Marbella Old Town

If you think the Costa del Sol resort town Marbella is just a tourist interest for its beachside lavish life and Mediterranean weather, you are absolutely wrong. There is much more to its credit, and the best part is its old world charm…Old Town, situated in the heart of the city, is a true witness to the historic changes and quite a world away from the flashy image.

With many fascinating historic monuments that narrates a glorious past of this medieval city, Marbella old Town - 'Casco Antiguo' - gives travellers a taste of authentic Spanish culture. It’s an enchanting maze of cobbled narrow streets set in an arabesque style, and structures that date back as far as 11^th century.

The central attraction of Old Town is the Orange Square or “La Plaza de los Naranjos”, dating back to 1485. Surrounded by white washed houses and historical buildings, it is now crowded with shops, cafes and restaurants for visitors to spend a quite time while exploring the archaic side.

Here you will get to see the ruins of Moorish walls, once built to guard the city from invades, along with many interesting sights- representing a mixture of Islamic and Roman architecture fashioned with the influence of various dynasties. Besides, sightseers will also get a chance to stroll in gardens full of brightly coloured flowers and orange trees.

However, the three most beautiful and must visit places inside the town are: the Town Hall, the Old Governor’s House and the Chapel (Hermitage) of Santiago. There are also a number of churches, built after the conquest of Marbella from Islamic rule; those are stunning examples of classic Spanish architecture.

Located on the square, the Town Hall was built in 1568 by the order of Catholic king and houses the original Council Chambers on the upper floor. Built in Mudejar style, the walls of the hall are decorated with murals. And on the right hand side of the front building, there is a series of commemorative plaques.

The Governor’s house which dates back to 1552 has a stone façade protected with shields and arched balconies on three sides. Similarly, the 16^th century built Chapel of Santiago is the first church of Marbella and holds much significance in Marbella’s history as Christian conquest.

This apart, there are many other living monuments inside the old historic town which include: the Church of Saint Mary, the Magistrate Court, Chapel of Saint John, etc. The picture of Old Town says it all, here you will discover the other side of this resort town, culturally rich and flamboyant.

This is not all; tourists can even enjoy the flavor of delicious Andalucían cuisines along with a plethora of shopping options at those street markets and special handicraft boutiques, best to collect your holiday souvenirs. Undoubtedly, the Old Town is the perfect place to conclude your Marbella vacation carrying many pleasant memories ahead.