Discover Antequera: Culture, Megaliths and El Torcal

The megaliths of Antequera are widely recognised examples of European megalithism; the Menga Dolmen is approximately 6,000 years old.

Culture and History

The Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor was built between 1514 and 1550. It was the first building in Andalusia to be designed in the Renaissance style. Today, it hosts concerts and temporary exhibitions. The Real Colegiata offers audio-guided tours in several languages, including a version for children. It has been adapted for accessibility and features inclusive technology.

The Alcazaba of Antequera was built between the 11th and 13th centuries by Muslims as a fortified border installation to secure the boundary between the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada and the Christian territories. The Torre del Homenaje, also known as the Torre de Papabellotas, has a terrace with panoramic views. The Alcazaba complex offers views of Antequera, the Peña de los Enamorados, El Torcal de Antequera and the Vega.

The Mudéjar coffered ceiling of the Iglesia del Carmen was completed in 1614. The Iglesia del Carmen features complex decoration consisting of columns, cornices, niches and more than 50 paintings; it is considered one of the most interesting examples of 18th-century Andalusian Baroque altar architecture.

The Museo de la Ciudad de Antequera (MVCA) presents the history of the “Tierras de Antequera” through a selection of representative archaeological, historical and artistic remains. It displays material culture from prehistory and early history, with a particular focus on megalithism and the Chalcolithic period. The MVCA offers cultural activities and workshops for visitors.

Other Places

Other destination pages: Lagunillas, Los Nogales, La Joya, Villanueva De Cauche, Ronda, Bobadilla-Estación, Campillos and Genalguacil.

The main areas of focus can be clearly distinguished: architectural history and collections on the one hand, and the geological and landscape features of El Torcal on the other. When choosing a holiday apartment in Antequera, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can structure the personal selection; thematic interests remain a separate criterion. The details concerning travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions therefore form separate points of comparison. Depending on whether the trip is conceived as starting with the Alcazaba and the MVCA or with El Torcal, the personal selection may differ. The holiday apartment thus remains a separate planning consideration alongside the historical collections, buildings and karst landscape.

Nature and Landscape

El Torcal de Antequera has been a nature reserve since 18 July 1989 and is subject to special protection to safeguard its significant geomorphological, plant, animal and landscape values. Within the nature reserve, El Torcal de Antequera encompasses 11.7 km² of karst landscape made of limestone that formed on the seabed during the Jurassic period.

El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve is open continuously and can be accessed free of charge; it can be visited independently or as part of a guided tour. The tholos of El Romeral is aligned with El Torcal.

For the overarching travel overview: Málaga.