Antequera, Málaga. Cultural and Natural Heritage on top of a white village in Andalucia.

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Antequera, in the province of Malaga and to 50 km from the city of Málaga, We await us with a valuable cultural heritage, Natural and traditions of the region.

From the city of Málaga, the highway A45 us about in 1 hour 15 minutes and Off46 approximately 50 minutes. Both ways can be enjoyed from the moment we left an interesting landscape, arid, with whimsical shapes of the mountains are silhouetted in the Andalusian sky. We can also take a high speed train (AVE) until Antequera – Saint Ana and from there connect to a bus to the city center, in a total travel time of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. I think particularly, the visit to a site begins when we started our trip and that is pleasing enjoy it from that time.

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The Romans founded here called Anticaria city and then led to Medina Antakira when the city was dominated by the Arabs and then to its current name, at the time of Arab domination it was fortified constructed a fortress and the defensive wall. In the fifteenth century it was reconquered by the Castilians becoming important border center and starting point for new conquests, It is from that time that the city begins to expand strongly beyond the walls and due to continuous location consolidating itself as commercial and agricultural center. With an ancient antiquity as testified by archaeological remains and a continuous evolution at different times, Antequera offers great architectural richness visitors, in addition to the attractive Andalusian village, especially in summer when traditional celebrations are held and the atmosphere is special appeal.

Before penetrate in the city center to appreciate its rich heritage, it is possible to make a visit to Archaeological Dolmens of Antequera, only 3 km. Leaving the motorway A45, We take the A7282 and then crossing 6 Málaga street roundabouts take on which is located the Archaeological Site, the signs arranged along this road, They make it even easier to find the site.

The megalithic complex consists of dolmens Viera, me Y El Romeral and talks about the age of the area as an area inhabited by man and locating the region of Antequera in the Neolithic period. It is considered that in this period, in prehistory, arise the first monumental architectural forms. This set has been registered as a Cultural from 2009.

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Taking up the road to the urban area, and since the rise and getting closer to the center, you begin to appreciate one of the most outstanding sets within the Architectural Heritage which houses the city, as is the Monumental walls of the Alcazaba.

I before starting the climb, we recommend a tour of the city. Its streets always provide a good atmosphere and caminándolas find more than pleasant as well corners too much of the religious and civil heritage wealth, of a major city, by its location in the center of Andalusia it is and has been a strategic logistics point.

Among the main Convents, churches and religious buildings that make up the heritage can mention antequerano:

Convento de los Remedios, Infante Don Fernando on street. It houses the image of the Virgin patron saint of the city. Construction begins in the seventeenth century. Its plan is a Latin cross with nave and two aisles and chapels. Inside it is worth noting the main altarpiece.

The Collegiate Church of San Sebastian, in the square of the same name, It is a building that has undergone several expansions and renovations throughout its history and since the beginning of its construction in 1548. Highlights its tower, also several times amended and its Renaissance façade.

The Convent of Bethlehem on street Bethlehem, start construction in the first half of the seventeenth century. Its plan is a Latin cross and its facade of brick and stone quarried, It highlights the dome over the transept and baroque decoration.

Parish – Convent of the Holy Trinity, on Calle Cruz Blanca. The current building began its construction in the mid-seventeenth century. A Latin cross with a dome on the cruise, nave and aisles. In the early twentieth century it was affected by a fire and refaccionada.

Convent of the Mother of God of Monteagudo, on street Lucena, erected in the middle of the eighteenth century. Inside is admirable Baroque reflected in its compositional elements. Must inquire about visits to the interior are not always allowed.

Convent of the Capuchins, on the square of the same name. Begun in the seventeenth century has undergone several modifications, although the site corresponding to the first stage of construction. It can be seen as a simple building n lines.

Convent of the Incarnation, on street Incarnation, the late sixteenth century. Interior of a single ship with an own decorated Mudejar.

Convent of St. Catherine of Siena, Plaza del Coso Viejo. The current building was built on an earlier church. In the baroque facade decor features a small tower and inside.

Convent of Santa Eufemia, on street Bethlehem. Building early eighteenth century, octagonal. The convent albera the Museum Sta. Eufemia.

Convento de los Remedios, Infante Don Fernando on street. It houses the image of the Virgin patron saint of the city.

Among other churches we can mention: Church of Sant'Agostino, Church of San Juan, Church of San Jose, Church of Our Lady of Loreto, Church of San Juan de Dios, Church of Santa Maria de Jesus and the list. Numerous churches found in the city and which will certainly not be able to visit in one visit. It is advisable to approach the tourist information office where they can guide us in the visit according to our own interests. The tourist office Antequera is neighbor to the Plaza de San Sebastián.

In addition to the museums in some of the monasteries mentioned, we also found:

Museum of Art Council

City Museum of Antequera

Oil Museum

In different parts of the city skyline are what have been the access points to the same, Malaga Gate, Estepa Gate, Granada Gate, well preserved and rich in its architecture.

There are also numerous sources, sculptures and squares of the city that we find in our tour and some of the latter will be worth pausing to regain energy and enjoy the atmosphere. So also we find several houses and palaces notables many of which will surprise us by the richness of the elements that compose.

Continued our way up, arrive at Arch of the Giants, marking the path leading to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore which is located at the foot of the Alcazaba. The Arch of the Giants was built in 1585 It shows the presence of the late Renaissance in its architecture.

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We arrived and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the first Renaissance building in Andalusia, built in the sixteenth century. Its facade is admirable, made in stone. It was declared a National Monument. It is remarkable that we can appreciate Moorish dome above the main altar. Next to the Collegiate Church are the remains of the Roman terms we can also visit. And from this point we can get wonderful views, both the natural environment and the white village in which we note as highlight the various towers of churches and convents.

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finally we arrived at perhaps the most important monument in Antequera, the Alcazaba, rectangular and which highlights the towers that emphasize the morphology of the walled part of the Islamic medina, old quarter of a Muslim city. On one of the towers were built in the late sixteenth century bell tower which houses the largest bell city, attached to this through the wall is the other tower called Torre Blanca.

After admiring and tour the Alcazaba, it is advisable to stop and admire the wonderful views of the city and surrounding that allows the position crowning the hill that has this building and the various viewpoints that are around.

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It is worth mentioning known as Carnage Roman thermal remains of the Moors in the vicinity and indicating the significance of the village at the time. Antequera leaving some 25 km north on A45.

 

As before mentioned, Antequera has rich heritage not only in the civil and religious buildings, on the archaeological remains and monuments, but also it has vast natural wealth.

A true monument that offers nature and the nearest town, to some 15 km from the center and worth a visit is known as El Torcal, which it has been declared by the Government of Andalusia as protected area, within the Natural Park Torcal Antequera. Here, The permanent wind action, The rain, ice have resulted in marine sediments which hosts this place and would have emerged from the sea millions of years ago, erosion thereof, generating wonderful conformations, labyrinths, caves and unusual rock forms that can be seen almost as natural sculptures on the limestone as it is known Torcal Tronillo

 

While I have focused primarily on the architectural heritage of the city, we should also mention other natural parks that we could visit near Antequera, which I list below.

– Defiladero Gaitanes Natural Park,a 32 km south of Antequera. A gorge that opens in the Guadalhorce river limestones forming a canyon approximately 3 kilometers reaching heights 300 meters and a width of about 10 meters, the place known as El Chorro. It also has a rich variety of flora and fauna. They can practice water sports such as climbing or. For a visit must be requested in advance..

– Laguna de Fuente de Piedra 30 km of Antequera.

– Rock of love, It is a curious way that takes the rock and can be seen from the previous path at the entrance to Antequera.

– Pinar del Hacho about 4 km from city center.

 

Antequera, a good ride for both lovers of Cultural Heritage built, archaeological sites and for those nature lovers. Very close to Malaga. A break away only 50 kilometers from the Malaga coast.