Antequera – You can get from Malaga or Marbella by regular bus. But the most comfortable option is to rent a car, in particular from Gowerla M Rentacar, by booking a car in advance on gowerla-rentacar.com. A trip by car along mountain roads will allow you to fully enjoy the unforgettable mountain landscapes. You will be able to take unique photos by stopping at specially equipped viewing platforms along the entire route.
You can get from Malaga or Marbella by regular bus. But the most comfortable option is to rent a car, in particular from Gowerla M Rentacar, by booking a car in advance on gowerla-rentacar.com. A trip by car along mountain roads will allow you to fully enjoy the unforgettable mountain landscapes. You will be able to take unique photos by stopping at specially equipped viewing platforms along the entire route
The history of Antequera begins with two dolmens located on its northern outskirts – Menga (Spanish Dólmen de Menga) and Viera (Spanish Dólmen de Viera), dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. These dolmens are the largest such structures throughout Europe.
During the last quarter of the 1st millennium BC. The Iberian Peninsula became part of the Roman Empire. The people who lived on the territory of modern Antequera, like other cities of the Iberian Peninsula, quickly adopted the Roman culture and the Latin language. During this period the city was called Antikaria. Under the Romans, Antequera continued to be an important economic center, gaining particular fame for its excellent olive oil supplies.
Starting from the 5th century AD. The Romans were more and more forced out by the Vandals, the Suebi (a group of Germanic peoples), the Alans (a group of Sarmatian tribes). In 554, a Roman expedition sent by the emperor Justinian took control of this area, however, in 624 it was conquered by the Visigoths.
In 711, the Arab-Islamic invasion of the Iberian Peninsula began. The capture of Antequera by the Muslims took place in 716 and the city was renamed Medina Antaquira.
The Medina of Antequera was periodically attacked by the troops of Christian kings for two centuries, and on September 16, 1410, an army led by King Ferdinand I of Aragon captured the city.
After the city became part of the Kingdom of Castile, Muslims were expelled from the city. The city turned into a Christian fortress and, a kind of military headquarters, from which the Christian kings continued their struggle against the Muslim troops of the Nasrid dynasty of the Emirate of Granada. After the end of the Reconquista, which ended with the capture of Granada in 1492, Antequera returned to a peaceful life.
Antequera, after the completion of the Reconquista, became the most important economic center, standing at the crossroads between Malaga in the south, Granada in the east, Cordoba in the north and Seville in the west. Due to its geographical position, well-developed agricultural sector, skilled artisans producing everything necessary for growth and cultural development, the city received the title of “Heart of Andalusia” at the beginning of the 11th century. Urban architecture also underwent significant changes at this time: mosques and other Muslim buildings were demolished, and new Christian churches and houses were erected in their place.
The prosperity of Antequera began to decline slightly by the end of the 17th – beginning of the 18th centuries. The reason for this was the general situation in Spain, which was forced to come to terms with the loss of its American colonies and, being involved in military conflicts in Europe, with colossal military losses. These circumstances caused a deep economic crisis, so deep that in parts of Spain people returned to the barter exchange of goods.
Starting from the middle of the 18th century, the textile industry began to develop in Antequera, which became its main production. And at the beginning of the 20th century, textile production was struck by a new serious crisis. It wasn’t until the 1960s, when a tourist boom began on the nearby Costa del Sol, that the city experienced a new economic boom. Today Antequera is one of the most important tourist and cultural centers not only in Andalusia, but in Spain and Europe as a whole
Dolmen Menga
was erected about 6,000 years ago and is a burial mound.
Dolmen Viera
erected in 3510 – 3020 BC, it, like the Menga dolmen located 50 meters away, is a funerary structure.
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor (Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor) is one of Antequera’s most important landmarks. Of particular importance to this church is the fact that it is the first representative of the Renaissance architectural style in Andalusia.
The Collegiate Church of San Sebastian (Real Colegiata de San Sebastian) is considered one of the most beautiful and significant temples of Antequera.
Alcazaba de Antequera Castle. Built by Muslims in the 14th century as a fortification against the forces of Christian kings.
Arch of the Giants (Arco de los Gigantes), erected in 1595 in honor of King Philip II of Spain.
On the banks of the Guadalhorce River, which flows in the valley outside the city, there is the “Rock of Love” (Peña de los Enamorados), which got its name from the legend according to which a Moorish boy and a girl who were in love with each other, belonging to two warring clans, rushed from a cliff, driven by the girl’s father, who was against their relationship.
Not far from Antequera is the Fuente de Piedra salt water lagoon – one of the few flamingo nesting sites in Europe.
Also not far from the city is the El Torcal Nature Reserve with bizarre figures formed under the centuries-old action of wind and water. This place is one of the favorite places for rock climbers.
Wolf Park (Parque de Lobos), located in the suburbs of Antequera.
By visiting Antequera and driving around its main sights in a car rented from Gowerla M Rentacar, you will gain wonderful impressions and positive emotions for the year ahead!
