Between castles and gardens (WEEK 179)

"It is possible to fall in love with a place at first sight as with a person."

-Alec Waugh

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I am passionate about medieval times, castles, nature, travelling back in time through history and in my imagination and vision.

And here, in the city where I live, I have found these wonderful things that fascinate me.

I find castles very interesting, with their architecture, stories and just imagining myself there in another time makes my skin crawl. On the other hand, they are very famous, tourists from all over the world come to visit them.

They are the Alcazaba Castle and the Gibralfaro Castle, which at one time were one and the same, but then they started to be visited separately.

The former I visited 4 times, and would visit again countless times, and the latter, which is at a considerable height, I only visited once 5 years ago when I first came to the city.

Every time someone I know visits me it is a pleasure to make the tour of the Alcazaba Castle, imposing in its walls and with a beauty in its gardens without equal.

The Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba, which is why it is considered a great fortress. There are two ways to reach it, by a very steep, frontal area, from where you can appreciate, as you go up, different viewpoints towards the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The other way is from the back, which has a cart to go up by car in the middle of a beautiful forest of enormous trees.

The Alcazaba of Malaga is a fortification from the Islamic period, adjacent to the historic centre of the city. It is a palace-fortress whose walls are impressive and which houses architecture, history, art and an impressive energy.

Its external gardens... I don't know how to describe them, they are marvellous. When I'm there I feel like I'm the queen of the place, it's magical and majestic.

The Alcazaba Castle is located next to the historic Roman Theatre, another emblematic place of the city and was an important Nasrid bastion in the capture of the city by Ferdinand the Catholic.

In 1930 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.

Both castles can be visited free of charge on Sundays from 2 p.m. until closing time.

Another place in the city that I find fascinating is the Historical Botanical Garden La Concepción, which covers an area of 29 hectares.

It is located on the outskirts of the city, and after a bus ride and getting off at the last stop, you have to walk at least 30 minutes to get there.

I have visited this place many times, I think more than 5 times, because the contact with nature is impressive.

The vegetation and the countless number of species make it look like a jungle, mixed with history and art. There is an old palace on the site, which can only be seen from the outside, where many historical figures were present, great bourgeoisie personalities.

The garden has many paths for hiking, walks amidst trees, flowers, and some animals that inhabit the place.

The panoramic views of the city and the mountains or natural park of Malaga are amazing.

I remember the first time I was there, I went with my mother and when I left she told me: This is paradise.

It really is, paths, plants, flowers, small waterfalls, animals, tropical climate and fabulous views. A magical place where it seems that beings from another world inhabit, you feel an impressive energy.

One day is not enough to visit it, I think it takes weeks, it is very large and every time I go there I am surprised by something new.

Recently a botanical museum was inaugurated in the place and it is the pending account that I have to visit it. I'm sure it will amaze me like everything else in this garden. It resembles a fairy tale.

This place can be visited free of charge on Sundays from 4 p.m. until closing time.

The ticket prices for the two sites are also inexpensive and worth it, time and time again.

What else can I say that I am absolutely in love with these two places that for me are extraordinary, interesting and colossal. I feel a great emotion when I visit these places and as I said, I would go a thousand times.