Many people assume the Costa del Sol’s crown jewel Marbella is a modern resort with nothing but high-rise hotels and luxury apartments lining the seafront. Nothing could be further from the truth. Residents of Marbella enjoy the Old Town and Marbella’s heritage as much as their sea front condo with sun terrace and communal pool!
Archaeological digs have shown that Marbella’s origins date back to at least the 7th century BC, when Punic and Phoenician settlements first began to line the Costa del Sol. After Roman and later Arab arrival in Spain the settlements expanded and traces of these cultural transformations and influences can still be seen in Marbella’s historic city centre today.
The city really started its existence in 206 BC, when the ancient Romans founded Salduba on the site. The Gualdalmina Thermal Baths and the Villa Romana de Rio Verde are just two reminders of those early settlers enjoying the beaches and sunshine as much as modern day holidaymakers do.
Las Bóvedas, also known as the Marbella Vaults, are the remains of Roman baths. The ancient Romans loved to bathe and relax in splendidly decorated surroundings after a long day’s debating at the senate, doing business or conquering other lands!
The city’s San Pedro area is blessed with the richest Roman finds in the city and the famous Villa Romana de Rio Verde is situated at the edge of this district. Both remains date back around 2,000 years. A Roman bridge is also among the highlights. Collectively the Roman area of Marbella’s historic centre is known as the El Casco Antiguo, The Old Town.
Standing at the banks of the Verde River, the famous Roman Villa de Rio Verde once boasted many artefacts and treasures, including a splendid array of mosaic floors. Various coins and pottery artefacts were unearthed during excavations and these are displayed at the aforementioned museum, too.
Not quite so old but nonetheless very impressive are the Basilica Vega del Mar and the Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación. Both monument sites were extensively excavated and boast many antique treasures, finds which can now be enjoyed at the National Archaeological Museum. The Basilica dates back to the 4th century and, although a ruin now, it is still possible to see by its outlines how splendid this building must once have been.
Examples of Moorish occupation during the Middle Ages can be seen everywhere and lucky homeowners who have found a town house or apartment in the city’s old quarters will be familiar with the defensive walls the Moors built as part of the city defences, which once included the Alcazaba citadel and various lighthouses along the coast.
The Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación dates back to the 16th century and stands right in the heart of Marbella. Residents and holidaymakers alike love this lovely church, where regular masses and various religious events are held throughout the year. The stunning decorations of the interior, its beautiful façade and the three impressive naves are all reasons to visit – and Marbella property owners can enjoy the church with every religious festival and celebration.
Not everyone who seeks to buy property at the Costa del Sol wants a penthouse, condo or luxury villa with pool in a gated community. The white-washed houses in Marbella’s older districts have lots of character and are overlooked by some of the city’s loveliest churches. It is possible to buy luxury apartments just a couple of minutes’ walk from Marbella’s famous Orange Square, part of the maze of cobbled, winding streets that are so characteristic of the Old Town.
Far from being a “dusty old mausoleum” the Old Town has fashionable designer outlets and boutiques, galleries and trendy coffee shops, fine restaurant dinging to offer - and yes, also several museums!
If bought as an investment, such an apartment could bring in around EUR 650 to 800 per week during peak season and between EUR 500 and EUR 600 during other months. A more modest 1 bed, 1 bath apartment with 55 sqm floor space located in an older style development within a gated community in the centre of Marbella will attract long term rentals of around EUR 400.00 per month.