Marbella is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Andalusia, Spain. It is a popular beach resort of the Costa del Sol and an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Northern Europe and the US.
Marbella © flickr/fernand0
The heart of Marbella old town is Orange Square which dates back to 1485. It is surrounded by historical white washed buildings, the town hall, the Old Governor’s House and the Chapel of Santiago. Right of the Old Governor’s House is a stone fountain built by the first Mayor of Christian Marbella in 1504. The town hall with a sun dial at the front was erected in 1568. Some of the stone inscriptions on the building date back to 11 June 1485 when Marbella was re-conquered from the Moors.
The Church of St Mary is the town’s most important building and was built in the 17th century. The main façade has a magnificent Baroque style entrance made of red stone. The church’s organ is one of the most important organs built in Spain. It was built from 1972 to 1975 made up of 5000 pewter, copper and wooden pipes, four manual keyboards of 56 notes, a 36 note pedal and various other special features. An old tower which used to be part of the wall that surrounded the Moorish town still stands in the church square.
The Roman Baths first discovered in 1926 date back to the 3rd century and are built around an octagonal patio which in its time was encrypted. The octagonal pool was 1.2 metres deep. Visitors who are interested in visiting the baths located next to the beach in Guadalmina can get the keys from the San Pedro de Alcantera tourist office. Also remains of Roman times are the Roman Villa Mosaics. The well preserved floors date back to the 1st and 2nd century. The most beautiful of the mosaic floors shows a Medusa’s head with four snakes on her head and 2 more around her neck.
The Marbella Mosque is not a remainder of Moorish times but the first mosque to be constructed after the re-conquest in the 15th century.
Also really magnificent and worth a visit are the numerous parks and gardens of Marbella. Almost all the towns open spaces have been plated with beautiful flowers and plants. The larger parks and gardens are Nagueles Park, Parque de las Medranas, Parque de la Constitution, La Alameda and King Fahiad Gardens. If you take the road to Ojén you get to another beautiful park named Juanar. Here you can find pine, walnut and olive trees as well as wild orchids and even animals. From ‘El Mirador’ at the highest point you have one of the most spectacular views of Marbella.
Worth a visit for lovers of plants also is the Bonsai Museum of Marbella with its exquisite exhibit of bonsai trees. And if you are rather interested in the works of Picasso, Miró, Tapies, Chillida and others you should visit the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engravings in the former palace of Don Alonso de Bazán.
If you like to haggle and want to buy a nice souvenir you should visit the great flea market next to the bullring of Puerto Banus. There you can find almost everything. The Spanish have an unique, bright and exuberant clothing style. Andalucia is the home of the flamenco dress and the beauty of this traditional clothing and the passion of their wearers is legendary around the world. Although these days it is more common to see tourists and locals walking around in fancy swimwear you can still add a touch of flamenco drama to your outfit with a traditional polka dot skirt that are ten to a dozen on the flea market stalls. And after you have bought something nicely how about watching the luxury yachts at Puerto Banus Marina while having a nice meal in one of the open air restaurants.
Puerto Banus © flickr/JVP pHoTOs
Marbella not only offers superb shopping facilities but also splendid restaurants, cafés and bars. If you walk along the promenade of Marbella which is one of the most attractive of the Costa del Sol you will find many pavement cafés and restaurants not only offering good food but also the possibility to watch the people passing by. And the town also is famous throughout the world for its glamorous night life the most exclusive clubs, discos and music bars can be found at Puerto Banus and the Golden Mile.
Marbella also is a good starting point for day trips to Morocco, Gibraltar, Seville and many other destinations.
