“The warmth of the sun fell on us like a treasure, and the daylight moved over the sea in great, slow transpositions of colour, dying each night in purple dusks. The cliffs and mountains soaked up the sunsets like red sponges and the distant ragged edge of the sierras shone blue as a blunted saw” – Laurie Lee’s description of the coast east of Malaga in A rose for Winter.
AXARQUÍA: THE AREA
“It’s better to see something once than to hear about it thousand times”.
Axarquía. A heritage of centuries.
In the south of Andalusia, halfway between Malaga and Granada, the Axarquía Region is opening its doors to let you discover its history, its heritage, its people. From the Arabic sharquiyya, meaning the eastern zone, the Axarquia extends to the limits with the province of Granada.
With an exciting history, unique cultural heritage and dreamlike landscapes, from the fisherman villages of the Eastern Costa del Sol to the white-washed villages in the mountains, this land is an interesting compendium of tradition, legends, art and nature. Moorish influence is particularly strong in the Axarquía and Granada province for they dominated southern Spain for nearly 800 years. The villages of the region are dotted with unique wild environments that draw some of the most typical landscapes of the area.
Sierras Tejeda, Almijara & Alhama Natural Park.
Covering 40.000 hectares with peaks soaring more than 2,000 metres above sea level. This protected area is ideal for hiking, horse-riding or mountain-biking under the eagle’s flight or in the presence of mountain goats. The mountain ranges stand between the coast and the west of Granada as a great barrier that makes communication between both spaces difficult. However, this was passed daily by daring muleteers who kept open for centuries the route of fish and silk between the coast and the city of Granada.
These mountains have also witnessed battles between the Civil Guard and the anti-Franco guerrilla, known as the Maquis. A movement that took place in enclaves like the Sierra Almijara one of its most powerful bastions, which maintained resistance with the Civil Guard until the end of the fifties in this area. In this, several factors played a fundamental role, such as the steep orography of the terrain and the so-called links, that is, people who lived in the villages and who helped to supply food and weapons to the guerrillas.
Malaga. The Jewel of the Costa del Sol.
Malaga, the jewel of the costa del Sol, enjoy 300 days of sunshine per year. Its location and its climate are enviable. Malaga is nowadays making a name for itself in the cultural and gastronomic world. You might be surprised to find the native home of the painter Picasso next to the impressive Alcazaba Citadel, Gibralfaro Castle and the 1st century Roman Theatre. The old town of Malaga has 5 museums; Carmen Thyssen Museum, Picasso Museum, Fundación Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Museo del Patrimonio Municipal and the Pompidou centre.
Granada. Melting pot of cultures.
Granada is a thousand year-old city. See for yourself as soon as you discover this melting pot, where Arabs, Jews ans Christians have been living in peace for centuries. The city is presided by the legendary Alhambra, which has been protecting the inhabitants of Granada for centuries. In this magical city you will discover its most ancient Moorish neighbourhood, the Albaicín. Walking along its steep and white streets will take you back through the history and to breath-taking views to the Alhambra and the National Park of Sierra Nevada.
