Marbella Old Town: What to see and do
Marbella Old Town: What to see and do
Going to the old town of Marbella means leaving aside the luxury of the Costa del Sol and its exclusive beaches and entering a typical Andalusian village formed by cobbled streets full of bars, restaurants and small shops full of charm and flair to discover the most traditional Andalusia. At La Ciudadela Marbella we recommend starting your visit to the old town of Marbella in the Plaza de los Naranjos, where you can also find the tourist office of Marbella, and can get the map of places of interest and some tips to get the most out of your visit to the old town. The Plaza de los Naranjos and its surroundings The Plaza de los Naranjos and its surroundings is one of the most emblematic places in the old town of Marbella, a very striking square where the colourful orange trees in the centre contrast with the majestic white of many of the buildings that surround it. In the same square is the Town Hall, a 16th century building, the Antigua Casa del Corregidor, an example of late Mudejar Gothic built in 1555, and the Ermita de Santiago, which is the oldest church in Marbella built after the Reconquest. This hermitage stands out for being the only building that's not parallel to the square. Instead, it's facing the direction of Mecca, due it being built on top of an old mosque.
The churches in the old town of Marbella In the old town of Marbella there are a total of 3 churches that you should visit: the smaller Ermita de Santiago located in the Plaza de los Naranjos and two other much more spectacular churches which are: Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Church (17th century) and the Ermita del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz (16th century). The Santo Cristo Chapel is what gives the Santo Cristo Hotel its name, which is located just a few metres away from the building. The Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Church is currently the main parish church of the city of Marbella and its construction began in 1618. The church stands out for the height of its naves and central dome and its tower of four bodies at more than 50 metres high.
On the other hand, located in the upper quarter of the old town, we find the Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz Chapel, which is striking thanks to its white colour and bell tower that is topped with a glazed ceramic roof.
The Alcazaba and Moorish walls
Before the Reconquest, like the whole of Andalusia, Marbella and its old town were inhabited by the Moors and thanks to this, we can still admire many of the wonders they left us. To protect the old medina, in the 10th century a castle and strong walls were built with watchtowers and several access gates to the city. Today, only a few remnants of the Alcazaba have survived. In the immediate surroundings of the walls, there's only one hotel: the hotel El Castillo. Marbella's old town is full of interesting places to visit - don't miss out!
