Destination Andalusia, Spain
The territory now known as Andalusia fell within the sphere of influence of ancient Mediterranean mythological beliefs. Phoenician colonization brought the cults of Baal and Melqart; the latter lasted into Roman times as Hercules, mythical founder of both Cádiz and Seville. The Islote de Sancti Petri held the supposed tomb of Hercules, with representations of his Twelve labors; the region was the traditional site of the tenth labor, obtaining the cattle of the monster Geryon. …
• Most Popular Destinations in magical Andalusia
» Destination Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level. The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada …
» Destination Seville
Seville is more than 2,000 years old. The passage of the various civilizations, instrumental in its growth, has left the city a distinct personality, and a large and well-preserved historical centre. Although it has a strong medieval, renaissance and baroque heritage, the city received heavy influences from Arabic culture …
• Andalusia at-a-glance A-Z
» Baelo Claudia
Baelo Claudia is the name of an ancient Roman town, located 22 km outside of Tarifa, near the village of Bolonia, in southern Spain. Lying on the shores of the Straits of Gibraltar, the town was originally a fishing village and trade link when it was settled some 2,000 years ago. Prosperous at the time of Emperor Claudius, it went into a decline hastened by earthquakes …
» Discover Baeza
Baeza is a town in Andalusia, Spain, in the province of Jaén, perched on a cliff in the Loma de Baeza, a mountain range between the river Guadalquivir on the south and its tributary the Guadalimar on the north. It is chiefly known today as having many of the best-preserved examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in Spain …
» Discover Cadiz
Cadiz, the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula and possibly all southwestern Europe, and has been a principal home port of the Spanish Navy since the 18th century. It is also the site of the University of Cádiz. Despite its unique site, Cadiz is a typically Andalusian city with a wealth of attractive vistas and well-preserved historical landmarks …
» Discover Cordoba
The old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Cordoba governed almost all of the Iberian peninsula. It has been estimated that in the 10th century and beginning of the 11th century, Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and during these centuries became the intellectual center of Europe …
» Discover Costa de la Luz
The Costa de la Luz has a rich history that dates back to the twelfth century BCE. Cultural attractions include Baelo Claudia, the well-preserved ruins of a small Roman city; Cape Trafalgar, where, in 1805, in sight of this promontory, the English admiral, Horatio Nelson, defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet; and La Rábida Monastery …
» Discover Malaga
Malaga's history spans about 2,700 years and is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was founded by the Phoenicians as Malaka about 770 BC. The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas were born in Malaga. Málaga enjoys a subtropical climate with some of the warmest winters in Europe …
» Discover Marbella
Marbella and nearby Puerto Banus are important tourist resorts on the Costa del Sol. Marbella is especially popular with tourists from Northern Europe (including the UK, Ireland and Germany), Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and the U.S.A. Marbella is a major destination for luxury cruise ships and mega yachts which are also often docked in its harbour …
» Discover Nerja
Nerja has a long history, evidenced by the primitive paintings found in its famous Nerja caves, discovered in 1959. These caves are now believed to be just one entrance to a linked series of potholes stretching many miles into the mountains between Nerja and Granada, and which may yet prove to be one of the most extensive unexplored systems in Europe …
» Discover Ronda
Around the city are remains of prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic Age, including the rock paintings of Cueva de la Pileta. Ronda was however first settled by the early Celts, who, in the 6th century BC, called it Arunda. Later Phoenician settlers established themselves nearby to found Acinipo, known locally as Ronda la Vieja, Arunda or Old Ronda …
» Discover Torremolinos
A poor fishing village before the growth in tourism beginning in the late 1950s, Torremolinos was the first of the Costa del Sol resorts to develop. It is very popular with British tourists and has a large British expatriate population. Archaeological finds including human bones, tools and pottery prove that Torremolinos area was settled as early as the Neolithic Age …
