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A Brief History of Málaga
A Brief History of Málaga
Málaga has been a seafaring town since the ancient times of the Phoenicians, when the port was used to dump fish onto its banks for salting. The city’s name is derived from its previous Phoenician name, Malac, or salt.
In the 19th century, the sweet Muscatel wine produced in the region came into favor throughout Europe. The Málagueños benefited tremendously from these exports; subsequently the area lapsed into an economic decline when a fungus ravaged its vineyards. Not long ago, Málaga had a dirty reputation, literally. It is a port city, which entails a certain degree of slummery, of no-goods looking to get away with free goods. But there is also an element to Málaga that is missing along the rest of the Costa del Sol. Here there is a life beyond tourism, there are cultural sites, a history that doesn’t just date to the Swedish invasion 40 years ago. The growth and expansion that came with its airport, one of Spain’s busiest, helped clear its record and clean its streets. The subtropical climate and dependably sunny days sparked a tourism boom in the 1960s along this coast – a boom that is still raging.
Now Andalucía’s second largest city, Málaga continues to serve as the main hub for European tourists. More often than not they fly in, rent a car and promptly set off for one or another resort town on the Costa del Sol, leaving Málaga in the dust. Pablo Picasso, who was born in Málaga, departed the city rather quickly as well. But, before making tracks for Torremolinos on the coast (it shouldn’t even be on your itinerary) or Ronda in the mountains to the north (a visit that is required!), at least climb to the top of the Alcazaba and take that picture. The beautiful view may make you want to stay longer.
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