Antequera - The crossroads of Andalucia

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A visit to Antequera, the region's largest town, is to take a journey back in time to the Bronze Age. Archaeological discoveries near the city gates have unearthed the ancient Roman city of Signilla Barba with some fabulous mosaics and on the other side, the prehistoric dolmen caves of the Menga, Viera and El Romeral. These were megalithic mass tombs nearly 5000 years old, created by the original Iberian people.
 
Modern day Antequera is an enchanting town with its long history clearly visible. Built around a Moorish castle, its Gothic church spires and Baroque bell towers are surrounded by a patchwork of ploughed fields cultivated for asparagus, olives, almonds and yellow sunflowers. Known as the City of Monuments because there is virtually one in every street, points of special interest are the recently excavated Roman baths, the Renaissance church of Santa Maria la Mayor, the Baroque church of El Carmen which contains one of the finest altarpieces in all Spain, the 19th century bull ring and the Arch of the Giants, built in 1585.

Antequera lies 47 km (22 miles) north of the city of Málaga, at the foot of the mountain ranges El Torcal and El Arco Calizo Chimenea, 575 m above mean sea level. It overlooks the fertile valley bounded to the south by the Sierra de los Torcales, and to the north by the river Guadalhorce. It occupies a commanding position, while the remains of its walls, and of a fine Moorish castle on a rock that overhangs the town, show how admirably its natural defences were supplemented by art. At 817 km², the municipality is the largest, in terms of area, in the province of Málaga and one of the largest in Spain. The population is 41,197 (2002 census).

The saltwater lagoon Fuente de Piedra, which is one of the few nesting places of the Greater Flamingo in Europe, and the limestone rock formation of the Torcal, a nature reserve and popular spot for climbers, are nearby. Across the Guadalhorce is the remarkable "Lovers' Rock" (la Peña de los Enamorados), named after the legend of a young Christian man and his Moorish lover who threw themselves from the rock together while being chased by Moorish soldiers; this romantic legend was adapted by Robert Southey in his Laila and Manuel. In the eastern suburbs there is one of the largest burial mounds in Spain, dating from the Bronze Age, and with subterranean chambers excavated to a depth of 65 feet.

Historically, the region's economy was based on the production and processing of agricultural products (olives, grain, and wool), as well as furniture manufacturing. Today, tourism is the main industry, and there are an increasing number of international visitors. The city's museums have about 80% of all the art treasures in the province of Málaga, which makes it one of the cultural centres of Andalusia.

Significant buildings include many fine churches, the 18th century Palace of Nájera, now the Municipal Museum, and the early 16th century Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor, a designated national monument that overlooks the whole town. The bullring, dating from 1848, was rebuilt beginning in 1984, in a style that reflects the city's diverse architectural influences, and is considered one of the most attractive bullrings in Spain. Antequera contains a fine arch, erected in 1595 in honour of Philip II, and partly constructed of inscribed Roman masonry.

The Convento de las Descalzas, an enclosed order of Carmelite nuns offers the modern day traveller a unique insight into an almost forgotten way of life. The order sells pastries and bread to the public, but are not allowed visual contact with the outside world, so the transactions are carried out by means of a bell-rope and a revolving wooden door.