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Antequera is becoming an increasingly popular Andalucian interior base, sitting conveniently just 45km north of capital Malaga along the fast A45. The largest of the interior rural bases near Malaga and the Costa Del Sol Coast, Antequera got its name from the Romans (Antequera means ancient city). The entire Moorish population of Antequera was deported by Fernando of Castille after the conquest of 1410. Under the Christains Antequera saw a building boom. To the east of Antequera base yourself in the pretty village of Archidona and you'll be locating yourself a little closer to Granada. Indeed Archidona sits just on the Granada region's border.
The Arab quarter, with Alcazaba remains (from which atop there are spectacular views of the Antequera region) sits to the north west of the town. Hailing from the Christian building boom, Antequera has a huge number of religious sites - churches, convents and religious monuments - Antequera has them all. In fact, the town of Antequera has the largest number of monuments in Andalucia. This, combined with the some of Europe's largest megalithic dolmen caves situated nearby and adjacent stunning Natural Park of El Torcal de Antequera, makes Antequera one of the best historic and rural bases in Andalucia. To the north west of the town is a highlight - the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, one of largest brackish-water lakes on the Iberian Peninsula and an important nesting site for pink flamingos. The Lobo Wolf Park (40 acres) is situated just to the west of Antequera.
Where to start with Antequera's choice of monuments, historic churches, museums and of course its famous Moorish Alcazaba. Like Malaga, Antequera is seeing a cultural boom, blending both historic sights and surrounding stunning landscapes and protected parks well. Antequera boomed particularly under the Christians in the 15th and 16th centuries, but a good place to start your exploration of the town is to visit the Alcazabar in the Arab quarter situated high on a hill above the town (good panoramic photograph opportunities up here!). The Moors built the Alcazabar in Antequera on the site of an old Roman fortress. To reach the Alcazaba you pass through the Arco de los Gigantes (Giant's Arch) entrance dating from 1585. Not restored quite as extensively as say Almeria's Alcazaba, there are still remains plus an attractive garden to the front, and of course the views.
Visit Antequera's tourist information centre on hub Plaza de San Sebastian for a map identifying where the many museums and historic monuments and churches are situated around the town. The list is long and includes a Renaissance fountain, a Municipal Museum, the palace of the Marqueses de la Pena de los Enamorados, Granada Gate, the San Agustin convent and the Colegiata de San Sebastian. The Municipal Museum on Pl.Coso Viejo is well worth a visit for a thorough insight into the history and culture of the Antequera area, plus to view the first century Roman bronze - El Efebo de Antequera discovered in 1955 in a nearby farm.
Antequera's Plaza de Toros bullring and adjacent Bullfighting museum is almost as famous as Ronda. It's not as old though, and dates from the 19th century. Renovated in the 1980s, the architectural beauty of Antequera's bullring is another string to Antequera's bow. The three rooms of adjacent Museo Taurino (bullfighting museum) explore further the history of bullfighting, national fiestas in the area and the Corrida tradition specific to Antequera. (Corrida traditions are different slightly in every Spanish town and city). The 'Trajes de Luces' suit of lights worn by some of Spain's most acclaimed matadors, Curro Romero included, is also here in the Museo Taurino in Antequera. Museo Taurina Bullfighting Museum, Carretera del Albergue, s/n, Antequera. Tel. 952 70 25 05.
Antequera Tourist Information Office, 7 San Sebastian Plaza 29200, Antequera, Spain. Tel. (00 34) 952 702 505.
The megalithic dolmen burial tombs of Menga, Viera and El Romeral are all close to Antequera. Menga and Viera are just 1.5km to the north east via the N331 road. These fascinating bolder tombs are some of Europe's largest and date from between 2500 to 1800 BC. The Menga Dolman consists of a huge 31 slabs. Find El Romeral just 5km from Antequera further north from Menga. Seek further information and directions if needed from the Tourist Information Centre at Antequera.
The largest and perhaps most impressive (if you only have time to visit one) of the megalithic Dolmens is Menga at 25m long and 4m high. All the burial tombs are free to enter and a car park area is adjacent. How these huge stones (the largest at 180 tonnes is at Menga) were hauled down to these spots is still somewhat of a mystery.
A pretty drive just 16km south of Antequera takes you to the El Torcal de Antequera Natural Park. This park is renowned for it's unusual and distinctive limestone rock formations, and marked paths throughout the park make them easy to view.
El Torcal, including the Sierra Pelada, covers around 20 square km, and the dramatic limestone rock formations - natural art - on display most dramatically in the Torcal Alto area of the park were once underwater millions of years ago. These awe-inspiring rock shapes were formed by water and wind. Pushed up by violent collisions in the earth's crust, they sit here now well above sea level. A natural wonder in Andalucia they are well worth the day trip or detour. When exploring in El Torcal it's best to stick to the marked paths. There's strong potential to get disorientated if you stray from the paths.
We haven't finished yet with natural wonders around Antequera. The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, officially recognised as a nature park, sits to the north west of Antequera. This huge brackish-water lake is one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. A big draw is the flamingo that nest here, attracted to the shallow brackish lake and marshes in the area which provide a source of food. The flamingo colony at Fuete de Piedra is the largest on the Iberian Peninsula. They arrive in February in vast numbers. It's a special sight, as this is one of the few locations that they nest inland.For a detailed map of the Laguna and more information see the weblink right. Numerous other birds frequent the lagoon, but obviously February when the flamingos arrive is always a good time to visit.
Just to the west of Antequera sits the Lobo Wolf Park (see weblink right for details). A mammoth 40 acres make up the park, which is divided into four large enclosures which are home to European wolves, Timber wolves and rare white Alaska Tundra wolves as well as Iberian wolves. Guided tours operate around four times a day.
Rather a good park this one, as the wolves' social development is not interfered with and natural environments are created within the huge amount of space. See the Lobo Park website for guided tour times.
Also on-site you can horse ride and visit the petting zoo.
Lobo Wolf Park Antequera, Ctra. Antequera-Alora (A343), 16 km, Apartado de correos 244 29200 Antequera, Spain. Tel. (00 34) 952 03 11 07.
Just on the Granada border, Archidona sees you closer to Granada and serves as an excellent small town rural base.
More of an Andalucian rural retreat, Archidona is quieter than Antequera. Car Rental from Malaga Airport is recommended if you're based here, making it easier to push out. Some buses are operating, but public transport is limited.
The hub of this small town is Plaza de la Victoria. Churches, Convents and a sanctuary are in the town,
Archidona Tourist Information Office, Plaza de Ochavada 2. Tel. 952 716 479.
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