Antequera is located deep in the heart of the vast Andalusian soil, "The city of white and gongorian churches", was how Gerado Diego´s described it. Sheltered alongside the famous sierra, "El Torcal de Antequera", to the South with the edge of its houses leaning towards the green sea of wide vega in the other directions. Antequera is a city rich in ancient history and of monuments erected over many centuries.
Dolmenic Complex
The city of Antequera has Europe's most important megalithic complex, the Menga dolmen being the most ancient. The group is completed by those of Viera and El Romeral. The latter has a primitive false dome. Impressive stone blocks were transported from the Veracruz quarry to form these initial architectural manifestations of man kind.
The city of Antequera has Europe's most important megalithic complex, the Menga dolmen being the most ancient. The group is completed by those of Viera and El Romeral. The latter has a primitive false dome. Impressive stone blocks were transported from the Veracruz quarry to form these initial architectural manifestations of man kind.
Golden Age
Having endured Roman, Goth and Arab ruling (civilizations which left their mark), Antequera saw its most flourishing period after the Christian conquest in 1410. Its Renaissance and Baroque periods formed its "golden age". The city became an important economic center and a stage for commercial development. This is fundamental its characteristic as a "crossroads" which today is maintained in all its vitality. It is a city that has attracted the presence through the ages of both the nobility and important religious orders within its walls leaving a testament of churches, convents and ancestral homes for the present and future generations to enjoy.
Having endured Roman, Goth and Arab ruling (civilizations which left their mark), Antequera saw its most flourishing period after the Christian conquest in 1410. Its Renaissance and Baroque periods formed its "golden age". The city became an important economic center and a stage for commercial development. This is fundamental its characteristic as a "crossroads" which today is maintained in all its vitality. It is a city that has attracted the presence through the ages of both the nobility and important religious orders within its walls leaving a testament of churches, convents and ancestral homes for the present and future generations to enjoy.
Churches and Convents
Perhaps the most the most notable of Antequera´s religious architecture are the Real Colegiata of Santa María la Mayor and the church of San Sebastian, both build during the Renaissance period as were San Juan and San Pedro. From the Baroque period the churches of El Carmen, Los Remedios, Santiago, Madre de Dios, San José (Descalzas), Belén and San Juan de Dios are worthy of mention. The social and economic development of the city reached high levels during the Renaissance and Baroque epoch and it became a "conventual city" in character. Numerous religious orders established their convents inhabited by friars and nuns. Worthy of mention are those of the Carmelitas (Descalzas and Calzadas), Mímas, Clarisas, Dominicas and Agustinas. Notable monasteries are the Gothic San Zoilo which was found by the Catholic Monarchs in the year 1500. The church of the royal monastery (San Francisco) is a national monument. The Consistorial Palace was in its day a convent for the "Padres Terceros" (XV11 and XV111 centuries). Another singular building is the convent of San Agustin, the church part being built between the XV1 to XV111 centuries.
Perhaps the most the most notable of Antequera´s religious architecture are the Real Colegiata of Santa María la Mayor and the church of San Sebastian, both build during the Renaissance period as were San Juan and San Pedro. From the Baroque period the churches of El Carmen, Los Remedios, Santiago, Madre de Dios, San José (Descalzas), Belén and San Juan de Dios are worthy of mention. The social and economic development of the city reached high levels during the Renaissance and Baroque epoch and it became a "conventual city" in character. Numerous religious orders established their convents inhabited by friars and nuns. Worthy of mention are those of the Carmelitas (Descalzas and Calzadas), Mímas, Clarisas, Dominicas and Agustinas. Notable monasteries are the Gothic San Zoilo which was found by the Catholic Monarchs in the year 1500. The church of the royal monastery (San Francisco) is a national monument. The Consistorial Palace was in its day a convent for the "Padres Terceros" (XV11 and XV111 centuries). Another singular building is the convent of San Agustin, the church part being built between the XV1 to XV111 centuries.
Ancestral Homes
The nobility settled in Antequera during the Renaissance and the Baroque period building numerous palaces of which many remain today. One of the most noteworthy is the Palace of Nájera (now the municipal museum) and those in the street of Cantareros, Tercia, Laguna and Lucena, all of which are in the Baroque style. Remarkable examples are the house of the marquis of La Peña; that of the Marchioness of Las Escalonias (noted for its Mannerist facade); that of the Colarte Family (now the Museum of the Provincial Deputation); that of the Barón of Sabasona (one of the most original examples of the "framed facade" characteristic of Antequera), that of the Marquis of Villadarias (a three-bodied facade in red stone from El Torcal and finally that of the Count of Pinofiel (one of the best preserved Baroque buildings in Antequera).
The nobility settled in Antequera during the Renaissance and the Baroque period building numerous palaces of which many remain today. One of the most noteworthy is the Palace of Nájera (now the municipal museum) and those in the street of Cantareros, Tercia, Laguna and Lucena, all of which are in the Baroque style. Remarkable examples are the house of the marquis of La Peña; that of the Marchioness of Las Escalonias (noted for its Mannerist facade); that of the Colarte Family (now the Museum of the Provincial Deputation); that of the Barón of Sabasona (one of the most original examples of the "framed facade" characteristic of Antequera), that of the Marquis of Villadarias (a three-bodied facade in red stone from El Torcal and finally that of the Count of Pinofiel (one of the best preserved Baroque buildings in Antequera).
Popular Fairs
The first of these occurs in Holy Week (Semana Santa) and this is one of the most established and traditional to be found in Andalusia. After this religious festival the next is held at the end of May and the beginning of June and is known as the Spring Fair followed by the Royal Fair held in August that attracts visitors from throughout other parts of Andalusia. Important bullfights are celebrated at both of the latter events.
The first of these occurs in Holy Week (Semana Santa) and this is one of the most established and traditional to be found in Andalusia. After this religious festival the next is held at the end of May and the beginning of June and is known as the Spring Fair followed by the Royal Fair held in August that attracts visitors from throughout other parts of Andalusia. Important bullfights are celebrated at both of the latter events.
Gastronomy
Antequera has in its gastronomical heritage two plates of original creation and specially appreciated outside the municipality. They are "porra" eaten during the summer and made out of bread, tomatoes, peppers and other ingredients and the dessert "bienmesabe" which tranlated means good taste which says it all. "Mollete" a bread roll is the official breakfast normally eaten with olive oil, for which Antequera is famous for. The "mantecados" and "alfajores" of artisanal elaboration are indispensable during the Christmas festivities but are enjoyed thoughout the year.
Antequera has in its gastronomical heritage two plates of original creation and specially appreciated outside the municipality. They are "porra" eaten during the summer and made out of bread, tomatoes, peppers and other ingredients and the dessert "bienmesabe" which tranlated means good taste which says it all. "Mollete" a bread roll is the official breakfast normally eaten with olive oil, for which Antequera is famous for. The "mantecados" and "alfajores" of artisanal elaboration are indispensable during the Christmas festivities but are enjoyed thoughout the year.
One of the nicest places to enjoy your morning "cafe o chocalate y chorros" is La Fuerza which has a unique ambience. Looking for a reasonably priced lunch then try Restaurante Dolmenes where the "menu del dia" is € 9 per person.
El Torcal
Nature has conferred Antequera with innumerable features, its most outstanding "The Torcal" which houses millions of forms moulded out of the erosion of an immense base of calcareous rock. The visitor to it is greated by a dreamlike and surreal landscape allowing him to see different figures modelled in the stone. The richness of fauna and flora of the "Torcal de Antequera" makes these a unique natural experience in Europe.
Nature has conferred Antequera with innumerable features, its most outstanding "The Torcal" which houses millions of forms moulded out of the erosion of an immense base of calcareous rock. The visitor to it is greated by a dreamlike and surreal landscape allowing him to see different figures modelled in the stone. The richness of fauna and flora of the "Torcal de Antequera" makes these a unique natural experience in Europe.
Cultural Heritage
Antequera´s heritage is not only confined to historical, architectural and natural, but also cultural. The city acquired literay importance during the XVI and XVII centuries (Golden) XIX (Romanticism) and the present day. The most important of these was the first when the Real Colegiata of Santa María was built. A Professorship of Grammer was created and outstanding tutors lectured there. As a result an outstanding group of Poets emerged lead by Pedro Espinosa.
Antequera´s heritage is not only confined to historical, architectural and natural, but also cultural. The city acquired literay importance during the XVI and XVII centuries (Golden) XIX (Romanticism) and the present day. The most important of these was the first when the Real Colegiata of Santa María was built. A Professorship of Grammer was created and outstanding tutors lectured there. As a result an outstanding group of Poets emerged lead by Pedro Espinosa.
Thanks for putting such a useful site on the Web! I would really
appreciate it if you could include our information at your site.
Juan Carlos Rojas
Costa Del Sol Tourist Board
e-mail to www.itccommunications.net dated - 22:04:03
tourist office - 34 95 2702505
Need an English speaking vet? Clinica Leon C/Merecillas 33 tel 952845697 - e-mail
Need an English speaking vet? Clinica Leon C/Merecillas 33 tel 952845697 - e-mail
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
National Police 95 2843494 - Local Police 95 2708104 - Red Cross 95 2702222 - Hospital 952844411
National Parador (Hotel) 952840261 - Lodging net (lodgings) 952703048 - RENFE (Railways) 95 2843226
urgencias sanitarias 902 505 061
Parador 952 840261 e-mail - El Sol de Antequera (Periodico en Español)
National Police 95 2843494 - Local Police 95 2708104 - Red Cross 95 2702222 - Hospital 952844411
National Parador (Hotel) 952840261 - Lodging net (lodgings) 952703048 - RENFE (Railways) 95 2843226
urgencias sanitarias 902 505 061
Parador 952 840261 e-mail - El Sol de Antequera (Periodico en Español)
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