History And Culture In The Costa Del Sol

The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s most popular locations along its coast and stretches along the Malaga province. Malaga is the capital city of this area in Spain’s Andalucian region and, unique to Malaga, is its high concentration of history in one small area. Whatever direction you travel in the city, you will find ruins, art and history dating back hundreds of years. Your culture experience does not need to end once the sun goes down, though. Thanks to this Mediterranean city’s vibrant nightlife, you can get a taste of the contemporary culture also.

An important monument to see while in Malaga is El Alcazaba which was the palace of the kings in the eleventh century surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains leading to a Roman Amphitheatre. Today, it is the Provincial Archaeological Museum. Here, you will find many fascinating exhibits showcasing pieces from other Mediterranean cultures and the Paleolithic times.

The Cathedral of Malaga is an important landmark of the area. It was founded by the Catholic Kings and took from 1528 to 1782 to build, though its east tower remains unfinished. It is sometimes referred to as the La Maquita, or One-Armed Lady. It is beautiful, nonetheless, with its exquisite façade and detailed architectural designs. The main alter is lit only by the natural light filtering in through the retro choir and choir area seating. You will also notice the beautiful paintings and wood carving structures throughout the cathedral.

In addition to Malaga’s museums and churches, Pablo Picasso’s home in the Plaza de la Merced is another must on any tour of the city. This famous artist and sculptor was born in Malaga in 1881. You can see his birthplace home as well as a new museum opened not too long ago where you can view some of his paintings.

Similar to all Andalucian cities, Malaga is a very friendly city which is evidenced in their everyday life both during the day and at night, especially when it is close to a holiday. Holidays are festive times often including a celebration like the Epiphany when there is a parade, Easter when there are ceremonies in the street, or the Flamenco Fair during the summer. However, you do not have to wait until a holiday celebration to experience the spirit of Andalucia. Along the boardwalk in the old fishermen’s neighborhood, you will find an endless selection of great restaurants, pubs and bars as well as locals singing their flamenco songs. The good news is that you can experience all of this in Malaga.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

Johnathan Bakers wrote essentially for www.alicante-spain.com , an online publication covering information on holiday . His articles on Malaga can be found on his site .