its doors in the 18th century, this bullring has seen numerous afternoons of glory.
Palacio de Mondragón. This palace was the home of Hamet el Zegri, the last Arab Mayor of Ronda. The current building, dating from the 15th century, is in Mudejar style with a particularly elegant stone facade and houses the Municipal Museum.
Palacio de Salvatierra. The fascinating Baroque style façade is particularly interesting, being decorated with classical style columns and a delicate ironwork balcony on its upper part.
Puente Nuevo. Built during the 18th century with large stone columns, it connects the city’s old and new districts.
Puerta de Almocábar. Built in the 13th century but later completely restored.
Ruinas de Acinipo o Ronda la Vieja This archaeological site, on an ancient limestone plateau, contains the remains of a Roman theatre built in the first century AD.
Torre del Mar (Vélez Málaga)
Poblado de Toscanos. At this site, dating from the 8th century BC, the remains of a fish factory, a gate and several houses have been discovered.
Vélez-Málaga
Castillo de Vélez-Málaga. This ancient Arab fort, dating from the 13th century, has become the main tourist attraction of this beautiful place.
Convento de San Francisco. The most interesting feature of this 15th century architectural group is its original vaulted facade.
Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios . This small 17th century sanctuary houses the venerated statue of Our Lady of the Remedies, the town’s patron.
Iglesia de San Juan. The rococo decoration and the solid tower, topped with a delightful tiled spire, are its most notable features.
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. This 15th century Mudejar church has undergone numerous reforms and enlargements over time, resulting in a neoclassical appearance.
Iglesia de Santa Maria Is Mayor. Built on the site of an old mosque, its notable feature is its square brick tower.
Palacio de los Marqueses de Beniel. An elegant building in the Mudejar style, built in the 17th century, with Renaissance traces.
