As Voltaire tells us, “The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” And this is what we propose for next year: discover some of the beautiful places that, for their proximity, may have gone unvisited. Now is the time to get to know them. Pack your rucksack and follow the Agro team from North to South, from East to West to:
LAGAR DE TORRIJOS ~ MALAGA
Twenty minutes from the city by car, in the heart of the thickly wooded Montes de Malaga hills you will find one of the oldest and best conserved wineries in the province. It dates from1843 and wandering round the installations it is easy to imagine how the sweet Malaga wine was produced in the middle of the 19th century. Now converted in an ecomuseum, it has retained the great wine press, the huge earthenware jars or “tinajas” and the casks used for storing the wine as well as farm implements. The press used to produce olive oil is also on view. The ecomuseum organises activities and special courses to coincide with the grape harvest.
EL ALCAZAR ~ ALCAUCIN
Discover the vestiges of an ancient Arab fortification in a breath-takingly beautiful natural setting on the banks of the Alcaucin river in the Axarquia. The recreation area makes it a perfect place for a perfect day out in the country. Welcome to the Alcazar! Sixty kilometres from Malaga, this area is part of the Alcaucin municipality. Nature lovers and hikers are familiar with this part of the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama natural park where paths lead to the Maroma, the highest peak of the region.
BOBASTRO ~ ARDALES
The ruins of this legendary fortress built in the 9th century comprise one of the most outstanding archeological sites in the province. Visit the remains of the Mozarab monastery, a sanctuary of engraved medieval crosses, the cave-dwelling of Ginés – considered to be one of the best examples of medieval “troglodytism” in the region – and the quarries. Complete your day out at a table in one of the local restaurants, enjoying the typical local dishes that include migas, kid stew or lamb casserole among other treats.
ACINIPO ~RONDA
If the Roman theatre in Malaga is mentioned, thoughts immediately turn to the one in the centre of the city. There is, however, another extremely well conserved Roman “stage” some 20 kilometres from Ronda at a place called Mesa de Ronda la Vieja. The archeological site of Acinipo comprises the ruins of an Ancient Roman town that boasted a Greek-style theatre. A visit to Acinipo is a journey into the past that helps us visualise Malaca (as Malaga was known in Latin) more clearly. Wander round the remains of villas, porticos and admire the classical Roman basilica.
