Cementerio inglés de Málaga, una visita singular
Malaga has a rich, varied history that is often missed by visitors. Of course, it is easy to to get caught up in the city’s tapas bars and bodegas, or laze away your visit on the Costa del Sol’s golden beaches – but scratch the surface of Malaga’s past and you will be pleasantly surprised at the changes that this seaside town has seen over the years.
Malaga has been home to the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Moors, and was re-captured by the Spanish Reyes Catolicos after a particularly long and bloody siege in 1487. Since then, other nationalities have been a constant presence in this area – not least the British.
The English Cemetery, just across the street from the Gran Hotel Miramar, is a wonderful place to visit for those who would like to learn more about the history of the area’s British inhabitants. This burial place was founded in 1830 by the British consul to Malaga, who despaired at the undignified burials forced upon non-Catholics at the time, who were not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground. The result was the English Cemetery, and the little Anglican church of St George, which still holds communion services every Sunday.
The cemetery itself is home to over 1000 graves with a few notable residents, including poet Jorge Guillen, writer Gerald Brenan and would-be revolutionary Robert Boyd, who was executed following a failed attempt to overthrow King Ferdinand VII. This is a peaceful place for a quiet walk – don’t forget to pick up a map from the gatehouse by the entrance.
More information:
Opening hours: 1000h to 1400h, from Tuesday to Sunday
Tickets: General admission 3 Euros, Concessions 2 Euros (over 65s, students under 26, groups of over 10 people, under 18s), Free entry (families, those attending church services, children under 12)
Website: www.cementerioinglesmalaga.org
Tel: +34 952 22 35 52
Address: Av. Pries, 1, 29016 Malaga, Spain
Categories: blog
