Discover Antequera's SecretsAntequera "The Heart of Andalucia."577 meters above sea-level. 47 km north of Málaga 37º 01´N, 4º34’Population census of 41,197 (2002).Over 800 square kilometres, make this elegant city one of the largest municipalities in Spain. It connects with Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, and Seville. Historically, it was a strategic geographical point. Approaching Antequera, immense fertile plains flank either side of the highway. Not a house in sight, except an occasional farmhouse - for miles and miles. Cultivated crops are cereals, asparagus and sunflowers.
Driving through these vast expanses, an (imaginative) sixth sense tweaks one to muse, that you might just glimpse a Sancho Panza or Don Quixote, riding into the horizon, where it peaks into the blue, blue Andalucian skies - although correctly speaking, (they both belong to La Mancha region). Where terrain changes, the flats are contrasted with thousands of symmetrical olive groves. Craggy peaks jut up displaying lush pine woodlands. Antequera lies at the base of the El Torcal and El Arco Calizo Chimnea mountain ranges, which encircle and protect the city, in an extended horseshoe-shape. The best views are undoubtedly from the walls of the Alcazaba fortress. It is a privileged viewpoint, revealing impressive scenery. To your right is the Peña de los Enamorados, a craggy 800 metre limestone rock. From a distance, it appears to have similar features, to that of a human face.
This ‘Lovers Peak’ is the perfect equilvalent of a Spanish Romeo and Juliette... During the Middle Ages, Antequera was a fiercely fought-over Moorish frontier against the reconquering Christians. A young Christian solidier Tello, was captured and made prisoner. The daughter of the ruling Muslim leader Tazgona, (her social status comparable to a Princess) accompanied her father, while visiting the handsome warrior. Unexpectedly, Tazgona and Tello fell profoundly in love. She returned to visit him (secretly) several times. Mixed religious marriages were impossible during the conflictive reconquista times of Spain. There was no future for the young lovers, if they stayed where they were. Finally, they decided to run away. Managing to flee from the prison, guards soon discovered their disappearance. The Princess's father led his troops in hot pursuit, in order to seek their capture. Despite, obvious fears for his daughter, he was forced to make a (loyalty example) of Muslim rule and of obedience to his troops. The lovers daring escape began to lose ground. Moorish armed forces were fast closing the distance of the fleeing couple. The couple reached a huge rocky peak on the city outskirts and decided to scale it. Reaching the summit, soldiers were able to take aim. The couple edged to the brink. There was no escape: except capture; separation and a certain death for Tello. They leapt...
Antequera, Lover's Peak The 300º views from the Alhambra's walls are stunning… Far below is the ancient part of the city. High above and away from the city's business-world bustle, observing this breathtaking panorama, you realise, there reigns utter peace. Children’s voices and laughter drift upwards from a nearby school, accompanied by trills of varied bird song. Every quarter-hour, (one of the many Antequerian church bells) chime, marking the passage of time. Scanning the low-rise, city skyline, it is quite revealing, how many churches and convents this city proudly reveals. Over eleven church spires, (Renaissance, Gothic or Baroque), project above the rooftops. Whitewashed homes, contrast the red brickwork of the convents, churches and ancestral homes.
Downtown traffic rumbles on the timeworn, but wellkept, cobblestoned streets.
Behind the Alcazaba walls is the Giant’s Arch. History of Antequera.Occupied by the Iberians, and later, the Tudetas, Antequera became part of the Roman Empire. Its Roman name was Antikaria, (chronicled, as a leading olive-oil centre). The Visigoths attacked and conquered it, and in 711, Berbers from North Africa invaded it.The Moors renamed it Medina Antaquira. For over two hundred years, the Moors tried to protect it from the Christian Kings. Finally, the Moors were driven away. September 16, 1410, Ferdinand 1 of Aragon, regained the dominion of this much sought after city. Antikaria was a very apt name for the city.Indeed the city seems to be an Antiquarian’s paradise. Antequera’s golden period of expansion developed from 1410 when the Christians conquest occurred, through to the 16th and 17th centuries. Its exceptional situation attracted wealthy merchants and aristocratic families to reside there. As a result, an astonishing amount of monuments, museums, churches, convents, palaces and ancestral homes, were built during the golden period. While creating outstanding residences for the past resident philanthropic society, many artists and artisans, poets and writers also settled. Antequera thus developed in multi-styles of art and architecture. The city advanced and became an important Andalucían cultural centre. Its museums have 80% of all the art treasures in the province of Málaga. The architectural history of Antequera dates back as far as the Bronze Age. There are two huge Bronze Age dolmen burial mounds, known as the Dólmen de Menga and the Dólmen de Viera. These are the largest megalithic structures in Europe. Historically, Antequeran economy was based on: olives, grain and wool as well as furniture manufacturing. Molletes de Antequera is a favourite breakfast roll, consumed massively throughout the whole province and indeed Spain. However, today, tourism has become the main economy motor. There is no detail that is not carefully planned. Communications are excellent by road and by the AVE (highspeed train). An airport is planned for the future. EL TORCAL DE ANTEQUERABehind the Alcazaba walls is the Giant’s Arch.History of Antequera.Occupied by the Iberians, and later, the Tudetas, Antequera became part of the Roman Empire. Its Roman name was Antikaria, (chronicled, as a leading olive-oil centre). The Visigoths attacked and conquered it, and in 711, Berbers from North Africa invaded it.The Moors renamed it Medina Antaquira. For over two hundred years, the Moors tried to protect it from the Christian Kings. Finally, the Moors were driven away. September 16, 1410, Ferdinand 1 of Aragon, regained the dominion of this much sought after city. Antikaria was a very apt name for the city.Indeed the city seems to be an Antiquarian’s paradise. Antequera’s golden period of expansion developed from 1410 when the Christians conquest occurred, through to the 16th and 17th centuries. Its exceptional situation attracted wealthy merchants and aristocratic families to reside there. As a result, an astonishing amount of monuments, museums, churches, convents, palaces and ancestral homes, were built during the golden period. While creating outstanding residences for the past resident philanthropic society, many artists and artisans, poets and writers also settled. Antequera thus developed in multi-styles of art and architecture. The city advanced and became an important Andalucían cultural centre. Its museums have 80% of all the art treasures in the province of Málaga. The architectural history of Antequera dates back as far as the Bronze Age. There are two huge Bronze Age dolmen burial mounds, known as the Dólmen de Menga and the Dólmen de Viera. These are the largest megalithic structures in Europe. Historically, Antequeran economy was based on: olives, grain and wool as well as furniture manufacturing. Molletes de Antequera is a favourite breakfast roll, consumed massively throughout the whole province and indeed Spain. However, today, tourism has become the main economy motor. There is no detail that is not carefully planned. Communications are excellent by road and by the AVE (highspeed train). An airport is planned for the future. EL TORCAL DE ANTEQUERA
El Torcal (was voted first, in the National Patrimony 10 Wonders of Málaga.it is a protected Natural site). It is renowned for its impressive karstic landscape, limestone rock dissolved, forming fanciful rock formations, like the El Tornillo (The Screw). Water erosion and the wind’s blasting effects are famous on the Torcal de Antequera. The Sierra is 13 kms away from the city. It is the most important karstic landscape expanse in Andalucia, declared a protected nature spot in 1989 and simultaneously, has become a specially-protected area for birds. Three types of limestone are present: oolitic, brechoide y clastic. This residue originates from the Jurassic period 250 -150 million years ago. Accumulated seabed sediments combined, bonding salts and precipitations from marine decompositions. Pushed by the Alpine folding forces, these sediments emerged to the surface 1,000 metres above sea-level. The folding provoked extraordinary fault planes, dramatic cuts and fractures. Rain and snow penetrated the fissures; repeated thaws and freezes (from various Ice Ages) disintegrated the rock mass, leaving in its place the most spectacular and impressive scenery. The best time to observe this is in autumn or in the spring. Erosion caused whimsical and dramatic effects, producing remarkable alleys and faults. There are three marked-out walking routes in the park.Coloured-arrowed wooden sticks indicate the paths.
THE LAGUNA DE FUENTE PIEDRA.Also in Antequera is the amazing Laguna de Fuente Piedra. It is a declared natural reserve of international importance.The name translates as: The Fountain of the Stone Lagoon.A natural spring feeds the lagoon, and is known for its curative powers in healing kidney-stone related illnesses. The Laguna de Fuente Piedra is the second largest reserve in Spain. During the rainy seasons it extends to over 1,300 hectares surface. This Lagoon is home to a massive colony of pink flamingos. Activities here are: walking and bird watching. |
