 The
unmistakable Sierra Blanca range is visible from any point in the
municipality with it being the geographic feature that best defines this
territory. The municipality is especially mountainous in the northern part,
where some peaks exceed 1,000 metres, and is furrowed by countless
streambeds that still provide something of a natural setting for the
luxurious and aggressive urban development this place has experienced for
the last few decades.
What is now the second largest city in the
province of Málaga hosted its first few settlers in the Palaeolithic period,
as is shown by the tools and weapons found at Coto Correa, in the area of
Las Chapas, and in the Pecho Redondo cave (from the Neolithic period), in
the southern foothills of the Sierra Blanca range. There is no trace of any
other civilization until late in the Carthaginian domination, of which there
are the remains of what may have been a trading post at Río Verde, some five
kilometres from Marbella.
Rome left notable evidence of its passage
through these lands, such as the Río Verde villa, the Guadalmina bathhouses
and various materials found in the historic district of the city. Some do
not discard the possibility that the nucleus of present-day Marbella was
founded by the. In any event the perimeter of the city, which was no doubt
fortified, must have coincided with the present historic centre.
One of the most obvious trademarks of the
past is the Alcazaba wall. Most popularly known as
"The Castle". This wall held inside it the first and most primitive
city dwellers of Marbella, but as times went on and the population grew it
did not take long for people to settle outside the walls, extending itself
into what is known today as the old town. The geographical limits of the
Arab medina can be perfectly seen by the passer by, as all areas dominated
by Arabs have the typical, extraordinarily narrow streets, twisting and
winding uphill, and narrow passageways. The centre of the town still
portrays this Arab style, which at the same time provides the streets with
shade from the hot sun in the summer.
Marbella’s town centre was significantly
altered after the conquest of the Catholic Kings in the
year 1.485. The towns original name of Marbiliya was changed to Marbella,
and given the title of “Noble and Loyal City”. Firstly, in order to make an
administrative centre for the town they had to build a central square, this
was typical of the urbanistic planning of Castilla in those times therefore
they had to demolish all the houses and streets in a certain area and leave
an open space this area is know today as Plaza de los Naranjos “Orange
Square”. Once the square was built and the streets surrounding the area were
relayed it was time to build the governing building. The Town Hall, was
constructed, which maintains today the same administrative functions. The
right hand side of the façade has a series of commemorative plaques in
honour of the conquering of the city, the bringing of water in 1632 and the
posterior enlarging of the building in 1779. The Town Hall is a living
monument to Marbella, dating back to 1568. Other emblematic buildings to be
found such as the Chief Magistrates house, situated to the
left of the Town Hall next to the Apostle Santiago's Chapel, dates back to
the year 1552. The house is unmistakable due to the archway on the upper
floor. This archway, together with the stone façade that frames the door are
authentic ancient Castilian works of art from the 16th century. The
Chief Magistrate was also the owner of the Bazan Hospital,
situated in the street with the same name, where the Museum for
Contemporary Spanish Engravings is now situated, being the best
museum in all of Spain for Contemporary Engravings.
The Church also prospered building the Ermita
de Santiago- the Hermitage of Saint James- El Convento de la Trinidad- The
Trinity Convent-. The San Juan de Dios hospital, and the church of Santo
Cristo, to which the Bazan Hospital would be added later on. Marbella was
well defended by a fortified wall which surrounded the city centre. To the
North, its castle with its fortress, to the South, East and West its towers.
The whole of the city centre was formed of 44
narrow streets, one main square and 4 lesser ones. All of which,
disregarding some minor variations, still exist today. These streets took
their names from conquering people such as Mendoza or Buitrago, as well as
from distinguished locals like Alderete, or from people or objects that were
renowned for their spiritual faith or meaning: Remedios, Virgen de los
Dolores, Trinidad (Trinity), Cruz (Cross), Caridad (Charity) Street, Gloria
(Glory), or for simple references for the local folk such as Pasaje
(Walkaway, lane) Panadería ( Bakery) Alamo (Papler), Viento (Wind) or the
Los Caballeros (Knight Street) lined by many a fine mansion.
The Alameda Park has always been pride and
joy of Marbella. This large green area, forming the lungs of the city, dates
back to the 18th century and in its day spread over an extension of 20.000
m2. Its original design consisted of one main central walk and two lateral
ones, six squares with stone benches and a fountain which still exists
today. It has undergone many a changes over the years until it took on its
present aspect. Some of the things which have disappeared were the niche
which harbored the Christ of the Alameda, the Cross of the Mentidero and a
pond. A variety of rubber plants can be seen in the park gardens of which a
magnificent specimen, the Ficus Pandurata, really stands out. There are also
some species of pine trees such the Pinus Pinae not to mention a large
variety of other valuable botanical species.
Marbella is also well known for its fair held
in honour of the Patron Saint of the city, Saint Bernabé, held in the week
surrounding the 11th of June, it commemorates the conquest of the city by
the Catholic Kings in the year 1485. During these days the residents and
visitors enjoy all the enchantment an Andalusian charm. During the day time,
the old town and the Alameda Park are an obliged meeting point (mostly
wearing typical dress) who stroll around the streets, enjoying
"tapas", drinking, singing and dancing. Once night falls, the fun
continues at the Fair Ground until early hours of the morning. The
"casetas", the "rides", the concerts and many
other offers that are available close each of the days that make up this
traditional and picturesque fair.
Marbella has become the Nº 1 quality resort
of the Costa del Sol. It has the highest per capita income in Europe and
more Rolls Royce’s and Ferrari’s can be seen than in any other European
city. Curiously, there's been a massive return of Arabs to the area,
especially since King Fahd of Saudi Arabia built a White House look-alike,
complete with adjacent mosque, on the town's outskirts.
For those wishing to rub shoulders with the
rich and famous we have Puerto Banus, this is the place you want to be if
you are looking for an exciting and extravagant destination. A haven for
shopaholics, sun seekers and party lovers, Puerto Banus is a favourite hot
spot on the Costa del Sol. Although it is not very big it does have a lot on
offer. There is a very glamorous feel down at Puerto Banus Marina. Here you
will find giant luxury yachts, dozens of designer boutiques, great
restaurants, bars and discos not to mention countless Ferraris and Porsches
parked outside the glitzy bars and restaurants. It may sound all a bit too
posh, but the town is popular with all kinds of tourists. It is a fun place
to be even if you are not the owner of a private boat!
This was the first marina-style yacht harbour
to be built on the Costa del Sol. Some of the newer yacht harbours may be
more intimate or more architecturally attractive, but none has been able to
match Puerto Banús's unique atmosphere and trendy aura, thanks to which
Puerto Banús has been a household name internationally since it first opened
nearly thirty years ago.
In 1963 José Banús Masdeu, who had
accumulated a fortune as a real estate developer in Madrid, started building
a new residential complex west of Marbella, called Nueva Andalucía. At that
time Marbella was a fashionable and exclusive retreat for the rich and
titled old families of Europe. The crowning achievement was, of course,
Puerto Banús, a yacht harbour on a scale never seen before, with a
Mediterranean-style village attached. It was officially opened in May 1970,
and in August that year Banús organised a party to introduce the world to
his baby. The event was an indication of the scale on which Don José
operated. The 1,700 guests included the Aga Khan, film director Roman
Polanski, Playboy owner Hugh Heffner, Doctor Christian Barnard (pioneer of
the heart transplant), and Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Julio Iglesias was contracted to sing for the guests for the enormous (at
the time) sum of 125,000 pesetas. In all the bash cost Banús eight million
pesetas, which included hiring an army of 300 waiters from Seville and
flying in 50 pounds of Beluga caviar.
 Ever
since, Puerto Banús has been an obligatory stop for visiting celebrities and
aristocrats. The Saudi royal family and the Arab zillionaire Adnan Khassogi
have been among those who regularly berthed their super-yachts here. The
port has nine berths for the big yachts of over 150 feet, which pay up to
2000 euros a day during high season in berthing fees.
According to the port's own estimates, some
36,000 people visit Puerto Banús daily during the August high season, with a
total of 5 million visitors a year, and not all of them are yacht owners or
film stars. Most are day trippers admiring the floating palaces berthed next
to the port's control tower or hoping to glimpse Bruce Willis, Antonio
Banderas or Sting. Some even pretend to be millionaires for the day by
renting a sports car, chartering a boat for a day's tuna fishing, or
spending some serious money in one of the port's 95 fashion boutiques. After
a morning's shopping they can eat at some of the coast's best restaurants,
which include such well known names as Antonio, Taberna del Alabardero and
La Dorada. In the evening the tradition is to head for Sinatra's or Salduba,
two bars strategically-located next to the port entrance, to meet friends,
make new ones, and decide where to go to next. There's plenty to choose
from: in all, Puerto Banús keeps its visitors well fed, well fuelled and
well entertained.
For those wishing to play golf, Marbella is
surrounded by championship golf courses and driving ranges there are more
than 20 courses just in the municipality of Marbella alone. There are few
places in the world that can match the Costa del Sol as destination for golf
tourism. The Costa del Golf (as affectionately known by golfers) is proving
to be irresistible. Golf course owners are re-investing in their courses to
improve their quality still further and there are no longer any weak links,
each course offering its own kind of challenge on perfect fairways and
greens. The demand is so great that many new courses are being developed and
in the more popular courses rounds need to be booked months in advance.
|
