| Antequera |
|
The town and valley are overlooked by an enormous crag of limestone, 880 metres high,
called La Peña de los Enamorados, or "The Lover's 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. Here us a shot of the Castle dominating the the towns landscape. |
|
|
One of Antequera's most impressive sights is its dolmens, located in a park to the west
of the town, the most spectacular of which is the Cueva de la Menga. These megalithic mass
tombs, made of huge slabs of rock, were created by the original Iberian people and date
back 5,000 years. There are many such dolmens in Andalucía, but none as large as the Cueva
de la Menga. When it was excavated in the nineteenth century, many hundreds of skeletons
were found in its inner chamber.
|
|
Surrounding Antequera is rich farmland, one of Andalucia's most fertile areas, producing
asparagus, cereals and olives. In the summer the fields are full of sunflowers. This is the square in the town.
| 
|
|
A visit to the convent of the Descalzas is well worth it, the barefoot carmelitas on
the square of the same name. Next to a revolving wooden door is a small counter with
a display of baker products with prices attached. You pull a rope which rings a bell.
A woman will say "si" whereupon you give your order and place your money in the tray.
A hidden nun will spin the tray around and your pastries arrive.
If Spanish history is one of your interests Antequera is a must.
|
|
|
|
|
|
