Sunday, April 29, 2018, Malaga (Granada), Spain

The heart of southern Spain, Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history.  Granada was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 Reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs.  The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph.  Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.  The palace overlooks the Albaicin district, a medieval quarter of narrow winding streets that recalls Granada’s Moorish past. 

Panoramic Malaga & Picasso Museum

On today's shore excursion we started off at the birthplace of one of Málaga’s most famous native sons, Pablo Picasso, and visited the museum dedicated to his work.  We experienced the seaside Andalusian city of Málaga and got to know one of the oldest cities in the world by coach and on foot.  Our informative guide explained the city’s rich history as we passed grand 19th-century buildings such as City Hall, the Old Justice Court, and the Central Post Office.  We continued past the beautiful Alcazaba Palace, the best preserved citadel in Spain.  The residence of Arabian caliphs was built in the 11th century.  The adjacent Gibralfaro Castle is an ancient legacy of the Moors.  We briefly stopped here to take in superb views of the city below.  Back in Málaga’s city center, we walked to the 16th-century Renaissance Cathedral, one of Spain’s beloved national monuments.  From there we saw the ruins of a Roman theater.  

 Sunrise as we docked at Malaga pier.

First stop on our shore excursion was at Picasso's birth place.  The bronze figure above is just a half-block away.

PICASSO AND MALAGA.  Picasso’s relationship with his native city was distant but nostalgic.  Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born in Malaga’s centrally located Plaza de la Merced on 25 October 1881.  Ten years later he let with his family for La Coruna.  For three years he returned to Malaga during the summer; his last visit to the city dates from Christmas 1900 in the company of his friend, the painter Carlos Casagemas.  Having spent three weeks enjoying café-concerts in the city and visiting relatives, Picasso left Malaga in January 1901, never to return.  He was nineteen and at that point embarked on a career that was marked by success in Barcelona and subsequently in France.  After half a century away from Spain, Picasso was contacted by Juan Temboury Alverez, a local intellectual, who would keep him up to date on life in Malaga.  In 1931, in an article entitled “Malaga and the Painter Picasso,” published in the May issue of the magazine Malaga, Temboury emphasized how important it was for the city not to forget the artist.

 Monument to his memory.

Picasso was born on the first floor (first floor above ground floor) at the left end of the building above.  His father was an art teacher at a university (ever wondered how Pablo got his start?).

 Picasso was baptized in the sand colored church above; his uncle was the priest.

THE BUENAVISTA PALACE AND THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE.  The Palicio de los Condes de Buenavista, a Renaissance building with Mudejar elements that is home to the Museo Pifcasso Malaga, was declared a National Monument in 1939.  It has been enlarged with a series of modern structures that extend in the manner of a traditional white Andalusian village toward the Arabic fortress and the Roman Theater.  In addition, in the subsoil of the Palace there is an archeological site with remains of 7^th-century BC Phoenician Malaga as well as elements dating from various periods of the Roman era and parts of the old, Golden Age building.

Court yard in the museum building.  We were not permitted to take pictures inside the museum. 

The Cathedral of Málaga is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Málaga in Andalusia in southern Spain.  It is in the Renaissance architectural tradition.  The cathedral is located within the limits defined by a now missing portion of the medieval Moorish walls, the remains of which surround the nearby Alcazaba and the Castle of Gibralfaro.  It was constructed between 1528 and 1782, following the plans drawn by Diego de Siloe; its interior is also in Renaissance style. 

Because it was Sunday we could not go in.

 Bishop's residence and offices.

Roman ruins.

 Historic post office.

City Hall.

Arabian/Spanish horses doing a great job for their riders.

Views from a hilltop overlook.