Saturday 27th October 2018

We arose at 8 a.m. and quickly prepared breakfast, then getting ourselves on the road to Malaga by 10 a.m.

The trip took about one hour and we parked in the underground car park in the city center.

It was a very short walk to the bustling central district's narrow streets. 

The crowded bustling streets of Malaga on a Saturday afternoon.

We decided to make our first stop at the Picasso Museum as there are often long queues there to enter. We arrived at the museum and there was quite a large throng outside, some were tour groups and some individuals like us. In the event, we did not have to wait more than about 15 minutes before we were inside the museum. To our delight, as this day was the exact day of the 15th anniversary of the opening of the museum, admission was free. So we left our bags, took the audio guides offered and set off into the museum.

Picasso, who died in 1973 was born on 25th October 1881 in Malaga. Although he left at the age of ten and only returned for three summers thereafter, his final visit to the city was at the age of 19. Despite his relatively short time in Malaga, he wanted to leave some of his collection to the city and this was helped by the formation in 2009 of the Fundacion Museo Picasso Malaga by Legado Paul, Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, the artist's grandchildren. The museum was established in the site of the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista which is a Renaissance building which arose from original buildings dating from the 7th century BC. The museum opened on 27th October 2003 and the Fundacion guarantees that the artist's work will always be present in Malaga.

There were two collections in the museum. One was of Picasso's work as it developed from his early years with a portrait of his sister, through his various periods and styles. The other collection paired works by more 'conventional' artists, such as Velasquez, with representations of similar subjects by Picasso which was a fascinating exhibition. The audio guide was helpful if a bit detailed and intellectual for someone who is trying to appreciate the art visually while also trying to understand the aural explanations of the work. I did listen to quite a bit of the commentary but at some point decided to concentrate on the visual and abandon the aural. Photography was not allowed in the museum so I do not have any but after we left, I did find out that in some parts of the museum it was allowed but by then I had missed my chance.

The interior courtyard of the Picasso Museum

After the museum, we found a small tea shop called La Teteria de San Augustin in Calle San Augustin right by the church of the same name. Here we had lunch with crepes, salad, sandwiches and drinks.

After being refreshed, we proceeded on to the cathedral. There are no adjectives which can describe adequately, the interior of this church. Stunning, amazing, incredible, magnificent simply do not amply cover the interior decoration and stonework of the place. It was built on the site of a mosque which dated from very ancient times and was gradually built up over centuries until it was completed in the 18th century. The main part of the cathedral is 49 meters high with a stone vaulted roof. It is divided into numerous chapels each dedicated to the saints. The choir and the organ are simply gorgeous with carvings, statues and reliefs on all sides. The church is dedicated to the 'Incarnation'. Many different artists have contributed, over the years, to the religious artwork in the interior. At the time we were there, a couple of men were decorating with fresh flowers what seemed to be a float carried on the shoulders of bearers for what we supposed would be some sort of religious pageant through the streets on Sunday.

One exterior and many interior photos of the Malaga Cathedral, they cannot convey the real scale and grandeur of the decoration.

Leaving the cathedral, we walked the short distance to the Alcazaba which is the remains of the old Roman amphitheater. In the square below, an eastern musician and his drummer played Moorish music giving an atmosphere to the area and representing the melting pot, Moors, Romans and Spanish heritage of Spain.

The Alcazaba, Roman amphitheater

Pepe, Curious George, Moomin & Homer enjoy the view and the sunshine.

Roberto Herruzo and his accompanying drummer.

The Spanish musicians (including Robert Herruzo) in the square by the Alcazaba. Robert Herruzo is a very talented musician who plays interesting and unusual instruments, including a harp made from a bicycle frame.

A view of the Alcazaba and the Malaga castle beyond.

A bride and groom pose on the wall of the Alcazaba

A street performer in Malaga

We returned to the car and drove for about 40 minutes to Marbella where we parked again and walked along the sea front in the breezy but pleasant conditions. we paused for some frozen yogurt at a nearby shop. We stopped for some sunset shots and then returned to the car for the short drive home.

The sea-front at Marbella

At home, the dinner was quickly on the table using the rest of the chicken dish from earlier. Then, after watching the excerpts from the Saturday English soccer matches, we retired to bed.