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Tourist information Outstanding sights Outstanding sights: Antequera
Tourist information Outstanding sights Outstanding sights: Antequera
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In an easily accessible area just outside the city stands the Antequera megalithic complex, considered the most important in Europe both for the kind of construction of the three monuments that form it (the dolmens of Menga, Viera and El Romeral) and for the fact they are all close together (especially those of Menga and Viera) despite belonging to different eras. The first, the Menga dolmen (2500 BC), is covered by giant slabs and is the only one with anthropomorphic inscriptions. One of these weighs 180 metric tons, which gives some idea of the colossal scale of this work. The Viera dolmen (2000 BC) is a sepulchre. Its corridor and chamber, formed by five huge slabs, have been preserved. The El Romeral dolmen (1800 BC) differs from the first two in that the problem of covering the corridor was resolved by the construction of a false or corbel vault, in which the opposing rows of stone are brought successively closer to one another as they near the ceiling. It has two chambers, and in the second one part of the sepulchre’s furnishings were found.
The Collegiate Church of Santa María stands on a rise of ground that affords a view of a large part of the city, with the towers and belfries of its many churches and convents especially attracting the attention. This was the first Renaissance building in Andalusia, although various other styles are apparent in its structure. It was built between 1514 and 1550 and presents a majestic and well-balanced façade of shaped stone, with three vertical sections separated by buttresses. Its interior, with a basilica floor plan, is notable for the monumental Ionic columns that separate the three naves. The main chapel has a quadrangular floor plan and is covered by a Gothic-Mudéjar vault, while each of the three naves is covered by a meticulously executed Mudéjar roof frame. Worship services have not been held in this temple for some time now and it is used to host concerts and expositions. It therefore has no religious decorations in any of its chapels. This ornamental sobriety imposes, if such is possible, an even greater monumental atmosphere upon the premises.The Nájera Palace, a beautiful Baroque edifice, houses the collections of the Municipal Museum, which amount to a detailed journey through the city’s history. The famed “Efebo de Antequera” (Youth of Antequera) is exhibited on the ground floor.
This is without any doubt the most important piece in the museum’s collections. It is a hollow bronze figure, dated to the first century AD, of a very young boy. A number of experts consider this piece one of the most beautiful in all of Roman sculpture. The “Efebo” has, in fact, been exhibited on occasion outside our country in international expositions. On the ground floor, there is also a magnificent display of the work of the Antequera artist Cristóbal Toral. On the first floor, which is devoted to religious art, an exquisite Saint Francis of Assisi by Pedro de Mena is particularly noteworthy.
Any visitor who tours the historic old quarter of this city will in any event encounter along his way dozens of monuments from different eras and of different styles that cannot fail to attract his attention and will have him constantly using his camera or video recorder.
How to get there
Coming from Málaga, the quickest route to Antequera is Highway N-331 (A-45). Upon arriving in the Antequera, lowlands take the A-7282 and after 2 kilometres, you will enter the urban district of Antequera.
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Costa del Sol Tourist Board – Plaza del Siglo, nº 2. 29015 Málaga Tel:+34952126272 Fax:+34952225207 info@costadelsol.travel
