Culture vultures looking for a change of scenery from their Marbella holiday home this summer should head to Malaga, which boasts more art venues and cultural tourist attractions than one could possibly visit in a week. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Pablo Picasso Museum
If you like your art whacky and influential, start at this one. Charting the artist’s progression from late 19th century art to modern art in 1973, a period Picasso hugely influenced, the museum at the Palacio de Buenavista in Malaga’s Old Town, Calle San Agustin 8, is an absolute must-see for anyone coming to Malaga. Also not to be missed for art lovers is a short trip down the road, to the Plaza de la Merced house where Picasso was born. It is now a museum and often stages temporary exhibitions. Admission is free for the last two hours of opening on Sundays.
2. Alcazaba Fortress
Built in the 11th century by Malaga’s Arab rulers, the fortress perches high above the city overlooking the sea, but is still overshadowed by Gibralfaro Castle, which was built in the 4th century as additional protection for the city and the fortress lower down on the hill. Although built for strategic purposes, the fortress was also a “home” for the ruling administrators, and so its interior resembles more of a palace than a fortified stronghold fit only for guards and “common” soldiers. Alcazaba today houses an archaeological museum, exhibiting many interesting finds from the ancient Roman and Arab world, including lovely Roman mosaics and Moorish ceramics. Located at Plaza de la Aduana in Alcazabilla 2, the fortress also offers free admission on Sundays after 2.00 pm.
3. Malaga Cathedral
Occupying the site of Malaga’s main mosque, the cathedral dates back to the 16th century and was built on this very spot as an emblem of Catholic rule returning to Spain, after the Moors were driven out. Sporting an exuberant blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, the cathedral took centuries to be constructed – and was never truly completed, as one of the towers is still missing. Located in Calle Molina Lario 9, Malaga Cathedral boasts two beautiful 18th century organs, a sculpture by Pedro de Mena and painting by Alonso Cano, as well as impressive carved choir stalls. Admission is free on Sundays.
4. Malaga’s Roman Amphitheatre
Further down from the Alcazaba, a Roman amphitheatre occupies the foot of the hill. Dating back to ca. 1 BC, the impressive amphitheatre lay hidden for centuries and was only discovered by chance in 1951. Parts of the stage, access corridors and tiered seating have thankfully survived the ravages of time. Located in Calle Alcazabilla 8, the amphitheatre allows modern visitors to get an idea of the importance Malaga had in Roman times. Admission is free all week.
5. Carmen Thyssen Málaga Museum
Housed in the splendid 16th century Palacio de Villalón in the heart of Malaga, the Carmen Thyssen Malaga Museum displays the amazing art collections of the widow of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. The collections focus mainly on 19th century art works from Andalucía, including masterpieces by Sorolla, Romero de Torres and Zurbarán. Situated in Calle Compañia 10, the museum also stages many temporary exhibitions throughout the year, as well as workshops and special events for very young art lovers. Admission to permanent collections is about 6.00 Euros per person, temporary exhibitions 4.50 Euros per person.
6. La Concepción Botanic Garden
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest botanic gardens, La Concepción was created in the middle of the 19th century by a plant-loving, green-fingered aristocratic couple. Jorge Loring Oyarzábal and his English wife Amalia Heredia Livermore created an idyllic, tropical paradise with lush green forest areas where one can enjoy plenty of shade on hot days, but there are also formal gardens which remind of the Elizabethan age’s enthusiasm for knot-gardens and geometric forms. It takes a little over an hour and a half to follow the basic route, but veering off into different corners of this little paradise one can easily spend most of the day there. Situated at Camino del Jardín Botánico 3, Carretera de Las Pedrizas, Km 166, the Botanic Gardens charge 5.20 Euros admission per person and are open daily.
Upon returning to one’s accommodation, one can either enjoy an al fresco meal in the garden of the Marbella holiday villa – or go to Puerto Banus, where outdoor cafés are very accommodating to artists sketching watercolour paintings of passing yachts.