Translated into English by Sherri Ann Beñasco Zaragoza
Authors of the photographs: Sherri Ann Beñasco Zaragoza, Carlos Domínguez Bonnemaison, Carolina Robles Sánchez and Daniel Chiaradona, students of the Image and Sound department.
This article complements others that are titled From Malaga to heaven, route through the rooftops of Malaga Part I and Part II. In this occasion I will talk about those other places from which there are interesting perspectives of the city. To gain access into most of them you have to pay an entrance fee, while others only open certain days of the year, coinciding with some event or when a visitors group is formed guided by a tour guide. Some even, since their opening, have announced their temporary nature, in function to the demand, like the ferris wheel installed at the port. I will guide you through these places:
Gibralfaro Castle
Location: Camino de Gibralfaro, 11
Open since: The time of the Phoenicians.
Opening hours: In the summer time from 09:00h until 20:00h and in winter from 09:00h until 18:00h.
Prices: In the moment of publicising this post. General visit: 2,20 €
Joint visit to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle: 3,55 €
Reduced price*: 0,60 €
*Reduced price: only for residences of Malaga, children from 6 to 16 years old, school children or student card holders, retired or pensioners, large families of the general category and users of the MALAGACARD card.
Free visit every Sunday from 14:00 until closing.
Telephone: 952122020
Best views of: Which ever part of Malaga city and its surrounding areas.
Description: If we start with a tour along the wall, towards the east we can observe, following the shore line of the beach, firstly the spa of the baños del Carmen (baths of Carmen), beaches of Pedregalejo and the Acacias, El Palo beach, and at the end, in the background, rises the cement factory of La Araña (The Spider).
To the north the Mountain of San Anton which makes way to the natural park of the mountains of Malaga, and then in the city bellow, the shrine of the Virgen de la Victoria (Virgen of Victoria) patroness of Malaga, to which many malagueñas owe their name. Just above, on the adjacent mound, is the hermitage of the Monte Calvario (Calvario Mountain). Somewhat further away, on the slope of the next hill, you can see the seminary of Malaga, designed in neomudejar style alongside other architects, by the malagueño Fernando Guerrero Strachan. Somewhat more to the west, in the background, we can appreciate a long horizontal line with a small control tower to the right; this is the reservoir of El Limonero.
Continuing in a westerly direction, we can appreciate the buildings of the Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales (Faculty of Science Economics and Business) of El Ejido. A little further at the back, rises La Rosaleda football stadium and even further at the back, the houses of the Palma Palmilla neighbourhood with their characteristic horizontal lines on the upper part of each block of flats.
Now to the lower part of the west, La Merced square, with its obelisk dedicated to the General Torrijos in the centre. Somewhat further away to the left, is the steeple of the church of the Santos Martires (Holy Martyrs), along with the already mentioned dome of Santo Cristo de la Salud (Saint Christ of Health).
Towards the southwest, starting at the bottom of the mountain, you can see the Alcazaba and its perimeter wall, just about, a bit further away the Palacio de la Aduana (Palace of Aduana), future museum of Malaga. To the right, the Palacio de Buenavista (Buenavista Palace) which is home to the Picasso museum with its characteristic square tower, somewhat further back and to the right the church of the convent San Agustin (Saint Agustin). On the line towards La Merced square, rises the tower of the church of Santiago Apostol. A bit further behind the square tower of the Buenavista palace, rises, imposing its shape and volume in comparison to the rest of the buildings of the city, the cathedral of La Encarnación (The Incarnation), the basilica of Malaga. Finally, following the beach line, in the background are the chimneys of the Monica tower, the highest measuring 96 meters in height, and that of La Termica.
Looking towards the port, just on the south side of the Alcazaba, we can see the Gardens of Puerta Oscura, the Town Hall building (known popularly as La Casona del Parque), the Bank of Spain building and the headquarters of the Rectorado de la Universidad de Malaga (Rector of the University of Malaga), which was the old post-office building. Towards the sea, the park with its Mediterranean garden made up by subtropical species. Already in the port, the pergola of the palm grove of surprises, the Pompidou centre of Malaga and the walk of La Farola (The Lighthouse).
Finally, to the south you can see the bullring of La Malagueta, created by the architect Joaquin de Rucoba, and to its right you can make out, though the vegetation the Hospital Noble (Noble Hospital).
The high part of The Coracha
Location: Calle Campos Elíseos, 21
Opening hours: The best time to go is in the afternoon or at night.
Best views of: The port of Malaga
Description: Walk located over the old malagueño neighbourhood of La Coracha. To gain access to it we have three possibilities:
· First option; going up the existing stairs and ramps that there are in between the museo Patimonio Municipal (Municipal Heritage Museum) and The Alcazaba tunnel. It’s the quickest option from the port, but the most exhausting, as the ramps are steep.
· Second option, and the most recommend is the climb from the city taking the Paseo de Don Juan Temboury (Walk of Don Juan Temboury) that’s situated close to the plaza de la Aduana (Aduana Square), at the foot of the Palacio de la Aduana (Aduana Palace). Ascending up the walk, you will come across the magnificent views of the cities port.
· Third option: from the plaza de la Merced (Merced Square), you need to take the calle Mundo Nuevo (New World street), located on a steep slope, and going straight on, you will go through a pedestrian tunnel and when you come out, you will gain access to surprising views of the port.
Other comments: The best time to go is in the afternoon or at night.
Walls of the Alcazaba
Location: C/ Alcazabilla 2
Open since: The nasrid period of the city.
Opening hours: Summer (1st of April until the 31stof October) 09:00h to 20:00h
Winter (1stof November until the 31st of March) 09:00h to 18:00h
Prices: In the moment of publicising this post. General visit 2,20 €
Joint visit to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle 3,55 €
Best views of: On one side, of the Roman Theatre and Picasso museum and on the other, the Paseo del Parque (Park Walk) and Muelle nº 1 (Dock nº 1).
Description: Towards the northwest, at the bottom of the Alcazaba, stands out the roman theatre, more in the background the Picasso museum. Just on the right of the square tower of the Buenavista palace, the church of the convent of San Agustin (Saint Agustin). On the left, rises over the rest of the city, the grand silhouette of the cathedral.
To the south, in first row, for right to left: The Palacio de la Aduana (Palace of Aduana), the headquarters of the Rectorado of the University of Malaga (Rector of the University of Malaga), the Bank of Spain building, the Town Hall building, the Gardens of Puerta Oscura, and in the background the bullring of La Malagueta, but before that, between the vegetation, stands the red bricked building of the Hospital Noble (Noble Hospital). More to the left, in an easterly direction, stands Gibralfaro Mountain which gives its name to the castle that crowns it.
In second row, in front, we can see the Paseo del Parque (park walk), with the pergola of the palm grove of surprises already in the installations of the port. To its right, now in the distance, the chimneys of the Monica tower, the highest measuring 96 meters in height, and that of La Termica. Finally, in the port, to the left, you can see La Farola (The lighthouse) and its walk.
Covers of the Cathedral of Malaga
Location: Calle Molina Lario, 9
Open since: 11th of May 2015
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays: 10:30 am to 13:30 pm and 18:00 pm to 20:00 pm.
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00 pm.
Best views of: The Alcazaba and the city port.
Description: There are hourly hikes. The tour is done accompanied by a guide, starting the route up a flight of stairs located inside the north tower, from the eighteenth century, until the intermediate terraces of the chapels. From here and going up some steps, you can appreciate the interior of the central nave from some vents used during the sixteenth century.
Then you climb a spiral staircase up to a height of about fifty meters, at the end you have climbed more than two hundred steps. When you get to the vaults of the central nave, you will be able to contemplate the extraordinary spectacle which can be seen from which ever point in the perimeter of the cathedral. From west to east, the most important buildings that can be seen are: Gibralfaro, the Alcazaba, Palacio de la Aduana (Aduana Palace), Paseo del Parque (Park Walk), Muelle Uno (Dock One) with its Palmeral de las Sorpresas (Palm Grove of Surprises), the Equitativa building, the Alameda Principal (Alameda Main Street).
Other comments: You have to get the tickets online at Ars Malaga, Obispado de Malaga (Bishopric of Malaga), Palacio Episcopal (Episcopal Palace).
Price: (when this post is published) 6€, residence in the province 3€, night visits 10€.
Observatory of the church of the Santo Cristo de la Salud (Saint Christ of Health)
Location:Calle Compañía, 2
Open since: 2nd of December 2013 (the tours started during restoration project).
Opening hours: Check the reservation website:
Best views of: The plaza de la Constitucion (Constitution Square).
Description: After climbing up several sections of narrow staircases, you come outside on to the dome of the church. The perimeter gallery is situated only a few meters away from what was the first astronomical observatory of the province of Malaga, which was accommodated in a chicken coop with large windows, located in the school covers of Jesuita de San Sabastian (Jesuit of Saint Sebastian). Currently located next to the church is the Colegio anejo Nº1 (Attached School Nº1). From the gallery you can see: to the north, the church of the Santos Martires (Holy Martyrs), to the southeast, the plaza de la Constitucion (Constitution Square) and in the background the cathedral. To the southwest, the steeple of the church of San Juan (Saint John) and to the west, in first row the rooftops of the palacio de Villalon (Villalon Palace), current museo Carmen Thyssen (Carmen Thyssen Museum), the church of the Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart) and at the back the church of San Pablo (Saint Paul).
Other comments: Guided tours are done accompanied by a technician from the IAPH -Insituto Andaluz de Patrimonio Historico- (Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage) specialised in the conservation and restoration of the historical heritage. You will discover the history about the building and the different avatars that have taken place over the years, the urban context in which it was born and develop, the uses and the activities that took place inside it during all this time and finally, the intervention that took place during and after the integral restoration of both the property and its furniture.
The ports ferris wheel
Location:Walkway to the Heredia pier, behind the bus station.
Open since: 25th of August 2015
Opening hours: From 11:00 am to 01:00 am
Best views of: Malaga port.
Description: With a height of 70 meters, it offers a 360º view of the city. It has acclimatised cabins to deal with the summer heat. The views from the north to the east are: The Equitativa building, the Cathedral, Palacio de la Aduana (Aduana Palace), the Alcazaba, Gibralfaro castle, Paseo del Parque (Park Walk), Palmeral de las Sorpresas (Palm Grove of Surprises), Muelle Uno (Dock One) and the Paseo de la Farola (The Lighthouse Walk).Towards the southeast: Manuel Agustin Heredia avenue and following the road parallel to the cost, the Paseo de Antonio Machado (Antonio Machado walk). In the west direction, the Soho of Malaga.
Other comments: They have a contract for eight months, extendable if the business is profitable.
To know more:
· From Malaga to heaven, route through the rooftops of Malaga Part I, CLICKING HERE
· From Malaga to heaven, route through the rooftops of Malaga Part II, CLICKING HERE
· Museo Picasso Malaga (Picasso Museum of Malaga). Palacio de Buenavista (Buenavista Palace). San Agustin, 8. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Fundación Picasso, Museo Casa Natal (Picasso Foundation, Native House Museum): Plaza de la Merced, 15. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga (Carmen Thyssen Museum of Malaga). Compañia, 10. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Centro Pompidou de Málaga (Pompidou Centre of Malaga): Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n Muelle Uno Malaga port. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Arqueológico y de Bellas Artes de Málaga. (Archaeological and Fine Arts Museum of Malaga) Palacio de la Aduana, Plaza de la Aduana, 1. See on the map, CLICKING HERE
· Colección del Museo Ruso de San Petersburgo (Russian Museum of Saint Petersburg): Avenida Sor Teresa Prat, 15. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo del Automovilismo y de la Moda (Automotive and Fashion Museum): Avenida Sor Teresa Prat, 15. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Centro de Arte Contemporaneo CAC (Contemporary Art Centre CAC). Calle Alemania, s/n. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Félix Revello de Toro (Félix Revello of Toro Museum): calle Afligidos, 5. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Interactivo de la Música (Interactive Music Museum): calle Beatas, 15. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Cementerio ingles de Malaga (English Cemetery of Malaga): Avenida Pries, 1. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Taurino de Malaga (Taurino Museum of Malaga): Paseo de Reding s/nº Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta (Bullring of the Malagueta). See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo del Patrimonio Municipal de Malaga (Municipal Heritage Museum of Malaga): Paseo de Reding, 1. See on the map, CLICKING HERE.
· Museo Unicaja de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Málaga (Unicaja Arts and Popular Customs Museum of Malaga: Calle Manuel José García Caparrós, 4. See on the map CLICKING HERE.
