In the 8th century, the Phoenicians chose a favorable location for the construction of a new settlement: a bay serving as a natural harbor, with silver and copper deposits discovered nearby. Malaga—the first name of the future city—developed rapidly economically, as it served as a well-protected transit base and had strong ties with other cities. Much later, at various times, the production of wine, raisins, and silk brought in revenue, sugar cane cultivation, and metallurgy and metalworking, leatherworking, and ceramics developed.
Today, Málaga is the capital of the province of the same name, the second-most populous city in Andalusia, and the sixth-largest in Spain. It is a renowned seaside resort with a rich infrastructure and a port where large cruise ships dock. Its large international airport receives aircraft from many countries. Tourism, agriculture, winemaking, and fishing currently form the basis of the economy.
The townspeople treasure the surviving evidence of their land's rich history. From the Arab Alcazaba, a passage leads to the Gibralfaro lighthouse fortress—this entire monumental complex is perched on a high mountain. Nearby stands an ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 1st century BC. The Cathedral of the Incarnation, popularly nicknamed La Manquita because of its unfinished south tower and the upper part of its main façade, is the main church in the capital of the Costa del Sol, built on the site of the Arab Aliama Mosque.
Modern museums are also popular among locals and tourists. The Glass Museum presents a collection of exhibits from the Phoenician, Islamic, and Byzantine eras. There are English stained glass windows, and works by Dutch and Venetian glassblowers. You can also see a collection of antique mirrors, paintings, and carpets. The Wine Museum introduces the history of winemaking and features more than 120 types of vintage wines. One of them is Moscatel. For several centuries, this sweet Malaga wine has enjoyed great popularity throughout Europe and was the favorite drink of the Russian Empress Catherine II. The King and Queen of Spain arrived at the grand opening of the Picasso Museum in October 2003. The famous artist holds the Guinness Book of Records as the most prolific creator. The automobile museum presents rare cars, from self-propelled carriages to prestigious models of the late 60s, created by such companies as Rolls-Royce, Packard, and Bugatti.
The La Concepción Botanical Garden has a history spanning over 150 years and boasts remarkable biological diversity. Its 23-hectare site includes a 3-hectare garden, declared a historical and artistic monument, in the center. The collection features tropical and subtropical flora from Oceania, Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. The park boasts the oldest olive tree in the world, estimated to be 400 years old.
In 1862, the great storyteller Hans Christian Andersen visited Málaga. On the house where he lived, there's a plaque with his words: "In no part of Spain have I felt so happy, and nowhere have I felt so at home as in Málaga. Its people are so spirited, and its sea so wide, all so necessary and so luxurious for me, and I found it all here... And most importantly, I found that the people are so welcoming and friendly."
And now nothing has changed - the townspeople are just as welcoming and friendly, the city has opened its heart wide to everyone who enters and provided the best it has.
