MalagaWalk (v) WalkAbout in Centro Historico & Puerto FERIA Summer 2025 DAY 2 17 Agosto 2025

A New Boat in Town! Walk for Health @malagawalking - Malaga SPAIN

Malaga history
Málaga’s history spans over 2,800 years, making it one of Europe’s oldest cities. Founded around 770 BCE by the Phoenicians as "Malaka," a trading colony, it became a key hub for commerce due to its strategic port on the Mediterranean. The name likely derives from the Phoenician word for "salt," tied to its fish-salting industry.In the 6th century BCE, Málaga fell under Carthaginian control, then passed to the Romans in 218 BCE after the Second Punic War. Under Roman rule, it thrived as a port for exporting olive oil, wine, and garum (fish sauce), earning the status of a confederated city with privileges like Roman citizenship for some residents. The Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century CE, remains a testament to this era.By the 5th century CE, the Western Roman Empire’s decline led to Visigothic control, though little is known of this period. In 711 CE, the Moors conquered Málaga, renaming it "Mālaqa" and transforming it into a prosperous city within Al-Andalus. The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle, built between the 8th and 11th centuries, highlight Muslim architectural influence. Málaga became a center for silk production, trade, and agriculture, with a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews.Christian forces, led by the Catholic Monarchs, reconquered Málaga in 1487 after a brutal siege during the Reconquista. The city was integrated into the Kingdom of Castile, and its Muslim and Jewish populations faced expulsion or conversion. The 16th to 18th centuries saw economic struggles due to plagues, floods, and the loss of Muslim expertise, though the port remained vital.In the 19th century, Málaga industrialized, with iron, textiles, and wine production driving growth. It was a hub for liberal movements, but the phylloxera plague devastated its wine industry. The early 20th century brought political turmoil, including the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), when Málaga fell to Franco’s forces in 1937 after intense bombing.Post-war, Málaga faced poverty but rebounded in the late 20th century with tourism and urban development. The Costa del Sol’s rise as a tourist destination, fueled by its beaches and climate, transformed the city. Cultural landmarks like the Picasso Museum (opened 2003), honoring native son Pablo Picasso (born 1881), and modern infrastructure projects cemented Málaga’s status as a vibrant cultural and economic hub.Today, Málaga blends its rich history—Phoenician, Roman, Moorish, and Christian—with modernity, evident in its historic sites, museums, and thriving port.