Surprising Malaga

Viva La Feria Shop with the display of Spanish Flamenco gowns, colourful tiled wall and a view of Malaga's narrow street.

Visiting Malaga, Spain last October was surprising to us because we never thought it to be such a beautiful, popular and refreshing City. We usually prefer to Travel to Europe during Spring or Fall to avoid the huge tourist crowds and also to beat the heat. After we arrived at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, we immediately walked to the Air France counter to ask them if they can change our flight to Malaga for an earlier flight? Air France told us that all flights to Malaga were fully booked! In October?!  When we finally boarded our full flight and arrived in Malaga, we finally understood why this City was such a popular destination of many Europeans from the British, the French, the Dutch, Scandinavians and Germans. It's the Beach, the warm weather, the Sun,  Spanish food, Spanish wine and beer. Another reason was the fresh breeze of Sea air coming from the ever blue Mediterranean Sea which we enjoyed during our stay. That Sea breeze was so refreshing and made our bodies feel to slow down.

Malaga is a major trading port in Southern Spain. The Phoenicians founded the City in 770BC. A City that have been greatly influenced by the Greeks, the Romans, the Moors and Christians. During the Reconquista in 1487, the Christians defeated the Muslims and thus began the Christianization of Malaga under the rule of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Malaga now is a major city with a major port and located within the Costa del Sol beaches of Southern Spain.

My Mother posing in front of the Plaza fountain. My mother instilled in us the love to travel and for adventure.

La Catedral de la Encarnacion

Completed  until 1782 in the Renaissance Style, the Cathedral is known as  La Manquita (The One-Armed Lady)  for the tower on the right was not finished. The Tower was not finished due to lack of funds during that time. Up to the present, the locals refused to finish it and just left the tower as unfinished. Above the Central Main Door is the Medallion of the Incarnation from which the cathedral was named as La Catedral de la Encarnacion, decicated to the Mother Mary.

The interior of the Cathedral was designed  in the Baroque style with grand columns, elaborate carved ceilings, stained windows and Grand Altars with Centuries old Religious Icons. The Cathedral has a rectangular floor with three naves in which 15 chapels and 25 altars were inserted. It was so huge inside. As every great Cathedral built, it made the visitor look up to view its grandness, beauty and to look up to God.

Facade of the Episcopal Palace beside the Cathedral.

Museums

This building of the Museo Picasso is the Birth place of Pablo Picasso. The art collection here is the private collection of Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, daughter-in-law and Grandson of Pablo Picasso.  Many of the artworks on the Collection have been exhibited before the public for the first time here in this Museum. The facade was under construction during our visit.  

Another Museum worth visiting is the Museo Carmen Thyssen which show case a private collection of Spanish paintings. One of them here was painted in 1854 by Manuel Cabral Aguado Bejarano.

Shopping

Shopping in Spain is one of my favourites. No exception here in Malaga where the shopping was fantastic!

Alcazaba and Teatro Romano

The picture above is the Alcazaba built on a Hill during the 11th Century overlooking the whole City of Malaga. The Alcazaba was thought to be built as a Fortress but was used by the Spanish Monarchs as their own Royal Palace up to the 17th Century. The Teatro Romano is evidence of the Roman influence on the City.

Entrance to the Alcazaba known as the Arch of Christ.

One of the many gardens inside the Alcazaba.

Views of Malaga from the Alcazaba

Even here at the Alcazaba, we sat down to admire the view and we felt the fresh sea breeze coming from the Mediterranean Sea.

Port of Malaga with the view of a Major Cruise liner taking port there.

During siesta time, back to the Hotel Rooftop pool for a swim and relaxation with this great view of the Cathedral. We stayed at the Vincci Seleccion Posada-del-Patio Hotel right in the Malaga Centre. The Hotel has a delicious and fabulous Breakfast Buffet offering Spanish cuisine.It is a walking distance to the Major sights and shopping areas. Their service is impeccable. Sometimes, when we departed early to join our day tours out of town, and cannot make it to Breakfast, the Hotel packed us our Breakfast in a bag filled generously with Tuna sandwich, Ham sandwich, apples, yogurts, cookies, Apple juice and bottles of Water. I will definitely go back to Malaga again. This time just to visit all of the Beaches along the coast and also to visit Morocco for a few more days. During that time in October, I dove into the pool for a swim and admired the gorgeous view.

Have a wonderful and adventurous weekend everyone!