Malaga

Malaga city Málaga is the major coastal city of Andalucía and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city with a gritty individualism and historic charm which is gradually being appreciated by tourists who, in the past, headed straight for the Costa resorts with barely a backwards glance. Admittedly, initial impressions can be discouraging as, like most Spanish cities, the shell is drab and industrial. But the kernel, the historic city centre, is fascinating, with its majestic, if peculiar, unfinished Gothic Cathedral, surrounded by sun-baked ochre buildings, narrow pedestrian streets and atmospheric bars.
The Moors occupied the city until the mid fifteenth century, after which it grew to become one of the foremost merchant centres in the entire Iberian Peninsula.3.000 years ago the Phoenicians landed in Málaga, they called it MALACA (probably from the word malac - to salt) and they used the harbour as an important centre for salting fish. The fortress overlooking Málaga was originally Phoenician and the interesting archaeological museum housed in the Moorish Castle, beneath this fortress contains Phoenician pottery excavated from the fortress and nearby burial grounds.
The Greeks followed the Phoenicians in the 6th century B.C. Málaga was further developed by the Romans, who colonised Spain in 218 B.C. and stayed for more than six centuries. They enlarged the fortress and built a theatre as its base, which is now partly excavated and open to the public. In 711 A.D. the Moors invaded Spain and called her Al-Andalus. Málaga became a major Moorish city and port, famed for Figs and Wine. It was one of the last Moorish cities to fall to the Christian conquerors, Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487.
Málaga's history is so visible as you walk around the city. It does not take much imagination to whisk yourself back to Roman times at the Roman theatre, or to the Moorish Court with its cooling foundations at the Castle. Or the splendid court of Isabella and Ferdinand at the great Cathedral or nearby 16th century Palace which houses the Malaga cathedral Museum of Fine Arts.
This illustrious past has left its imprint on the historic centre, particularly around La Alcazaba, a fortress which dates back to 1065 and is now a fascinating archaeological museum.
Also worth a visit is the nearby castle which was rebuilt by the Moors and is today a traditional parador (state hotel) with superb panoramic views. During the nineteenth century, Málaga was a popular winter resort for the wealthy famed for its elegance and sophistication. The flora-flanked park on Calle Alameda dates back to this era and is recognised as being one of the most celebrated botanical collections in Europe. During the winter, open air concerts are held here every Sunday which makes a refreshing change from the bucket and spade scenario on the coast.
Pablo Picasso is the city's famous son and a museum opened in 2003 dedicated to his work. His birthplace in Plaza Merced is today the Picasso Foundation. Visit the website...
The people of Malaga are proud of the fact that Picasso was born here and it was a big day when the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the long awaited Museo Picasso (Picasso Museum) on the 27th October 2003. On that first day alone almost 2,000 people visited. the museum, which is housed in the Palacio de Buenavista. You will find it right in the heart of the Historic Centre of the city, with the dramatic backdrop of the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle close by. Literally two minutes walking distance from Malaga Cathedral, this magnificent old building has been painstakingly restored to befit the importance of the works of the great artist.
If you are looking for the Museum for the first time, remember that just a couple of minutes away, in the Plaza de la El Corte ingles Merced, is the Casa Natal (Birthplace of Picasso), which has been open to the public since 1988. A decade later was refurbished and reopened by the King and Queen of Spain. There are now exhibition rooms in the Casa Natal, as well as pictures and a view of how life was for the artist in his early years in Malaga. Some people find the Casa Natal first and mistakenly think that this is the Picasso Museum and then go no further. Since the two buildings are only a few minutes distance apart, visiting them both in one day is both feasible and indeed recommended.
In high season, the Picasso Museum has proved so popular that a queue sometimes forms outside in the narrow pedestrian street, with Picasso 'aficionados' patiently waiting their turn to see the works of the great man.
As well as the 12 halls of permanent exhibition gallery, which includes such classic Picasso works as 'Olga Kokhlova with Mantilla (Barcelona 1917), Mother and Child (1921-1922) and Portrait of Paulo with white hat (1923), there are also many sketches and ceramics on display. In addition there are excellent temporary exhibitions, which are optional when you buy your entrance ticket and are exceptionally well received.
The Temporary Exhibition running from April 1st to July 3rd 2005 entitled Picasso, Toros (Picasso, Bulls). Picasso was fascinated by the whole bullfighting culture and he reflects this in many of his works, not only on canvas, but also as sculptures and sketches. No matter what your views are on bull fighting, it is particularly enlightening to see how Picasso captures the combination of violence, beauty and sensuality, which epitomizes the bullfight. The tension and anxiety of this theme is portrayed with deep sensitivity in the relationships between bull and bullfighter as well as the bull and the horse. Works brought together from a selection of private and public collections in Europe and America make up this stunning exhibition.

Roman and Phoenician Ruins in the basement
After you have seen the works of art, there is an unexpected treat when you go to the level beneath ground floor and see the beautifully preserved and sensitively displayed Roman and Phoenician ruins, which were discovered during the restoration of the building.
Bookshop
There is a bookshop, specialising in modern art publications on Picasso and his contemporaries.
Café
For light refreshments during your visit, the café, with a very pretty outer terrace area is open from 10:00 until half an hour from the museum closing time.
There is also an Auditorium where events such as lectures and courses are held. Contemporary theatre groups, musicians, and flamenco Artists often perform there too. Since this is constantly changing, it is best to ask at the Museum during your visit to see what's on.
Opening hours:
Tuesdays -Thursdays: 10:00 to 20:00
Fridays - Saturdays: 10:00 to 21:00
Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 to 20:00
CLOSED Mondays, Christmas Day and New Years Day
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve: 10:00 to 18:00
Museo Picasso
Palacio de Buenavista
c/ San Agustín, 8
29015 Málaga, España
Tel: (34) 952 127600
Fax: (34) 952 127607
Málaga's main theatre is the Teatro Cervantes where Antonio Banderas once trod the boards. He remains a regular patron.
As well as being a cultural centre, Málaga is also a great place to eat out. The Malagueños love their food and the bars and restaurants here are where the real social life takes place. The choice is unlimited and, on the whole, reasonable with some bars offering a menu of the day with bread and wine for as little as 7 euros. Tapas , small portions of many different dishes is an Andalusian tradition and a wonderfully inexpensive way to try a variety of local food.
Malaga old town The best known local fare in Málaga is " pescaito frito ", an assortment of fried fish, including small sardines and red mullet, best washed down with a glass of ice cold fino at one of the many old fashioned bodegas in town. But it is El Palo, to the east of the city which is a typical fisherman's village and the place to go if you want that veritable "catch of the day" freshness.
In the centre try a tapas and a glass of Málaga wine at Málaga's oldest tapas bar called " Antigua Casa de la Guardia " which is easy to find on the north side of the Alameda at number 16.
Málaga is always closed for the siesta period, so this is a perfect time for a long relaxing lunch.
These days, Málaga prides itself on being a modern city with the heart of commerce dominated by Calle Marqués de Larios which is the local Bond Street equivalent. This is the recommended place to start exploring the city as it is surrounded by attractive small streets and plazas, as well as the magnificent cathedral (Renaissance cathedral with a Baroque façade and choir by Pedro de Mena) which offers daily guided tours.