Guide antequera, andalucia, spain, antequera tourist guide, hotels in andalucia
Idealspain
Home page
About Us
Advertise
Holidays in Spain
Car Hire in Spain
Move to Spain
Home Insurance in Spain
Contact Idealspain
Property in Spain
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain
Moving to Spain
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain
Money matters
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain
Living in Spain
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain
Working in Spain
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain
Holidays in Spain
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Idealspain

Place your company here

 

A-Z of places in Spain - Antequera (Andalucia)

Nearest Airport
Contacts
Entertainment
Hotels
Restaurants
Transport

Located right in the centre of Andalucia. Set in a rich, fertile plain is the market town of Antequera. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and every generation, including the Romans have made their mark here. Some of the most important Roman Villa ruins have been discovered here. We stumbled across some being excavated at the top end of the town near the college. There are plenty of sights to be seen and it is known for its abundance of places of worship, more than anywhere else in Spain. The famous bullring is worth a look.

 
Antequera is a 'City of Spires' for it has 20 churches. The main industry here is not tourism, although this is growing, it is an important area for olive oil production. The whole area around the town is covered with olive trees. The town has always hoped to retain its individualism and image of true Spanish life. Malaga lies just 40km to the south, making Antequera an easy day out. Guided tours can be had around the museum which is located in the heart of the monumental quarter, within the 18thC Ducal Palace.

 
Antequera is truly a sleepy place except on the market day of Tuesday when the place comes alive with shoppers. There's also an indoor market open Monday to Saturday. The town is also a bustling agricultural centre that attracts farmers from the surrounding villages who come to stock up with all their requirements. Spectacular views can be had, over the sea plain to the south, dotted with wild olive trees. Head to the top of the town to find El Portichuelo, the College and the Alcazabar.
Related pages
Related articles
 

In the Giant's Arch (Arco de los Gigantes), see left, dating from 1585, there are various remains dating back to Roman times. Go through the arch to see the Royal College Church and the newly discovered Roman city. There is a wonderful bar and restaurant opposite the

 

The Arab castle dominates the town and from here panoramic views can be had. The White Tower and Keep are still standing and are splendid to witness. There are open parks and gardens to rest in at the top.

The municipal museum is housed in the Palacio de Najera, a fine 18th century building. Within the museum are fine exhibits dating from Roman and pre-historic times, as well as a good selection of fine art. The bullring has recently been reconstructed and still holds regular corridas.

 

Antequera's annual fair takes place third week in August. There is also an important agricultural fair in the first week of June with horses and other livestock. We witnessed first-hand the Semana Santa processions in the town, which occur every Easter, when Antequera explodes into colour.

 

 

On the edge of the town lie the famous Dolmen Caves, the most famous in Europe. They consist of funerary constructions dating from 2.500BC. They were discovered in 1905 by a local gardener and are now open to the public. The impressive caves are easy to get to and there is ample car parking close by. See photo right.

The churches of Antequera

Seen from a high point, Antequera really is a 'city of spires' as you can see just about all 20 churches poking out from the rooftops, including;

The Royal Collegiate Church of St.Mary the Greater

Built between 1514 and 1550, this is described as the first Renaissance church built in Aldalucia. It's design and size are truly monumental. It has an interesting facade which was recreated in Granada Cathedral by Alonso Cano. The large interior has the floorplan of a basilica with a central nave, long aisles and large columns. The church is now used for many concerts and performances.

 

Church of El Carmen

Although work started in the 16th century, the construction took many years. This splendid church has a single nave with abutting side chapels. The chancel has three Baroque rerdoses. Every inch of space is covered by angels and saints in un-glided wood.

 

Church of Our Lady of the Ransoms

The church stands next door to the Town Hall and forms part of the same building. With a Latin cross ground plan. it was built in the 17th century. Much of the church is covered with paintings. The Baroque gilded altar is of particular importance.

 

 

 

 

Contacts  
Town council: Plaza de San Sebastián

952 180 254
Antequera Civil Guard Emergency 062 or 952 840 106
Antequera Fire Brigade Emergency
080 or 952 708 103
Antequera National Police Emergency 091 or 952 843 494
Antequera Local Police Emergency 092 or 952 708 104
Antequera Hospital

952 702 010
Post Office Antequera

952 842 083
Red Cross Antequera

952 702 222
   
Transport  
Bus Station Antequera 952 841 957
Train (RENFE) Station Antequera 952 843 226
Low cost car hire in this part of Spain - Instant quotes, online booking and guaranteed reservations. Access to all the top car hire companies in Spain

 

 
The surrounding area contains places of unsuspected beauty. Just 13km away along a surfaced road is a unique natural beauty spot, able to be visited all year round, a wonderful lake, visited by the pink Flamingo. We stayed in Antequera then took a 40 minute drive to Fuente de Piedra to see the famous flamingo lake.
 
The legend of the Lover's Rock
On the boundary with Archidona is a large hillock that resembles a human-like face laying down, said to be that of an Indian warrior. Legend has it that the rock bore witness to a tragic tale of a love affair between a young Christian from Antequera and a Moorish girl from Archidona. Their love for each other was forbidden due to their religions and they fled to the rock with troops on their heels. Rather than spend a lifetime without each other, they threw themselves from the rock in a loving embrace.

 

Lover's Rock, close to Antequera
(can you see the shape of the Indian's face?)

P4S testing engine is 24 hours available for your effective preparation of phr final exams

 

Insurance in spain Bargain priced Insurance for your holiday home in Spain or for your Spanish home. Policies in English and English speaking helplines. The prices are the lowest you will find anywhere
 
Insurance in Spain
 
Do not copy
©2000-2016 Idealspain™ - All rights reserved
Part of the Idealspain™ Group of Companies