Málaka

Ted. Around 770 BC, Phoenicians from Tyre (in modern day Lebanon) founded a colony on the far western shores of the Mediterranean and named it Málaka. Now known as Málaga, Spain, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. 

This community has been part of many empires, Carthage, Rome, the Visigoths and Byzantium. From 711 until 1487, it was part of a series of Islamic caliphates which ended with the “Reconquest” when it fell to the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. 

If one looks carefully, it is still possible to find traces of the Phoenician origins. Portions of the Málaka city wall are still visible - most notably in the Picasso Museum.

The enlarged fort, called by it's Arabic name, the Alcazaba, is a prominent feature of the city today. A tunnel under the fort, has the name of the original city written in the Punic alphabet used by the Phoenicians.

Archaeologists are routinely excavating Phoenician gravesites in the area.

Phoenician sarcophagi

6th Cent BC Corinthian helmet from a tomb

And then there are the jábegas. 

These boats were once used by fishermen, who would row offshore, cast nets on the water and then row back to shore, towing the nets, now full of fish which would be emptied on the beach. It sounds like something the Apostles Peter and Andrew would do, doesn’t it? 

Nowadays, there are a number of rowing clubs who race their jábegas from time to time. You can see the teams practicing everyday along the coast. 

The jábegas are modeled after the boats used by the Phoenicians and even include the eyes on the front to ward off sea monsters. 

Artist's rendition of beach at Málaka

Speaking of fish, legend says that, once a year, an image of a Phoenician goddess named Noctiluca, was carried into the sea in the area of Málaka to insure an abundant harvest for the fishermen. On the 16th of July every year, Spanish fishermen still process the Virgen de Carmen on the water in a jábega for the same purpose. Hey - it never hurts to ask! 

A local artist has created a beautiful statue of Noctiluca that stands proudly along the beach at nearby Rincón de la Victoria.

We are very aware of the Roman and Islamic influence on this corner of Europe but it’s also fun to explore the most ancient remnants of civilization here.