Issue 0 - Spring 2017 malagaeast.com For the best holidays in the Axarquia! Restored mill in Riogordo Magnificent Villa Rustic Villa Beautiful Villa for long term let Nerja near Velez Maro Spring 2017 Welcome to the malagaeast.com e-zine! This month’s front cover Nerja and Maro’s glorious San Isidro celebration in May ¡Bienvenido! In this issue... From Malcolm and Julie Lewis, publishers of malagaeast.com Neanderthals here first! My wife and I lived and worked in this beautiful region of Spain for over ten years, founding and produc- Were the first people to inhabit the Nerja area a different human ing a magazine for local expats, so in making malagaeast.com and its ezine we want to share some of our species? insights into what’s on offer for the tourist in the eastern Malaga area. By the way, don’t get confused if we Page 4 sometimes refer to this side of Málaga as the Axarquia - because that’s what it’s called in Spain! “ So, if you are looking for an octane-fueled, party-till-you-drop vacation, then on the face of it, we really shouldn’t recommend the Axarquia as your main base... But if you are, and are probably planning to go to the Caves of Nerja Festival west of Málaga to the resorts that cater for this, then don’t forget that this area is only an hour or so away from This year’s festival starting in June. there! Page 5 But the sleepy villages and towns east of Málaga are far more than just relaxing, cultural pitstops on the ‘Viva España’ tour. There is entertainment for those, like us, that think at least one night should be spent wallowing away in some bar or night spot. You’re there to relax and unwind after all. There is a huge choice of bars and restaurants, some with live music as well, where this can be accomplished very satisfactorily. Take my word for it, (enough said Malcolm - Julie). After that, you’re going to need to sleep it off, and there are some fine sandy beaches that will help in that regard. But after a few bacchic adventures you can then discover why the Axarquia deserves its worldwide popular- ity. Somehow it has performed the precarious balancing act of retaining its essential Spanishness, while still offering much of the tourist fare typically on offer at more cosmopolitan holiday destinations along the Costa del Take a trip along Axarquia’s Phoenician coastline... Sol. There are plenty of good hotels, apartments and villas, a golf course, great outdoor trekking in the nearby The coastal road from Nerja to Málaga, the old N340, traces the route of the original ‘Heraclean Way’... national parkland, as well as snorkelling, to be done in the clear waters further along the coast. Page 8 Hopefully, you will also have time to explore the old villages in which people have been living for hundreds, if not thousands of years. And maybe try to plan your visit to coincide with some of the fantastic ferias (festivals) that take place throughout the year! Details of these, as well as much more information, can be found on the website. San Juan! Don’t miss one of the great It’s not surprising that this area is becoming increasingly popular both as a holiday destination and for those festivals on June 23rd! looking either for a second home or permanent residence. With so much to offer from beautiful beaches, stun- Page 9 ning countryside, ancient historical villages, bars and restaurant with local and international cuisine - this area has something for everyone, and there is so much to see and explore - all within easy reach of Málaga airport! malagaeast.com and its accompanying e-Zine, are ” dedicated to promoting the Axarquia as the ideal location for a holiday. We are not tied or affiliated to any property businesses, and exist solely through advertising. malagaeast.com accepts no responsibility for content or assertions made by third parties. Reproduction in whole or part of this ezine is forbidden except with the permission of the 2 | Go to www.malagaeast.com for the best holidays in the Axarquia publishers. some parts an be slippery. Prams are not allowed, so Opening Hours be prepared to carry younger children. It is not suit- able for wheelchairs. Open every day except January 1st and May 15th. July - August: 10.00 to 19.30 Nerja’s pre-history: On exiting the caves you can explore the grounds September - June: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.30 which include a cafe, souvenir shop, museum, picnic Caves of Nerja Festival in July: 10.00 to 18.00 area, children’s play area, and gardens. Neanderthals here first! Prices Getting there Adults - €8.50, children 6 to 12 - €4.50, children Despite being called the Caves of Nerja, they are under 6 - FREE, Pensioners - €4.00 WHILE MANY TOWNS around the world may claim to 20,000 to 12,000 years ago (definitely modern Euro- actually situated 4 kilometres away from Nerja, next be extrememly old, perhaps dating back hundreds or pean), include depictions of the animals they would to Maro. To drive there, follow the N340 towards Maro, Booking even thousands of years, few can claim to be origi- have hunted, such as horses, deer, goats, seals and and take the signs to the caves. nally inhabited by a different species of human! birds. There are also representations of human figures There is a large car park (with a small charge) in the Note these details are a guide only. believed to have been used in funeral rites, and others grounds. To confirm prices, opening hours, and for booking In Nerja, it was well which could represent female deities. Human remains and ticket sales ring the Caves of Nerja administra- known that there were have also been found in the caves and DNA testing of There are regular buses to the caves from Nerja. tion department on +34 952 52 95 20. Click here: http:// prehistorical settlements some of these remains have confirmed that they have www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en in the area from evidence African origins. found in a local caves net- work known as La Cueva The Caves of Nerja Festival... de Nerja. June 17th, when the famous singer, Arcángel, will pre- However, this fascinat- sent his latest album, ‘Tablao’. ing cave was recently de- scribed as the site of an This new auditorium will also host, on June 22, the ‘academic bombshell’, performance of the National Ballet of Cuba, by Alicia with the discovery of Alonso, who will represent ‘La magia de la danza’. In paintings of seals, (photo a unique program this anthology will include pieces on the right) allegedly cre- by Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Copelia, Don ated by Neanderthal man Quixote and Swan Lake. at least 42,000 years ago - potentially making them Then, on June 25, it will be the tenor José Bros, the only known art created by Neanderthals. who will be singing arias and duos from operas and zarzuelas, accompanied by the Malaga soprano, Berne So far not everyone is convinced at the veracity of Perles, and the pianist, Rubén Fernández Aguirre. the claim, and some feel further dating needs to be done. Indeed, in 2017, a new method of calcium dating Unfortunately, for good conservation reasons, the As a finalé there was announced that put the cave paintings at nearer upper galleries with the cave paintings are rarely avail- able to public view. However, experienced cavers can will be a perfor- to 20,000 years old, which would make Homo Sapiens very year there is a Festival of Music and Dance book a trip into these caverns on alternate Saturdays mance of the mar- the artists. held in one of the vast chambers of the Nerja from October to May. This must be booked in advance, vellous young vio- caves. linist, Paco Montalvo Archaeologists have discovered evidence of human (contact the Caves directly for more information). E in Nerja, at the cen- presence in the caves dating from 40,000 to 25,000 The festival, usually held in July, has become very tral Plaza de España, years ago, (whether Neanderthal or modern Euro- The rest of the enormous caves are however open famous, in fact the Queen of Spain once attended. No- next to the Balcón pean), when groups of hunter-gatherers would have to visitors, and there are some exhibitions and a small table performers have been Montserrat Cabelle, Kiri de Europa. Mon- roamed the area, and evidence at the site has provid- museum which gives some insight into how prehis- de Kanawa and José Carreras. talvo is considered ed a window into the lives and development of these toric people used and lived in the caves. the best violinist in people over the ages. But it is undisputed that the Spain and perhaps south coast of Spain was the last home for the Nean- 58th festival date - June 10th, 2017 Visiting the Caves one of the most out- derthals before extinction about 30,000 years ago. So The 58th edition of the ‘Festival de la Cueva de standing virtuosos perhaps Neanderthals were indeed the first Nerjeños! There are guided tours with radio-guide systems, Nerja’ will start on June 10th and will feature the fla- in the world. The as well as other new facilities intended to enhance the menco opera Carmen, by Salvador Távora, with danc- young musician will visitors’ experience. Nerja’s cave paintings ing, singing, and of course, guitar playing.