Malaga

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Our friends and neighbours Laura and Doug are visiting with us in Estepona and after a couple of cloudy and rainy days, the weather cleared and we were able to enjoy some nice, warm sunshiny days while touring the immediate area before heading out to Cordoba which is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Estepona. The area around Cordoba is one of the largest olive growing regions in Spain and unlike Granada, which sits besides the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Cordoba is nestled in a valley surrounded by acres of olive and almond groves. During the Moor occupation of Andalusia, the city was once its capital before falling to the Conquistador’s. The Mezquita (Mosque in Spanish) is an astonishing structure that was started in the 8th century AD soon after the Muslim conquest of the area. Over the centuries it was expanded by various Sultans with a final iteration being a conversion to a Cathedral by the Catholic Kings. The Guadalquivir River, which is the only major navigable river in Spain, separates the city from the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the north and the arable plains in the south. Cordoba is a bit larger than Granada in population with each city providing distinctions from each other.

We have yet to spend much time in the City of Malaga and headed out to spend the day. As with other cities that are unfamiliar, we started with the “Hop on Hop off” bus that provides a good overview and highlights the main attractions. The center of Malaga is beautiful with lots of trees, parks, promenades and buildings that accentuates Spanish architecture. It has numerous Museums and Art galleries including the Picasso museum which is located in his childhood home. Unfortunately large sections of exhibits were closed for re-staging until March 19th thereby limiting the tours so we took a pass. We did visit the Carmen Thyssen gallery that featured a large collection of 19th Century Andalusian art with many pieces depicting everyday life in the 1800’s. Malaga was also occupied by the Moors and there remains a large Fortress (Alcazaba) and Castle (Gibralfaro), both sitting high above the city overlooking the Mediterranean. The Malaga harbour at one time was the center of economic activity and today still connects the area to many parts of Africa and beyond. There is far too much to see and do in a day so a return visit to the city will be in order.

We’ve noticed most of the communities that we’ve visited are very clean and well maintained. This may be a reflection of the Spanish culture but also, the result of a strong economy.

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Photos

With Laura and Doug
Taken while touring Puerto Banus in Marbella.

Inside prayer room of the Mezquita
There are dozens of columns many of which were imported from various places(ruins etc) therefore representing an eclectic range of designs and styles.

The Mihrab
The area where the Imam would lead prayer. It’s intricate work reflects a very sophisticated Muslim art.

The Catholic Alter
The contrast is striking between the Christian and Muslim sections of Mezquita!!

Yacht with helicopter pad owned by Swiss billionaire. It cost 160 million EU
There was another Yacht beside this one that was owned by a billionaire from Kazakhstan. Estimate cost $200,000,000 USD, 33 crew, $18-20 million annually to operate.