Antequera
The town and valley are overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high, called La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lover's Leap". The name comes from a local legend about an impossible love affair between a young Christian man from Antequera and a beautiful Moorish girl from nearby Archidona, who were driven to the top of the cliff by the Moorish soldiers, where, rather than renounce their love, they chose to hurl themselves into the abyss.
One of Antequera's most impressive sights is its dolmens, located in a park to the west of the town, the most spectacular of which is the Cueva de la Menga. These megalithic mass tombs, made of huge slabs of rock, were created by the original Iberian people and date back 5,000 years. There are many such dolmens in Andalucía, but none as large as the Cueva de la Menga. When it was excavated in the nineteenth century, many hundreds of skeletons were found in its inner chamber.
Surrounding Antequera is rich farmland, one of Andalucia's most fertile areas, producing asparagus, cereals and olives. In the summer the fields are full of sunflowers.
A visit to the convent of the Descalzas is well worth it, the barefoot carmelitas on the square of the same name. Next to a revolving wooden door is a small counter with a display of baker products with prices attached. You pull a rope which rings a bell. A woman will say "si" whereupon you give your order and place your money in the tray. A hidden nun will spin the tray around and your pastries arrive.
If Spanish history is one of your interests Antequera is a must.
Historical Note :
The Romans called it Antikaria, meaning "ancient", a name modified to Antaqira by the Arabs.
Since time immemorial, it has been settled by different cultures and peoples.
From prehistoric times, specifically the Bronze Age, the area boasts important sites such as the dolmens at Menga, Viera and el Romeral, considered to be Europe’s most significant collection of such stones.
In addition to the growth of Antikaria, the Roman era also saw the development of Singilia Barba, the remains of which are located five kilometres from Antequera.
Important examples of military architecture remain from the Moslem period: Papabellotas Castle, the Malaga, El Agua and La Estrella Gates and remains of the old town walls. Antequera was conquered by the Infante Don Ferdinand of Antequera in 1410 and, henceforth, it became a border town between the Kingdoms of Castile and Granada.
During the Christian conquest, it was used as a base from which to launch offensives against the Kingdom of Granada.
Following the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs, Antequera underwent a population boom and significant urban development.
Accommodation :
Parador de Antequera Garcia del Olmo 55 rooms tel: 952 840 901
PROVINCE : Málaga
DISTANCE FROM THE CAPITAL (km) : 47
DISTANCE FROM Málaga (km) : 47
ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m) : 577
PLUVIOMETRÍA (l/m2) : 551
AREA (km2) : 817
Nº OF INHABITANTS : 40.239
NAME FOR PEOPLE : Antequeranos
POSTCODE : 29200
PHONE NUMBER FOR INFORMATION : Tourist Office: 952-70-25-05
