Saturday, April 11, 2015

Castillo Gibralfaro: High On A Hill

Within the city of Málaga, in the foothills of a mountain chain called Montes of Málaga, atop Mount Gibralfaro, stands the castle that bears its name. The castle was built nearly 1,100 years ago on a former Phoenician enclosure and lighthouse. The castle was enlarged in the 14th century.

The climb to the top is long and at times extremely steep... and worth every step (as long as you don't do it in the summer heat). The restoration is exceptional and the views are spectacular, especially from the restored ramparts surrounding the structure. My cousins and I (see recent posts) did the climb after visiting the Alcazaba lower down the hill. The day was overcast and cool. Not the best day for photos, but a great day for a hike.

All the castle needs is informational signage and directions to find one's way in and back out again. We should have left a trail of popcorn.

(Click any image to see how high we climbed.)

WORKING OUR WAY UP.
THE BULL RING.
AN AGAVE FLOWER STEM (ABOUT 30 FEET TALL, SO FAR).
FROM THE RAMPART... A FEW FEET ABOVE SEA[GULL] LEVEL.
BUT NOT ABOVE ALL SEAGULLS.
GULL IN PREVIOUS PHOTO IS FLYING ABOVE THE ROOF AT CENTER.


Lay ee old lay ee old lay hee hoo...

26 comments:

  1. Wow! Your are really up in the air.

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  2. The bull ring photo shows a lot of high rise buildings and the place does not look so attractive. Much better is last photo with a great variety of buildings.

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    1. Andrew:
      I actually like that view, and on the ground it looks much different.

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  3. Much different views than we normally see. And i didn't know you had a castle ....

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    1. Bob:
      We even have a castle right here in Fuengirola: http://mitchellismoving.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/the-castle-walk.html

      Delete
  4. Absolutely stunning! So glad for the opportunity to see it through your lens, since I'd never be able to make under my own steam!

    The lonely goatherd? You're kidding, right? (Sorry, didn't meant to get your goat. hehe)

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    1. Jacqueline:
      The "hop-on/hop-off" bus can take you up to the top, too, but you'll have to settle for outside the castle.

      As for the song, it was all about "high on a hill" and, of course, that's what first came to mind.

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  5. Spectacular views! I am still trying yo get my head around the age of this castle, Mitchell. We are so 'young' in comparison......so much to learn.
    Great photos.

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    1. Jim:
      Jerry and I had, as he described it, "a really, old, old, old, old house" in San Diego. It was built in 1924.

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  6. You know, I throw around these dates with my students, when we're looking at châteaux in the Loire Valley in France, but, somehow, seeing one in another country, that was built equally as long ago, seems ancient! *LOL*

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    1. Judy:
      The ages still amaze me. And to think I've seen things here from 1,000 years before this castle. And there's still more to see here a lot older than that.

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  7. The climb was worth it! for your readers, anyway. ;-) I rather like the shot with the bullring in the middle surrounded by more modern architecture. Cheers!

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    1. Wilma:
      The climb was so worth it. I love the bullring view. From below, it's actually much more picturesque than you'd expect, too. Beautiful parks and gardens and historic buildings amid the modern buildings.

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  8. There's an awful lot of lays with animals going on, and yet it's such a pure and innocent video.

    Keep enjoying life, Mitchell. You and yours do it well.

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    1. Robyn:
      I thought it was kind of strange that a goat (and not a goatherd) was singing. I guess I'm just too literal.

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  9. Mitchell,city looks fantastic.When i was there in 2013 it seemed me a great and unique place

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    1. Gosia:
      I'm only just getting to really know it. And the more I learn, the more I love it.

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  10. Replies
    1. Stephen:
      And I'm only just scratching the surface. Next time, I hope to finally go inside the Roman theatre.

      Delete
  11. So THAT's how you spell that. And an old lay hee hoo to you, too!

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    1. Walt the Fourth:
      I had to look it up. I always thought it was more like, "Yoda Lady Yoda Lady Yoda Lay Hee Hoo."

      Delete
  12. Knock, knock.
    Who's there?
    Old lady.
    Old lady who?

    Nice views.

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    1. Frank:
      I had to think twice about the knock-knock joke. Then I remembered what I had actually shared to prompt it, which means I'll probably have to explain it to Jerry -- the reason for the joke AND the joke itself.

      Delete
  13. How marvelous to have so much history around you, and a view to go with it.

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    1. Spo:
      It's taken me two years to see these two local treasures. I plan to catch up on Málaga's history this year.

      Delete

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