In anticipation of an upcoming visit to Malaga, Spain, we researched some interesting facts about Spain’s sixth largest city located on the Mediterranean coast.
15 Interesting Facts About Malaga, Spain
1. Located just 80 miles north of Africa, Malaga is the southernmost large city in Europe.
2. Malaga is one of the world’s oldest cities. When the city was founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC, it was known as Malaka.
3. From the 6th century BC, Malaga was ruled by Ancient Carthage.
4. Today one of the busiest seaports on the Mediterranean, the Port of Malaga has operated continuously since at least 600 BC.
5. The Roman Republic took control of the city in 218 BC. Malaca, as it was called in Latin, later became a part of the Roman Empire.
6. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was under Islamic rule, and known as Malaqah for 800 years.
7. Malaga was conquered by Christian forces in August, 1487 during the Reconquista.
8. Today the historic center of Malaga contains a variety of archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras covering more than 3,000 years.
9. Malaga’s Moorish Alcazaba fortress dates from the eighth century. The fortress overlooks the city’s restored Roman Amphitheater.
10. Malaga boasts a second Moorish castle – the Gibralfaro – from the 14th century. It offers spectacular views over the city´s old town and port.
11. Artist Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. Casa Natal, Picasso’s birthplace, is open to the public and gives a view of the artist’s early years in Malaga.
12. The Museo Picasso Malaga, opened in 2003 in the Buenavista Palace, features 285 works by Picasso donated by his family. Museum visitors can also see Malaga’s oldest architectural remains (walls of the Phoenician city) in the cellar.
Desperado
Puss in Boots
13. Actor Antonio Banderas — known for his roles in Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, and Spy Kids, as well as the voice of Puss in Boots in Shrek 2 and sequels — was born in Malaga on August 10th, 1960. The actor is also known for his Antonio Banderas fragrances for men and women.
14. Malaga enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine and 50 days of rain each year.
15. Thanks in part of the Malaga Mountains blocking cold weather from the north, Malaga has the warmest winters of all European cities with a population of half a million or more. The average temperature between December and February is 63–64 °F.
Learn more about Malaga with these resources:
Simpler Life In Malaga, House Hunters International
Check out these other posts on “Fun Facts” from cruise ports around the world:
- 32 Fun Facts About Barcelona, Spain
- 15 Fun Facts About Alicante, Spain
- 33 Fun Facts About Prince Edward Island, Canada
- 14 Fun Facts About Quebec City, Canada
- 53 Fun Facts About Key West, Florida
- 9 Fun Facts About Costa Maya, Mexico
- 16 Fun Facts About San Juan, Puerto Rico
Follow us on Twitter or interact with us on Facebook
Or, check out our boards on Pinterest and/or our photos on Instagram.