Antequera overwhelming. Overwhelms his bristling skyline, tall towers and pinnacles, impossible vanes and high domes, the towers crippled and erect beacons. Antequera overwhelms his vast plain false horizon, rich meadows, steppe valley. Overwhelm the green fields that surround the city and away towards the horizon dotted with enormous metal insect, modern plows
and harvesters. Overwhelm the streets of Antequera 75% treasured historic and artistic heritage of the province of Malaga. And all I see the Rock of the Lovers, the Indian rock, the rock of the woman who wakes up from the earth. And overwhelm his story. A story that is written from the distant past with the dolmens of Menga, Viera and El Romeral, who was seen walking in his pasture and Tartars Iberians and Phoenicians and Carthaginians, which included the bloody battles between Hasdrubal and the Roman legions, who lived under the protective mantle 
of Muza Ben Abdelaziz, who succumbed to the Christian power in the hands of Infante Don Fernando, which allowed Lord to the Church in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, who observed the Napoleonic troops marching in the nineteenth century, which saw its textile industry dawned in the twentieth and allowed us to visit her in the XXI century. Antequera overwhelmed. Antequera takes time, time to time to know and enjoy
. One example is the fact that it is one of the municipalities in Spain with the largest number of churches. Antequera requires some planning your visit, choose your options and choose a proper visit to every interest. From the Tourist Office offers the possibility of a guided tour through the historic center. It is a complete tour and basic that does not include the Alcazaba and the dolmens. We chose to join the first part of the tour, visit the Alcazaba on their own and leave for the evening and the end of the day the megalithic dolmens. To contact the Tourist Office, located in Plaza de San Sebastián 7, and conclude the tour you can call 952 70 25 05 turismo@antequera.es mail write or visit the municipal website www.antequera.es . The tour price is six euros per person, lasts about two hours and includes the presence of a guide. In the office we can also provide an updated brochure and detailed schedules of the monuments, churches and convents. Call and make an appointment. At eleven o'clock, 22 people We walk together to visit the old part of Antequera, and stress on foot because there is also a minibus service guide for people with reduced mobility or with less spirit walker. Begin and "Exit the sun Antequera and is what God wants." to the Carmelite church
begin the visit at the San Sebastian Square, where stands the church of the same name, a formal construction and slender tower that shoots upward. Tallest tower in the city, built in the early eighteenth century, crowned with the figure of an angel who acts as a weather vane and carrying in his hand a flag waving in the wind appears. The whole point is formidable and will benchmark antequerano skyline when ascend to the heights of the Tower of Homage of 
the Alcazaba. Travelers say he could face the so-called Stendhal syndrome during his visit to Antequera might be exaggerating, but the amount and quality of monuments, facades, canopies, civil and religious towers is the look could approach the sublime ecstasy that suffered the writer when fainted at the beauty of the Florentine Basilica of Santa Cruz. descend along Calle San Sebastián to the Plaza del Coso Viejo, starting point for the guided tour. And in this place we
find the convent of Santa Catalina de Siena left, the Museo Municipal Palacio de Nájera -right and the old granary municipal front. The Municipal Museum hosts inside an overview of the history of the city and the region, exhibiting various archaeological items of great value, including the famous Efebo of Antequera, a bronze sculpture of the first century AD that has become over the years the image of the city. In February 2011, the museum is closed for remodeling. The guide told us that the region of Antequera is the first extension region of Malaga in Spain and the fifth, also recounts the origin of the expression "Get out the sun for Antequera. There are three versions of the origin of this saying, are displayed here alike: "There are several hypotheses on the origin of this saying, but all put it at the time 
the War of Granada. According to Jose Maria Iribarren in The why of these (1996), comes from the phrase "Get out the sun by Antequera and get everywhere, which would have been said from the camp of the Catholic Monarchs in the vicinity of Granada. Since Antequera is located to the west, is highly ironic. The Current English Dictionary by Manuel Seco, Olimpia Andrés y Gabino Ramos, indicates that this means that no matter the consequences and explains 
originated from a legend that, with Ferdinand I of Aragon undecided about the next place that I had to attack, appeared a young woman with a lion who said, "Get the Sol Antequera and that is what God wants. " Another hypothesis suggests that the origin of the phrase is not in the Christian kings, but in the court of Granada, particularly in a speech in El Zagal, who, knowing that the war was lost, he asked his soldiers courage and fight to the desperate, of these forms and ways it has at least the wikipedia ... From Piazza del Coso Viejo go down the street Incarnation to Barefoot Square, where we found the museum convent of the order. Inside the museum (3 euros) can be seen various paintings of great value. The building is strong and very broad with few concessions to
the hype, just the cover is found worked conscientiously. In Antequera, as the guide points, five convents of nuns and two monks, seven still active. Before we look further into the street Calzada. The origin of its name comes from the Roman era, precisely because this road crossing the Via Agusta, one of the great connections in the Hispania Roman world of his time. Antequera, in that time was a city that housed more than 2,500 souls and their geographic location, communications hub between Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and Granada was always precious. From the square of the Barefoot pro ascend the hill of Los Rojas. Observe civil architecture Antequera houses
wide hallways, courtyards shaded in black iron railings, wooden shutters half-closed, cubic sunny terraces, facades and doors worked with regal lintels. We arrived at the shelter outside the walls. There are still standing several paintings and give us a good idea of \u200b\u200bthe strength of its walls, the fortress walls. We will not go even to the intricate game streets of the old. The guide offers the possibility to reach the church Carmen, one of the landmarks featured 
Andalusian Baroque. From the plaza above the entrance of the church is seen on your left, the effigy of Lover's Rock, and right the transcript fortified the citadel and in the foreground, the profile of the collegiate church of Santa Maria the Mayor. The entrance to the church costs 2 euros for adults, 1 euro for children and 1.60 euros for groups over ten people. We pay religiously, never better. The Carmelite church belonged to a convent no longer exists. Its exterior does 
justice to the treasure we have inside. It is one of the leading exponents of Baroque Andalusian heritage and this title is justly deserved. The first impression of the temple is the altar. Contrary to many other churches, that of Carmen Antequera offers an altar carved from red pine polychrome not. Dark grain. This print is added their watermarks worked, running through the main frame full of scrolls, leaves and religious reasons. Antequera and overwhelming overwhelms the Carmelite church with their dressing elaboradísimos, all different and reloaded. Open your mouth to admire its restored coffered ceiling, his body and his wooden choir, paintings, images and sizes. E impacts impressive. We called attention to a recurring symbol. Three stars, separated by three lobes, appear 
splashing here and there the woodwork, marble and gypsum. Three stars out of three lobes. We are quite curious and thanks to new technologies we can consult. It is the symbol of the Carmelite order to which the church belongs, and that with him in mind we will splash around in different locations and monuments of the city. We visit the church in silence, almost with devotion, photographing, watching and enjoying. The Legend of Lover's Rock and to the Alcazaba
Before to continue the journey, we stop. It is time to tell the legend of Lover's Rock . Antequera boast of having written the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Shakespearean long before the British author. In times of strife between Arabs and Christians love one another was forbidden. In one skirmish, one of the generals captured a young Arab Christian named Tello that his service. The young Christian fell in love humbly, 
Tagzona, the general's daughter. Love proved to be reciprocal. One night they decide to escape. They are pursued by some and by others. The Antequera archidonenses Christians and Arabs. Climb the Rock of the Lovers and surrounded decide hugging and jumping into the void. Say and tell that in the usual morning fog can be seen at the top of the rock the silhouette of a man and a woman embracing. Legend ... And the echo of the old stories still echoing in our heads walk to the ramparts of the Moorish castle and we enter the labyrinth of
streets through Star Postigo. The paintings of the walls that are still standing are solid, heavy, serious. Exude history and imaginative minds like ours then print it epic, listening to the clink of hooves against the pavement, the murmur of the Koranic call to prayer, swords at the top ... We continued to the Plaza de Santa Maria, where is located the Royal Collegiate the same name and over time has become a symbol reference in Antequera from a dual perspective, the purely architectural and politics. The Collegiate
Santa Maria is located in a privileged location on the edge of the Citadel and on some old Roman baths. A large concourse opens before entry and allows us to envision its front to the fullest. Renaissance is the first building erected in Spain. Today are desecrated and its use goes beyond the purely tourist, as it hosts exhibitions, conventions, etc ... even served to hold several meetings to commemorate the Andalusian Parliament, among others, the twentieth anniversary of the Covenant of Antequera (Antequera Pact, well known for having signed in the city of Antequera, was an agreement signed on December 4, 1978 among the eleven political parties then implanted in Andalusia, which they promised to get together as quickly as possible the autonomy of Andalusia . It was an agreement 
no precedent in other communities autonomous.. " Source: Wikipedia). The building is impressive. It was built between 1530 and 1550 and is built around three arches divided by buttresses. The three buildings that comprise its interior are divided by a vast and tall Ionic columns. The order and arrangement of spaces remind us immediately to Roman art. In addition to its architectural and political significance, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria appeals to spiritual feelings, and that its walls held a chair of grammar that resulted in the poetical 
antequerano Golden Age, whose main representative was Peter Espinosa, which pays tribute to him outside the building with a noble statue. After visiting the Collegiate we said goodbye and split the group to visit the Citadel, but soon ... In front of the Collegiate is the Arco de los Gigantes , one of the ancient entrances to the citadel and that years ago was decorated with Roman valuable pieces disappeared over time. The Arch of the Giants has a magnetic influence over us
. It is a great arc that lies between the thick walls of the fortress. As we approach, the skyline of Antequera emerging. First the angel of the church of San Sebastian as an advance and after him the rest. Roofs and terraces, towers, pinnacles ... We got carried away by the urban landscape, the long street layout is combined with flat streets that empty into tiny squares. The Arch of the Giants was built in 1585. Before crossing the arch, the left is the entrance to the Alcazaba . Free, open from 10:30 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. It is important if the traveler decides to plan the trip on your own schedule request sheet in the Office of Tourism, otherwise the visit may be truncated to find us see 
one of the monuments closed. The visit to the Alcazaba is essential. Gardens, walls, the White Tower Papabellotas Tower ... We walked under the shade of the trees, we met other tourists, travelers and other visitors. We arrived at the base of the White Tower and ascend to the battlements of the walls by wooden stairs and stone. The view from this point is superb. Not only the town of Antequera at our feet, but much of the vast and extensive area 
opens our eyes. We stopped, rested his elbows on the walls, smile, throw pictures. The Alcazaba was built in the eleventh century, but today remains still standing correspond to the fourteenth century. We climbed the Torre del Homenaje , crowned by a second tower Papabellotas call bell. From this hangs a big bronze bell ring whose touch and served for decades to regulate irrigation turns of the valley. The interior of the tower 
perfectly conditioned, divided into several rooms. The sun filters through the pockets and draw different shapes with light. Statement by a parapet, the Keep communicating with the White Tower, a bastion of sober and high-rise square IAEA mountainous area on which sits the city before giving way to the high plateau of cultivated fields. We enjoy the view, we walked among the ramparts. As always, we imagine and dust trails on the horizon caused by the animals Christian, for the Napoleonic soldiers ... We enjoyed the winter sun, the landscape ... We play to have churches, buildings, benchmarks, set out on a real map where other people are located and visited in our trip from Malaga ... Before the bell touch tocsin leave the walls closing in pursuit of other monuments. Not without refresh in a bowl and a friendly chat with fellow tour have also decided to break off the larger group. to start in the Plaza de San Sebastián
leave the protection of the walls, crossed under the door and took the Giants to the left, Farriers street. Long street that runs under the shadow of the walls of the fortress. Homes tough and lean, tight, which are showing at the bottom of the home cool shade patios. We walked slowly, with hunger on the go. Ended at the square where we Hortichuela chapel the rostrum of the Virgen del Socorro and, after that the church of Santa 
Maria de Jesus. The chapel is baroque, two heights, with brick columns in Baroque style. An arcade arcade above the entrance, which is situated on a small balcony topped with three lanterns. The church of Santa Maria de Jesus notable for its simplicity Memorial meanwhile charged composition. A high wall from which it appears, toward the sky, a double belfry, the door would be preceded by a large black wrought iron fence, two lanterns and two tourists photographing. Despite its apparent simplicity, the interior of the temple houses an image of Santa Maria
of Jesus, who is one of the most revered in the Easter Antequera. We descend down the street Alvaro de Oviedo, until you reach the junction with Pasilla street. In this very corner stands the Palacio del Marqués de Escalonia style home with a remarkable seascape. Brick, black wrought iron grilles in the best tradition in the area, cover with double shield and crest of the Marquis range.
continue and take the first street on the left, Calle Cuesta de la Paz. It is the church of Santo Domingo . A serious construction,
with a sharp and narrow belfry with two arcs and paths hanging bells. Inside the church of Santo Domingo you can find an image of the Virgen de la Paz Coronado and another of the Virgen del Rosario. Stresses in this temple polychrome coffered ceiling. This brings us again to the starting point in the square of San Sebastian, where besides the aforementioned holy temple dedicated to find a bow Nazarene eighteenth century a Renaissance fountain produced by Pedro Machuca in 1545. We have come a long way and a good time, we have lived the story closely, we imagined the stories, photographed, embedded light look at the overwhelming horizons of Antequera. With so much emotion and so much information that we have forgotten profess time. A stomach growl reminds us that we must eat. Today the choice of dish is easy and the local, too. We asked one of the leaders of the Alcazaba. We note that the road to the Valley Abdalajís and Villanueva de la Concepción is a large recreation area and that in these modern and ancient roads there are several sales where you can taste typical and strong dishes. In the center, recommends a few places frequented by Antequera. One of them, visited in a previous occasion has good memories, so ... there we go. Food: club, bun, hairless and bienmesabe
The Infante Don Fernando long avenue that connects the Plaza de San Sebastian Plaza Castilla is full of tapas bars. We opted for the Castilla Restaurant, bar, tavern, boarding house and restaurant. We spent the background, is almost full, but we have a table for us. What do you want? From this moment, all those people who are doing or thinking do some kind of regime, to jump directly to the next item on the report. Done? Go ahead. In 
Antequera is a dish inexcusable, the Antequera, which add a steak, a tenderloin bald and finish off with a bienmesabe. First things first. The Antequera, is more than just a solid thick gazpacho is accompanied by boiled egg, ham and tuna. It was delicious. While taking preferably in the summer months, his forcefulness possible to taste the same way during the harsh seasons. We continue to bald in back that is accompanied by eggs, pepper and potato chips. The bald loin is no more (or less) than the tenderloin beef served warm with butter and melted butter that permeate the accompaniment. To finish try one of the richest desserts we have ever tested, the bienmesabe . Angel hair sprinkled with cinnamon and 
truffled almonds. Culinary experts say that is a dish whose preparation has changed little from the Arab period, time which places its origin. We are ecstatic. The total price of the menu, to which we add a steak, two beers, a bottle of water from one and a half and two coffee is 39 euros. We have already regained strength, not only to complete the visit with a tour prehistoric Antequera for its dolmens, but to address the work of several days ahead. The dolmens, the amazing ingenuity of man
The megalithic dolmens of Antequera are divided into two locations. The Menga and Viera and El Romeral. The first two you can walk from the city center into a brisk walk of fifteen minutes, to El Romeral should go by car, because it lies about three kilometers from the town. We chose to take the car, parked in one of several free public car parks which are distributed in the vicinity of the center. No loss to find them, since both locations are in Malaga. Access to dolmens of Menga and Viera is
relatively recent and is next to the visitor center, which also can be parked in a small parking lot. The dolmens can be visited individually or through a guided tour that can be arranged on the phone 952.71.22.06. Doubts assail us in this recommendation, we do not know whether to go to the visitor center first to see the visual that explains how to built the dolmens or, conversely, first visiting the dolmens and then watching the documentary. We did the second shape and we found it very enriching. are dark, a mound, hill, rising some feet above the ground. A narrow entrance that goes into a hallway into the darkness. At the sides, forming the walls, huge slabs of stone.
weigh tons. Above us, on the roof, even larger slabs. Its construction dates back to 3,000 BC and the fact that they are in just three kilometers away as these three elements indicates the significance that the place since time immemorial. The presence of Lover's Rock, that in the megalithic culture could be imagined as a woman (Mother Earth) arising from the pastures could affect the time of its construction. The dolmens of Antequera are among the 
most important megalithic monuments in Spain thanks to its size and condition. As a layman will say that we look awesome. Human ingenuity can create these buildings and equipping them with complex symbolism seems supernatural. We walk silent spaces, we walk the fingertips on the surface. At a time when we are alone inside the silence we pass on their walls. 
buried their dead here men and women of the Chalcolithic, these slabs raised enormous, adjusted to the ground, they covered the sky with carved stones, and covered the construction is land on which flourished the grass. We can draw some conclusions. It needed a large population density of buildings to carry out, also a potent and powerful idea to raise these cameras, just as was required a complex society, clan, strongly hierarchical and cooperative. Our ancestors were able, through a complex technique of setting up a structure that has remained unchanged for a period of nearly five thousand years. From the dolmens of Menga and Viera we moved to the Dolmen of El Romeral more impressive even than the first
. Inside the mound 
two spaces are topped by a dome of considerable size. Its construction is very complex and detailed. In all three areas megalithic symbols found some ideoformos those still not found an explanation. We walked slowly and mind walking from present to past and from past to present with lightning speed. Think, think again. Just think of the supreme effort he had to assume these megaliths raising leaves us breathless. Farewell still hold in the eyes and minds of the overwhelming collection of feelings, information and images that we assumed our visit to Antequera. We remember the stories, verses and sayings, data and dates. Antequera think inevitable as a cross of cultures, sometimes collaborative, sometimes warring times. We support the elbows, back, under the walls of the Alcazaba and we can see all the players walking through the fields of its extensive plains, coming or going to a destination that makes up what is now, now, turns out to be Antequera, anticaries Antaquira , La Antigua ...
Other information, events, links and useful information
Cuisine: Here are three links to respective pages that will help people interested in the culinary arts to make Antequera and bienmesabe . Also on page http://www.mollete.com/ can buy these breads or pastries typical of the region that are ideal for snacks, breakfast, support, etc.
El Torcal: Many readers will wonder why we did not include the Torcal in our visit. The explanation is that this beautiful and unique natural landscape shares ownership with the neighboring town of Villanueva de la Concepción and our journey to this town include the inescapable and inexcusable visit it. For those interested , here is the link to the story .
Easter: Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia to be considered one of the oldest and most unique of the autonomous region. Two aspects should be taken into account when visiting the Holy Week. First, the value of his carvings and pictures, from the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and belonging to his own "school Antequera. Second, the tradition of "running the valley, which is to take their seats at the race down a steep slope. This event not only raises the curiosity and interest of visitors, but great devotion among Antequera.
La Real Feria de Agosto: Declared National Tourist Festival to be one of the oldest in Spain. Its genesis goes back to the year 1748 date when King Ferdinand VII Antequera granted the privilege of celebrating this annual festival. The opening of the Royal Show is marked by the lighting of lamps that look forward Antequera and delight. The fair is divided into two stages sharing the same day: Fair and the Fair Day, Night. The celebrations are enjoyed in very different environments. If morning shift is for the downtown local guilds and associations that are responsible to prepare and dress up at night the party atmosphere moves to fairgrounds, located near the Plaza de Toros, where it is located the municipal house, the street stalls, attractions, etc. The culmination of the Royal Fair puts great fireworks that explodes the last day of the festivities.
Links: We take as reference the website Tourist Board of the Costa del Sol and municipal website Antequera, where all the telephone numbers needed to prepare the visit.
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