the port city of Málaga, a 45 minute drive from my home in southern Spain.īirthplace of Picasso, the attractive, cosmopolitan city of Málaga lies on a beautiful sweep of bay in Andalucia. Travelling south from Córdoba, lies the gateway to the Costa del Sol. The statue depicting the King leaning on the railings enjoying the magnificent view has become a focal point for many souvenir photographs, along with two iron cannons which provide a significant reminder of the Balcon de Europa's strategic past.
The King was captivated by the beauty of the area and legend has it that he was responsible for naming it " Balcón de Europa" however, local archive documents are said to show that its name predated this visit.Ī bronze statue of King Alfonso XII has been erected to commemorate his visit to the town. In 1885 King Alfonso XII visited the area to see the damaged caused by a disastrous earthquake on Christmas Day 1884. The Balcón de Europa, a busy meeting place, is usually buzzing with activity as visitors wander along the promontory to the mirador or viewpoint which affords panoramic views along the rocky coastline to the east, with their backdrop of the magnificent Sierra Almijara mountains. Pavement artists, buskers and groups of talented local artistes can be found here most evenings, making it popular with locals and tourists alike. The scenic promenade adorned with palm trees and exotic plants is paved with marble, and is the focus of many local cultural activities and a popular meeting place. This was completely destroyed in 1812 by the English navy during the Penisular War. History books show that in the 9th century this was the placement of a Moorish castle, with a fortress being erected on the same site in the early 16th century, to provide coastal defences. stretches out into the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. In the heart of the old town of Nerja on the Costa del Sol, the Balcony of Europe.