What to do in Antequera

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Antequera lies north of the province of Málaga, where it belongs, it is the largest in the province and one of the largest in Spain. It is known as "the heart of Andalusia" because it is located in the centre of Andalusia, is the main route between the Upper and Lower Andalusia and the Costa del Sol.

Being such a vast territory has three very distinct areas, the plains of Antequera depression, which is the most fertile and irrigated area, the area of mountains and hills and the countryside.

It is bordered by 16 municipalities of Malaga and one of Cordoba. It lies at an altitude of about 500m., it has a population of about 45,000 inhabitants and it is 50kms. from Málaga capital.

Antequera history

Archaeological discoveries of civilizations in the area are between 2000 and 2500 years b. C., from the Bronze Age we highlight the important deposits of the dolmens of Menga, the Romeral, Viera and the necropolis of Alcaide, considered the largest dolmens in Europe. Antequera is linked to the establishment by the Romans in the municipality of Antikaria, whose remains are located about 5kms. from the city.

There is also evidence of the passage of the Carthaginians by the remains found at the time of Asdrubal, in Cerro Leon. In the year 713 the Arabs, thanks to a treaty of their leader Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa Teodomiro the Visigoth king, annexed several cities of the peninsula, including Antaqira, as it was called then. In the Muslim period, there have been important findings, such as the Alcazaba, Malaga doors: Water and Star, as well as part of the defensive wall. Due to the strategic importance of the city in the Christians reconquest, Fernando himself took over the conquest of it, after almost six months of siege the Arabs got to leave the city, becoming since then as Fernando "from Antequera".

Under the rule of the Spaniards, the city began to develop demographically, thanks to its location, its fertile lands, its flourishing handicrafts and agriculture, but it was between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, when it became one of the most important cities of Andalusia, among others because of its important textile industry. The early nineteenth century was characterized by a decline in population and the near disappearance of religious architecture, mainly caused by epidemics.

But it was after 1830 when the textile trade and the agriculture revive, to return to market their products throughout Spain. In 1978 with the creation of the autonomous community of Andalusia, Antequera was proposed to be the capital of the community, the proposal did not prosper and Seville was the chosen one.

Antequera places of interest

Few people have an artistic and monumental heritage such as Antequera's, with over fifty civic and religious buildings, as well as archaeological sites.

Archaeological remains

The most important is the so-called "Dolmenes de Antequera", consisting of three graves that preserve the original mound.

Dolmen of Menga is dated 2500 years b. C., it is an oval chamber forming a covered gallery highlights the roof slab, about 6mts long and almost 7mts wide and it weighs approximately 180 tons, the approximate length of the whole structure is about 28 meters.

Dolmen of Romeral, it is the most modern of the three, it is located in the 1800 b. C. and presents some differences, such as a large gallery of about 26mts that leads to a funerary chamber, to continue with a smaller one dedicated to the offerings. It presents another difference such as the use of masonry walls and vaults.

Dolmen de Viera, it is estimated to belong to the Chalcolithic from the year 2000 a. C., built on an elevation, it is a gallery tomb covered with a mound of 50m in diameter, the camera is formed by five large slabs and the corridor is fully preserved.

There are also important remains of the Roman period, as the settlement of Gallumbar, the hot springs at the foot of the Collegiate, the Villa of the station and the area of Singilia Barba.

Royal Collegiate of Santa Maria Maggiore

It is a National Monument. Built by architect Pedro del Campo between 1514 and 1550, it is the first building designed in the Renaissance style in Spain. It has Basilica plan with three naves separated by Ionic columns, covered with wooden frames of Moorish style. The main chapel has Florentine type windows covered with a Mudejar Gothic vault. It is remarkable its impressive facade, certainly the most monumental of Antequera, it was built following the scheme of the triumphal arch and it is made entirely in stone. The Tower from the XVII century is a clashing added the rest of the set. The interior is devoid of ornamental and altarpieces, because the Church does not engage in worship, but to exhibitions and concerts.

Real Colegiata de San Sebastian

Its construction began between the years 1540-1548, originally it was built as a church, becoming Royal Collegiate in 1692, undergoing through a major transformation and beautification. It has a beautiful Renaissance façade divided into three parts, the lower forms columns of Corinthian capitals, the second part with niches with carved balusters and S. Peter S. Paul and S. Sebastian, on the upper arms of Emperor Charles V. It is important its brick tower constructed by maestro Andrés Burgueño in Baroque style, crowned with a weathervane angel, known as the Angelote. The tower is considered one of the symbols of the city.

Carmen's Church

This National Monument is one of the most important in Antequera. Its construction is dated between 1583 and 1663 and it belonged to the Carmelite Order shoes. The church, with some variations, following the Moorish model of Granada, with a nave, a chancel and side chapels well defined. On the side of the Epistle, there is the Capilla de la Soledad, which is an independent church with its nave and chancel. Of note is the Mudejar covering the nave, the plasterwork of the dome and walls, the majesty of the three altars in the Chapel, considered by its beauty and fundamental significance in the Andalusian Baroque altarpiece.

Church of Santa Maria de Jesus

Its construction began in mid-century XVI, the work lasted nearly 90 years, belonging to a Franciscan convent, during this time it has undergone many reforms, and it was nearly destroyed during the French invasion. The most interesting is the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, whose dressing-room, XVIII century, is decorated with beautiful plasterwork. In the rest of the Church there are important sculptures such as the one of Jesus and the Cross of Jerusalem, as well as paintings of the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Veronica.

Antequera Museums

Convent of the Discalced Museum

 Opened in 1999, it has a varied and important collection of works of art, including The Sorrows of Pedro de Mena, El Niño Jesus the shepherd of Francisco Salzillo. Tel 606855792 / 625057252.

Municipal Museum

 Located in the Palacio de Najera, century XVIII, among its works there is "The Efebo de Antequera" figure of the Roman era. Tel 952 704 021.

House of the Colarte

Museum of the Diputacion.- From the XVIII century, in it can be admired religious sculptures, a rich and rustic furniture in carved wood, a collection of paintings of the richest in the city and a variety of decorative objects such as rock crystal lamps, clocks etc., anything that can be found in a great manor house from the XVII century available for environments with great delicacy. You can visit it in the afternoon, Tel 952 840 561.

Oil Museum 

- Hojiblanca- Oil mills are exposed and demonstrations of the extraction of oil in antiquity. Tel 952 841 451.

Bull Museum

 Displays the history of the party in Spain and the local one of Antequera, it has an important collection of paintings on glass. Closed Monday.

Antequera Natural Landscape

The Torcal of Antequera

It is about 15kms from the city and it has an area of about 20kms2, it is considered one of the geological landscapes where its primary ecosystem has hardly been altered. The richness and variety of fauna, with about 150 species of vertebrate animals that inhabit it and its flora, with a wealth of botanical species, having cataloged 664 varieties of plants and a surreal landscape make it a natural site unique in Europe. It is considered as "Natural Area of National Interest." For information Tel. 952 702 505.

Fuente Piedra Lagoon

One of the most important wetlands in Europe and it is one of a set of six very similar gaps in vegetation, and influxes of birds. The lake is fed by an underground aquifer and rainfall, the salinity of it is produced by minerals deposited in the basin when mixed with water, this being one of its main features. It has the largest colony of flamingos in the Peninsula and the second in Europe, it receives between 14000-18000 couples which have there its place and space and have made Fuente de Piedra one of their favourite habitats. It is considered a Nature Reserve. For information and visits Tel. 952 111 050 and 952111715.

Antequera Entertainment

Wolf Park

Located on the outskirts of Antequera, the park offers 40 acres within its four species of wolves, as the target of Alaska, the Iberian, the Timber and European wolves, with guided tours, there are also rental horses. Carr Antequera-Alora km.16 A-343. Information about visiting hours Tel 952031107 / 666207377

Antequera Golf

18 hole par 72 courses designed by Jose Maria Cañizares. Situated between the mountains of Torcal and Vega, diversity in the layout of its streets, allowing the use of all clubs. It has a wide variety of aromatic plants and trees throughout the course. Tel 952845232 / 951701901
 

La Verónica Cinesur (Cinema)

8 rooms, Carr de Sevilla A-343 km6,5 Tel. 950706030.

Teatro Cine Torcal

3 rooms, c/ Ramón y Cajal 8, Tel. 952700135

Antequera Celebrations

May Fair or Spring

Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, its fundamental purpose is the sale of livestock and agricultural equipment, expanding over time to other recreational and competitive aspects of horses, photo exhibits and activities for tourism promotion.

August Fair

Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, it is one of Spain's oldest fair, its beginnings are in 1748, among other activities which take place there is the Procession of the Lord of Veronica, with "rociera" Mass and procession, horse hitch competition, bullfights, musical etc. completing a series of activities aimed at entertainment.

Festivities

Feast of the Virgin of Remedios.- On September 8th is celebrated the feast of the patron saint of the city. The image of the Virgin and Child is a carving of a red pine 70cmts. from the XVI century, in Renaissance style, which parades are adorned with a large collection of jewellery.

Procession of Santa Eugenia

It is usually performed on the second Saturday of September, in memory of the conquest of the city in 1410 by Christians, elected in that moment patron of the city.

Easter Week

Unlike other cities in Andalusia, Antequera keeps in this Week a number of key elements such as faith, art, history and tradition and a series of features unique to Andalusian Holy Week as "hermanacos" "el correr de la vega" or "el campanillero de lujo". There are nine fraternities and sororities to the processions during the week.

Antequera Restaurants

Gastronomy is another attraction to the tourist offer of Antequera and it is marked by Vega products, predominantly cereals, olive oil and vegetables. Among the most typical dishes is the "porra", also the garlic soup, and salad gazpachuelo thistle, hunt dishes such as goat grazing or rabbit cortijera, but its fame is mainly due to the baking furnace and the traditional oven and closing convents among the specialties there are "bienmesabe", "torrijas", "mantecados",etc. .. and we cannot forget "el mollete", a white bread crumb of Arab origin, lightly cooked, prepared by hand.

-El Angelote.- Andalusian cuisine, Pl Coso Viejo s/n, Tel. 952703465

-La Espuela.-Andalusian and author cuisine, c/ San Agustín 1, Tel. 952703031

-Parador de Antequera.- Paseo García del Olmo s/n, Tel. 952840261

-Caserío San Benito.- Autov. Córdoba-Málaga km108, Tel. 952111103

Antequera Bars and Pubs

-El Quijote.- Beer and tapas, c/ Obispo Muñoz Herrero 28, Tel. 952700171

-A la Fuerza.-Café, tea-room, live performances, Alameda de Andalucía 32.

-Bar Nico.- Restaurant and tapas, c/ Carrera 36

-Café de Indias.-Café and tea-room, c/ Cuesta de Talavera s/n, Tel. 952702046

-Bar Manolo.- Prepared tapas, c/ de la Calzada 24, Tel. 952841015

-Carrera.-Tapas, c/ de la Carrera 18, Tel. 952841878

-Gorki.- Wines y tapas, Plaza San Francisco s/n Tel. 952840349

-Mena y Lozano.- c/ Calzada 1, Tel. 952706803

-Pub Alambique.- Alameda de Andalucía 13

-Pub Gardhem.- Cóckteles and good music, Alameda de Andalucía 22

Antequera Hotels

 5* Hotels

-Convento de la Magdalena.- Urbanización Santa Catalína s/n Tel.902541540

4* Hotels

-Antequera Golf.- Urbanización Santa Catalína s/n Tel. 952704531

-Parador de Antequera.- Paseo García del Olmo s/n Tel. 952840261

-Finca Eslava.- Carre. A 7281 Km4, Tel 952844934

-La Sierra.- Carr A-45 salida 110-112, Tel. 952845410.

3* Hotels

-Las Villas Antikaria.-Avenida de la Cruz Blanca 1, Tel. 952844899

-Coso Viejo.-C/ Encarnación 5, Tel. 952705045

-Plaza de San Sebastián.- Plaza de San Sebastián 4, Tel. 952844239.

Antequera Weather

Antequera's weather is Mediterranean continental with long hot summers, in winter temperatures fall below 0 degrees, with frequent frosts. The rains are moderate in winter and spring. The average annual temperature is 15 º.

Antequera Important Phone Numbers

National Police 091

Civil Guard 092

Emergencies 062

Firefighters 112

Civil Protection 952845910

Health Emergencies 061

Cruz Roja 952702222

Tourism Office 952702505

Radio Taxi (24hours) 952845530

Malaga Airport 952048484

Antequera Train Station 952843226

Alsina Buses 952841365