Travels with Bruce and Russ

I met up with friends Bruce and Russ this morning for a trip to Mollina and Antequera, about 70 kms or an hours drive east of Olvera.
Our intention was to visit an english language bookshop in Mollina but unfortunately it was closed so we continued to the nearby historic town of Antequera.

Recalling my last visit a year ago, we parked near to the bullring and walked the short distance to the main shopping area.

Through a side entrance we saw an incredible courtyard and followed a sign indicating that the main entrance was in the next street.

After passing through a security gate and scanner, it turned out to be the 17th century "Casa Consistorial", now housing the administrative offices of the local authority.

The patio was stunning in its architecture.

We continued our exploration, heading onwards and upwards to the ancient fortress that overlooks the town.










The main thoroughfare ends at the Plaza San Sebastian.

Here, the Colegiata de San Sebastian, open to the public and containing some beautiful paintings and artefacts.

A relatively easy uphill stretch brought us to the 16th century "Arco de los Gigantes", through which you enter into the Plaza Santa Maria.











The Real Colegiata de Santa Maria de la Mayor dominates the Plaza.

The view looking back across the plaza towards the arched entrance.

The entrance to the ancient 14th century "Alcazaba" is also in the Plaza though since my last visit, a small entrance fee is now charged....but well worth it.

Here, "Homenaje's Tower", the entrance to the ramparts and fantastic views over Antequera and beyond.


The main Parade Ground.

Part of the old clock mechanism is now a feature on the ascent up "Homenaje's Tower" and below the huge bell at the top of the tower.

Looking through to the "Torre Blanca" (White Tower).








Bruce and Russ enjoying the scenery and the fabulous views over Antequera.
Incredible views, even though today was slightly overcast with occasional light showers.












A thoroughly enjoyable day out in good company and a great destination with much more to explore on another occasion.

Alcazaba de Antequera

Unbelievably, it's over two years since we last visited Antequera, a large town about an hours drive east of Olvera along the A-384.

Although Antequera historically and architecturally has a lot to offer, I really wanted to visit the restored 14th century Moorish Castle that was re-opened in December 2008.

We parked the car at the bottom of town near to the bullring and enjoyed a pleasant walk up to the castle, entering through the Arco de los Gigantes, dating from 1585.

The arch leads through to the Plaza Santa María and the Church of the same name.

The views from the castle walls over Antequera are spectacular. Leading off the plaza is the entrance to the castle, which is free.

Some restoration work is still ongoing.



"Homenaje's Tower".






The "White Tower" and the ramparts.

Part of the old clock mechanism, now a feature on the climb up Homenaje's Tower.

The restoration work has provided easy access to all the features of the castle by way of wooden stairs and walkways.

The site was very popular with a party of school children from Malaga visiting.

The view to "la Peña de los Enamorados", named after the romantic legend of a young Christian man and his forbidden Moorish lover who, rather than be captured by chasing Moorish soldiers, threw themselves to their deaths from the rock.

We left the castle and its surrounds, winding our way back through the busy but pleasant streets to the bullring.

Antequera is definitely worth a visit. Lots to see, many pleasant plaza's and cafes with outside seating to just sit and enjoy life passing by.

Maps and much more information is available from the very helpful Tourist Office at the top of Infante Don Fernando, the main thoroughfare through town, in the Plaza San Sebastian (near to the fountain in the first pic of this post).

Antequera

Antequera - a largish town just over one hours drive east of Olvera.

The main reason for our visit was to buy Peppie, our lovely old dog, a new bed. Her old one of the beanbag type was getting a bit flat and we were finding it impossible to buy the replacement polystyrene type beads to refill it.........those of you that are dog lovers will understand. As long as your dogs happy then we're happy.

So off we went early and arrived about 9.30am, parked up and started to walk around to find the pet shops, previously researched on the internet.

Unbelievably, by 10am we had found what we wanted, returned it to the car and then proceeded to explore the town.

The first place of interest we came upon was the

cinema pictured above, decorated in what looked like "Art Deco" style and which appeared to be still in use.

The pics below are of the street scenes on our wanders. By the way, the temperature was recorded today at 22 degree's.

Walking towards the top of town brought us to the 14th century church of "Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor".

Unusually, there was no objection to the taking of pictures so the following are a few pics of the views from the surrounding walls and the of the inside. As always inside the churches we have been in, it was beautifully kept and ornate with paintings and icons.

The picture right is looking from the church back through the "Arch of the Giants" towards the town. The arch was built in 1585.



















The picture below is of the "Tarasco", sometimes half snake or dragon and half lady. It has seven heads depicting the seven deadly sins, governed by Faith (the lady) and the one below is a recreation of the Tarasco that was part of the Granada Corpus procession in 1760.
































A nice day out. More information on Antequera can be found at: http://http//www.andalucia.com/antequera/home.htm