Antequera 
Antequera - Overview:
Antequera is situated 35 minutes drive inland, some 40km north of Malaga. This wonderful, relatively undiscovered part of Andalucia has breathtaking scenery, historical and architectural monuments and treasures dating back to Roman and Moorish times, along with a superb year round warm climate. Antequera is a vibrant and typically Spanish town, 35 minutes drive from Malaga, which has been known as the crossroads of Antequera since Roman Times. With its stunning historical monuments, Moorish castle, excellent and traditional restaurants, many fiestas and events you will experience a taste of traditional Spain.
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Antequera - The crossroads of Andalucia:
A visit to Antequera is to take a journey back in time to the Bronze Age. Archaeological discoveries near the city gates have unearthed the ancient Roman city of Signilla Barba with some fabulous mosaics and on the other side, the prehistoric dolmen caves of the Menga, Viera and El Romeral. These were megalithic mass tombs nearly 5000 years old, created by the original Iberian people.
Modern day Antequera is an enchanting town with its long history clearly visible. Built around a Moorish castle, its Gothic church spires and Baroque bell towers are surrounded by a patchwork of ploughed fields cultivated for asparagus, olives, almonds and yellow sunflowers. Known as the City of Monuments because there is virtually one in every street, points of special interest are the recently excavated Roman baths, the Renaissance church of Santa Maria la Mayor, the Baroque church of El Carmen which contains one of the finest altarpieces in all Spain, the 19th century bull ring and the Arch of the Giants, built in 1585.
The Convento de las Descalzas, an enclosed order of Carmelite nuns offers the modern day traveller a unique insight into an almost forgotten way of life. The order sells pastries and bread to the public, but are not allowed visual contact with the outside world, so the transactions are carried out by means of a bell-rope and a revolving wooden door.
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Antequera - Sightseeing:
Antequera is the perfect base from which to explore the major cities of Andalucia; Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Ronda, all of them ancient towns with their own special place in history.
Surrounding Antequera is rich farmland, one of Andalucia's most fertile areas, producing asparagus, cereals and olives. In the summer the fields are full of sunflowers. The white villages surrounding Antequera offer a glimpse of life from a bygone age, where the pace is slow and evenings can be passed in tranquil plazas.
The town and valley are overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high, called La Pe�a de los Enamorados, or The Lover's Leap. The name comes from a local legend about an impossible love affair between a young Christian man from Antequera and a beautiful Moorish girl from nearby Archidona, who were driven to the top of the cliff by the Moorish soldiers, where, rather than renounce their love, they chose to throw themselves into the abyss.
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Antequera - Nature & history:
One of Antequera's most impressive sights is its dolmens, located in a park to the west of the town, the most spectacular of which is the Cueva de la Menga. These megalithic mass tombs, made of huge slabs of rock, were created by the original Iberian people and date back 5,000 years. There are many such dolmens in Andalucia, but none as large as the Cueva de la Menga. When it was excavated in the nineteenth century, many hundreds of skeletons were found in its inner chamber.
Antequera - Places of Interest:
La Sierra del Torcal:
The most geographically arresting of all Spain's natural parks, containing within its 17 square kilometres some of the most stunning limestone rockscapes in Europe. Fertile clay soil produces an every changing explosion of colourful plantlife, lilies, vivid red poppies and 30 varieties of orchid compete for attention with hawthorn, ivy and wild rose bushes. Eagles and griffin vultures circle above El Torcal's fairytale pinnacles, badges, polecats and weasels life side by side with mountain goats, lizards and snakes. For the adventurous this is a rock climbers paradise, challenging escarpments and the reward of breathtaking views is making El Torcal an increasingly sort after venue.
El Chorro Lakes and Gorge:
These hidden lakes have for many years been a well kept secret by local Spanish families. Three turquoise artificial lakes bordered by sandy beaches and shaded by scented pine forests, is a sight more commonly associated with Switzerland than Andalucia.
Situated west of the pueblo of Alora, these man-made lakes were created by the dam built across the Guadalhorce river gorge, the Garganta del Chorro, an immense fissure, 5km along and 300 metres deep, running between two towering limestone cliffs.
Antequera - Our holiday accommodation and service:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Inland Andalucia including Antequera. Privately owned villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.
So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking in Andalucia's mountains; exploring Spain's fascinating white villages such as Montejaque, rural towns and historic cities such as Ronda or Seville; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.
