The area surrounding Humilladero is a beautiful part of Andalucia, it has the flamingo lake 10 minutes away, El Torcal 25 minutes away and El Chorro and the lakes 30 minutes away.
The Pink Lagoon
The
Lagoon is considered to be one of the largest natural lagoons in Spain.
Measuring more than six kilometers long and nearly three kilometers
wide, the lagoon provides an ideal breeding spot for what surely must be
one of the most elegant and exquisite birds in the world.
The
lagoon is significant, in part because of its geographical location
which is very close to the African continent and is thus a strategic
point for migrating birds seeking rest before crossing the Mediterranean
to spend the winter in Africa. Also, this locale is situated beside the
French Camarga which is one of only two places in the entire Eastern
Mediterranean where flamingos typically breed. It's not surprising,
therefore, that this lagoon is deemed a protected zone in an
international treaty, as the loss of this unique enclave would cause a
serious set back for the flamingo population.
EL TORCAL
El Torcal Park Nature Reserve is known for it's unusual limestone rock formations. Within El Torcal Park's 17 square km are some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe. The whole area was under sea until one hundred million years ago.
Then the violent movements of the Earth's crust forced it upward into hills and mountains up to 1.300 m, the limestone still kept its layered horizontal formation. Because of this, over the millions of years the rain and wind have been able to chisel away at these layers to form incredible shapes.
To reach the heart of the park it is possible to drive up to 1.100 m. above sea level along a good access road into the park. At the parking area you will find an information centre, small museum, with an interesting of view of the wildlife, flora and fauna of the park. Orchid enthusiasts will be captivated by the 30 varieties of the plant growing in the park.
There are three routes through the park for walkers and have been marked out with different coloured arrows on wooden sticks. The green route is the shortest and easiest, 1,5 km. and takes about 30 minutes. The yellow route covers most of the green area, is 2,5 km. long and takes you to "Las Ventanillas" The Windows, at 1.200 m. for panoramic views of the valley of Málaga. Finally the red route is the longest and most difficult, 4,5 km. taking about three hours, with a viewing point 1.339 m. up where you can see the whole of the El Torcal Park and the Africa Coastline.
El Chorro and the Lakes.
Imagine three stunningly beautiful turquoise coloured lakes bordered by pine forests. A tranquil retreat where you can swim , fish, or picnic on the lake shore. Hardly sounds like a typical Andalucian scene, does it! But that is what you will find. Malaga's "Lake District" is in fact three artificial lakes created by a dam built across the dramatic 200 m. high Guadalhorce river gorge, known as the Garganta del Chorro.
At the village of El Chorro there is a small bridge across the middle of the gorge, built during the construction of the reservoir between 1914 and 1921. The dam was officially opened in 1921 by King Alfonso XIII of Spain and on this occasion he took a walk along the specially constructed catwalk, called El Camino del Rey (The King's Path), pinned to the face of the gorge some 100 m. above the river. The Camino del Rey, actually dates back to 1906, by some accounts. It is officially closed to the public pending repairs. On January 21 2006 the regional government announced that there were funds available in the 2006 budget to make repairs to the path.
El Chorro has a railway station on the line that runs from Malaga to Bobadillo, the line runs through the mountains and was used in the filming of Von Ryans express.
ANTEQUERA
A visit to this historical Andalucían town is a journey almost 5,000 years back in time, beginning with the Bronze Age and the native Iberians. The timeline is there to be followed in this fascinating city's profusion of burial mounds, dolmens, Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers.
The first sighting of Antequera in the distance is that of a typical medieval town, with the spires of her many churches and the walls and towers of the great Moorish fortress silhouetted against the sky. Spread out in the valley below lie rich farmlands irrigated by the Guadalhorce River. For centuries this has been one of Andalucía's most fertile areas, and is currently a leading producer of asparagus, cereals and olives. In summer, its fields turn brilliant yellow with sunflowers.
The town and valley are overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high, called La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lovers' 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 hurl themselves into the abyss.
THE CASTLE
The Alcazaba de Antequera is a fine castle built by the Moors, but subsequently altered by the Christians. situated on a hill overlooking the town, and providing superb views over the town and surrounding countryside, particularly from the top of the battlements and towers.
When we visited it, entry was free and there were free guided tours available, although we chose to go round on our own. However, we heard that they are intending to introduce a small entry fee.
Builders were working on a large open area in the centre of the castle, creating what looked as if it would be an events venue for concerts etc.
THE DOLMENS
The Dolmens are very ancient burial mounds situated on the outskirts of Antequera, which visitors can walk into. Two of them, Dólmen de Menga and Dólmen de Viera are situated adjacent to each other, and the other, the Dólmen del Romeral is situated in a different area a few miles away.
The city of Antequera now has a population of 42,000. This city is in the geographical center ofAndalusia, between Malaga, Seville, Granada andCordoba. The economy is good because the city has an industrial park that is filled with new companies. Since it is the center of Andalusia, many companies that distribute goods, such as supermarkets, have made this their distribution center. Land is cheaper here than in the big cities like Malaga. The high speed Ave train passes here and they are plans for an international airport also. Many people who live here are prosperous because of their farms.
People have been living in the area since the bronze age. First the Iberians were here, then the Tartassus tribes, followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Moors. The Romans called their town Sincilia Barba. The Moors called their town Medina Antecaria. In 1410 the Infante Don Fernando conquered the town for the Christians. The Napoleonic invasion and the yellow fever of 1804 decimated the town but the town has now recovered and is very prosperous.
The Baroque period was the most prosperous time in Antequera and 32 churches were built during that time, as well as many private palaces. It is said that about 65% of the artistic wealth of the Province of Malaga is found in Antequera. Many noblemen and aristocrats lived in the city, and today there are many wealthy people who still live here.
The first sighting of Antequera in the distance is that of a typical medieval town, with the spires of her many churches and the walls and towers of the great Moorish fortress silhouetted against the sky. Spread out in the valley below lie rich farmlands irrigated by the Guadalhorce River. For centuries this has been one of Andalucía's most fertile areas, and is currently a leading producer of asparagus, cereals and olives. In summer, its fields turn brilliant yellow with sunflowers.
The town and valley are overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high, called La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lovers' 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 hurl themselves into the abyss.
THE CASTLE
The Alcazaba de Antequera is a fine castle built by the Moors, but subsequently altered by the Christians. situated on a hill overlooking the town, and providing superb views over the town and surrounding countryside, particularly from the top of the battlements and towers.
When we visited it, entry was free and there were free guided tours available, although we chose to go round on our own. However, we heard that they are intending to introduce a small entry fee.
Builders were working on a large open area in the centre of the castle, creating what looked as if it would be an events venue for concerts etc.
THE DOLMENS
The Dolmens are very ancient burial mounds situated on the outskirts of Antequera, which visitors can walk into. Two of them, Dólmen de Menga and Dólmen de Viera are situated adjacent to each other, and the other, the Dólmen del Romeral is situated in a different area a few miles away.
The city of Antequera now has a population of 42,000. This city is in the geographical center ofAndalusia, between Malaga, Seville, Granada andCordoba. The economy is good because the city has an industrial park that is filled with new companies. Since it is the center of Andalusia, many companies that distribute goods, such as supermarkets, have made this their distribution center. Land is cheaper here than in the big cities like Malaga. The high speed Ave train passes here and they are plans for an international airport also. Many people who live here are prosperous because of their farms.
People have been living in the area since the bronze age. First the Iberians were here, then the Tartassus tribes, followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Moors. The Romans called their town Sincilia Barba. The Moors called their town Medina Antecaria. In 1410 the Infante Don Fernando conquered the town for the Christians. The Napoleonic invasion and the yellow fever of 1804 decimated the town but the town has now recovered and is very prosperous.
The Baroque period was the most prosperous time in Antequera and 32 churches were built during that time, as well as many private palaces. It is said that about 65% of the artistic wealth of the Province of Malaga is found in Antequera. Many noblemen and aristocrats lived in the city, and today there are many wealthy people who still live here.
