Resort Marbella (Spain): travel, attractions and holiday hotels

Marbella (Spain) - the most popular resort of the Mediterranean, located in the province of Malaga. This ancient Iberian settlement managed to visit not only the Roman port, but also the Arab fortress. With the development of the tourist industry, a small fishing town has become one of the world's luxury resorts. According to the 2010 census, 136,322 people live in Marbella, but in June-August (the high season of the beach season) this figure is increased to 700,000.

Information on geography and climate

The municipality of Marbella (Spain) is the second largest city in the province of Malaga. Its area is 143.3 square kilometers. The length of the coastline is twenty-six kilometers.

From the influence of continental streams of air, Marbella is protected by the Sierra Blanca mountains (part of the Cordillera-Betica system). This causes a mild climate, best suited for a perfect holiday. The average annual temperature is eighteen degrees of heat, and the sunny days during the year are at least 320.

The resort of Marbella (Spain) has the following boundaries: in the north - the municipalities of Ochen and Istan, in the northwest - Benahavis, in the east - Mijas, in the west - Estepona. Through the city there are several rivers - Rio Guadalamina, Rio Real and Rio Verde. Thanks to the reservoir on the last, Marbella is provided with fresh water.

The ecosystem of the mountain slopes that surround the city is represented by coniferous Mediterranean forests, where you can also see ferns, eucalyptus, cherry and chestnut trees. As for the animal kingdom of the nearby forests, it is characterized by a species diversity - it is inhabited by mountain goats, foxes, deer, and rabbits. In addition, you can see badgers, martens and squirrels. The mountains are inhabited by a large number of birds - falcons, vultures, golden eagles, hawks.

History of education of the city

Marbella (Spain) - a place with a mild climate, a comfortable coastline, coniferous forests with lots of livestock, vast caves. Not surprisingly, these territories have long attracted people. The remains of the primitive man were found in caves located in the areas of Las Chapas Nagueles. Archaeologists have found evidence of the fact that Marbella was mastered as far back as the Paleolithic era. Among them, stone tools and rock paintings, made with the use of red paint and surprisingly preserved brightness until our days.

Before the Phoenicians came to these lands in the eighth century BC, the local Iberian tribes, who lived mainly along the rivers Rio Verde and Rio Real, were under the rule of the kingdom of Tortes.

The Phoenicians built metallurgical plants in the occupied territories and created iron mines. All this is confirmed by the characteristic transformations of the landscape. In addition, the Phoenicians made purple from sea shellfish.

As historians suggest, in the ninth century BC (the period of Carthage), Marbella was a trading post and was called Cerro Torron.

Officially it is proved that in the place of the Old Town (the historical quarter of Marbella) there was a Roman settlement of Salduba.

Since the time of the Vestgoth State (the period of existence - 418-718), the foundation of the early Christian basilica of Vega de Mar and the necropolis has survived.

Middle Ages

During the rule of Muslims, the whole of Andalusia was part of the Caliphate of the Kordobo. Thanks to the Arabs, the city walls of Marbella were seriously fortified and the fortress of Alcazaba was erected. The local population engaged in the cultivation of mulberry and figs, produced silk and developed agriculture.

When the power of the leaders of the Caliphate of the Caliphate began to weaken, small separate kingdoms appeared in the state of Al Andalus - the typhi. Marbella for a while was one of them, but soon passed under the influence of the typhoid Algeciras.

Christian period

January 29, 1485 Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon - Catholic kings - sent troops from Seville to the Granada Emirate - the last stronghold of Spanish Muslims. Before the storm, it was planned to take Malaga, which played the role of the main sea gate of Granada. Before this intermediate goal there were two perfectly fortified fortresses - Marbella and Ronda. During the siege of the latter, Ferdinand II sent a message to the defenders of Marbella demanding surrender. When the Arabs learned that Christians had occupied Arcos de la Frontera and successfully besieged Ronda, they advanced their own terms of surrender, asking for a month to reflect. The king gave them half the time.

Marbella surrendered without blood. It happened on June 11, 1485, the day when the memory of Saint Bernabe was honored. Since then, he is the patron saint of the city. For many hundreds of years, local residents have celebrated the holiday of the liberation of their lands on a special scale.

After the departure of the conquerors of Marbella (Spain) has become noticeably transformed. So, new buildings were actively erected, the main square of the city appeared - Orange, the sea fort of San Luis and the church of the Holy Christ were built.

Recent history

In the early nineteenth century, iron ore deposits were discovered in Marbella . Thus, the era of industrialization began. In addition, the agricultural sphere was developing at an active rate.

The end of the nineteenth century became a difficult period for the economy of the region. Due to the high cost price of charcoal, the price of local steel was higher than that of competitors who used coking coal in the production process . In addition, viticulture - the main area of agriculture - was affected by the grape plague.

On the general background of poverty, a group of oligarchs began to stand out sharply, the middle class did not exist as such.

New direction

In the context of the total economic crisis, local authorities decided to focus on rest in Marbella (Spain). The tourist infrastructure has started to develop actively. The first hotel ("Komersial") opened its doors for holidaymakers in 1919. Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic and the Civil War of 1936-1939. Have stirred up the whole country. Small Marbella, too, could not stay away from the most important historical events, so the process of building hotels was temporarily suspended. The city entered a new round of tourism development in the 1950s.

Marbella, Spain. sights

Of particular interest are the ruins of the fortress of Alcazaba, erected during the reign of the Arabs. The unique architectural monument is more than nine thousand years old.

Around the central square are interesting buildings of the Renaissance - the House of Correchidor, the Town Hall and the Chapel of St. Santiago.

The religious center of the city is the square in front of the Church of St. Mary of the Incarnation, erected on the site of an Arab mosque.

Eixample

This historic area is located between the Old Town and the waterfront. On its territory is a botanical garden of amazing beauty. On the seaside boulevard you can see a collection of ten sculptures by Salvador Dali.

What else is remarkable about Marbella (Spain)? The travelers' comments about visiting the old city lighthouse are always admired. This ancient structure is located opposite the seaport, to the west of Avenida del Mar. There are countless restaurants on the marble promenade. On the territory of the port today there is an entertainment complex. In addition, in Eixample there is a summer city theater, a park and a recreation area.

The Golden Mile

In this area, the most luxurious residences are built - the Fahd Palace, the Puente Romano and Marbella Club hotels. The specified territory is four kilometers of the avenue, which separates the central part of the city from the port of Banus.

New Andalusia

This area was built during the tourist boom of the 1960s on the site where once there was a metallurgical plant. Currently, there is an agricultural colony and the Botanical Garden "Angel".

San Pedro Alcantara

Earlier this area was agricultural. On its territory there were plantations of sugar cane, vegetable fields, citrus orchards. The oldest building is the building of a sugar factory. Not far from the San Pedro quay are some of the most important archaeological sites of the city - the early Christian Visigothic basilica and Roman baths.

Las Chapas

At present, archaeological excavations of the ancient Phoenician settlement located on the cape at the mouth of the river are being conducted on the territory of this region. Rio Real. Unique lamps and pottery made of ceramics, decorated with inscriptions on the Ancient Greek, have already been found.

Holidays

According to tourists who visited Marbella, the locals are very fond of having fun. For example, the main city holiday - St. Bernabé's Day - is celebrated throughout the whole week. Solemn events are held in the afternoon and late evening. All residents dress up in national costumes.

In the period from July to October celebrate the holidays of the Marbella regions. The most famous of them are Santa Marta, Leganitos, Salto del Agua, Trapiche-Miraflores and Divina Pastora.

Transport connection

Most of the city travel by bus. Three large motorways pass through the Costa del Sol. Is there an airport in Marbella (Spain)? No. The nearest "air gate" is at a distance of 38 kilometers (in Malaga).

There are four ports - Puerto Cabopino, Puerta Marbella, Puerto Banus and Puerto Bajadilla. The dimensions of the latter allow him to take large cruise liners.

Conclusion

Today Marbella on the map of Spain is no longer a small fishing village, but a famous resort of world significance. Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers come to this wonderful land yearly. Any tourist will enjoy the warm sea and the affectionate sun of hospitable Spain. Marbella, whose photo is presented in the article, is the leader in attendance in Andalusia.