Few places can boast of having a historical and cultural heritage as rich as that of Antequera. Deep in the heat of Andalusia, this city is host to over fifty monuments and archaeological sites of extraordinary importance.

To walk around Antequera is to go back in time. A glorious history that has left its mark in stately homes, churches and convents of the most varied styles, a Muslim fortress and a prehistoric ensemble that has been declared a World Heritage Site. The municipality also has one of the most astounding natural parks in the province of Malaga and in the whole of Spain, El Torcal.

In addition to all of these riches, Antequera is also a transport hub that connects the region with the rest of Andalusia (here you can find the old route taken by Washington Irving, the American romantic author and traveller). Today it also has a high-speed train station in the greater municipal area. To sum up, it is has all of the facilities that the most demanding tourist could wish for. Antequera Golf Club, for instance, offers state-of-the-art facilities.

MUST-SEE SIGHTS IN ANTEQUERA

MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS

The Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor is the most emblematic religious building in Antequera. It was built in the 16th century and is considered Andalusia's foremost example of Renaissance architecture.

Dating back to the same period is the Colegiata de San Sebastián, with its unique blend of styles, the churches of San Juan, Santa María de Jesús and del Carmen, as well as the Real Monasterio de San Zoilo. The last of these houses a valuable art collection.

Among the religious buildings of the 16th and 17th centuries, the most outstanding are the churches of San Miguel, Santiago, San Pedro and los Capuchinos. All of these, however, have undergone subsequent restoration. Other examples of religious art in Antequera are the churches of Nuestra Señora de Loreto and San Juan de Dios, both fine instances of the Baroque. In a similar style are the convent chapels of Belén, Madre de Dios de Monteagudo and San José.

Antequera has many convents that were founded in the period from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The most outstanding is the Convento de Santo Domingo, with its handsome mudejar crafted features. Also well worth a visit are the convents of San Agustín, La Victoria, La Trinidad, La Encarnación, Santa Eufemia and Las Catalinas.

Two chapels, known as the ""Capillas Tribuna"" and the convent of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios complete the catalogue of religious buildings in the capital of Antequera county.

Walking around the city, we can also view several 16th and 17th century stately homes. This period also saw the construction of the San Juan de Dios Hospital and El Posito (the City Granary). These are two of the most outstanding public buildings in Antequera, as well as the Plaza de Toros (Bullring), opened in 1848, and the Town Hall, built on the site formerly occupied by a convent.

Among the buildings of the local nobility is the Palace of the Marquises of la Peña de los Enamorados and the Palace of the Marquise de las Escalonias. The City Museum is housed in the Palacio de Nájera. Its prize possession is the Ephebos of Antequera, an emblematic Roman sculpture.

A legacy of the Muslim period is the Alcazaba. Although originally erected in the 11th century as part of the city walls, the Papabellotas Tower and the Torre Blanca (White Tower) were built at a later date. A walk along the barbicans' passageway takes us close to the Arco de los Gigantes (Giants' Arch) built in 1585. Just behind this is the vantage point of Mirador de las Almenillas.

Antequera also has three monumental city gates (the Granada, Estepa, and Malaga Gates), a number of archaeological sites, ten museum spaces and five exhibition rooms. The City Museum, Museo Taurino - Bullfighting Museum - and Santa Eufemia Museum are some of the most interesting ones.

The Antequera Dolmens deserve a section all to themselves, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in recognition of their spectacular quality and magnificent state of conservation. An exceptional example of megalithic construction, the Menga Dolmen is six thousand years old. It is an enormous passage tomb whose passage is formed by huge slabs of rock that lead to the burial chamber. The Viera Dolmens and El Romeral complete the prehistoric ensemble.

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