Malaga is a town rich on culture and monuments. During the past centuries, many were the civilisations, which stepped though this region, leaving their traces: Phoenicians, Arabs, Romans, Carthaginian.. until the definite reconquest of Andalusia in the 15th Century.

Chronologically, the following are the most important sites/buildings to visit in Malaga.

The archaeological site of Cerro del Villar. This was one of the most important colonial centres of the Phoenicians on the Andalusian coastline. Its foundation was laid in mid 8th Century, AD. This habitat is the first appropriation of the Phoenicians on the western coastline of Malaga. It is very close to Malaga city, at apprx. 8km.

On the other side is the Roman Theatre, located on the feet of the Alcazaba. It was in 1951 discovered. The theatre dates back to the Augusto period and survived until the 3rd Century BC.


Moslem heritage is the Alcazaba, the most important Islamic medieval construction which reached the region. Now it is host of the Provincial Archaeological Museum, which has some special treasure like Palaeolithic pieces and other antic Mediterranean cultures on show.

Also from the Moslem period dates the Castle of Gibralfaro. The Arabes enforced the structure of the castle and was baptised mount Jabal-Faruk (mount of the lighthouse). It was constructed in the 15th Century by the Moslem King Yusuf. For the general diffusion of artillery it was necessary to modify the castle into a fortress to protect the Alcazaba, which was unprotected.

Other buildings to be visited in Malaga are the remains of the reconquest. To start with the Cathedral of the Incarnation, founded by the Catholic Kings, overshadowing the original Mezquita Mayor of the town. This represents the great monument of Malaga. From the same period is the Church of Santiago, it is the oldest of Malaga, founded in 1490.

The Palace Buenavista in the old town, is a building from the 16th Centrury and which actually hosts the Museo Picasso.

The Plaza de la Merced is a square of the 19th Century, in the centre of the square a obelisk rises, which was installed in 1842 to commemorate the execution of Torrijos. The square was in the 15th Century a public market place, and site of leisure and amusement for the bohemians of the late 19th Century.

Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta was build in 1875 and can host 14.000 people. The monument of the Marqués de Larios was constructed in the late 19th Century at the entrance of the street of the same name. Oeuvre of the sculptor Mariano Benlliure.

The more recent history points to the house of Pablo Ruiz Picasso, bought by the town hall of Malaga in 1988 and which is today the seat of the Foundation Pablo Ruiz Picasso, converted in a Museum and Library, hosting documentary photos and bibliographies of the painter. Also cultural events are held here. In the gardens of Picasso, is a sculpture of the famous artist realised by the sculptor Berrocal in 1976.