Jerry and I get around. In 2011, we moved from the USA to Spain. We now live near Málaga. Jerry y yo nos movemos. En 2011, nos mudamos de EEUU a España. Ahora vivimos cerca de Málaga.
The Castle Walk
Our city of Fuengirola was known in ancient times as Suel and then Suhayl dating back its origins in Phoenician, Roman, and Arab civilizations. The Sohail Castle (from Suel and then Suhayl) was built in 956 AD as a coastal defense. The castle ruins were renovated in 2000 and at that time Phoenician ruins were discovered dating back to before 300 BC. The castle is near the southwest end of the beach and we live near the southeast end. I walk there regularly — about 4 km/2.5 miles — but have never gone inside the castle or the grounds that sprawl below it. So, I was happy to join niece Sara, John, and Jack for a visit. The views are incredible and we could easily appreciate its strategic importance.
FROM THE FUENGIROLA RIVER.
ENTERING THE CASTLE. JACK COMING BACK TO SEE WHAT’S TAKING US SO LONG.
Truly Great Nephew Jack was again truly great all day. He posed in the remains of the guard house. I told him to salute and he was immediately cooperative. However, he gave a “two-fingered salute” (aka “the longbowman salute,” “the two,” “the tongs,” and “the forks”). It’s long been an insulting gesture in England (and other places) — their version of the American “finger.” At a glance it looks like the “peace sign,” but the palm is facing inwards. Do you suppose Truly Great Nephew Jack knew what he was doing?
JACK AND MUM SARA STANDING GUARD. (JACK AND HIS TWO-FINGER SALUTE).
A COMFY WINDOW-SEAT?
LOOKING EAST-ISH. MÁLAGA BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS.
STRATEGIC LOCATION.
NOW A POPULAR SPOT FOR CONCERTS AND SHOWS.
SARA ADMIRING THE VIEW AS JOHN AND JACK HEAD BACK DOWN FOR MORE EXPLORATION.
LOOKING BACK AT THE ENTRY. JACK’S GUARDHOUSE TO LEFT OF ARCHWAY.
BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO WALK.
THE PARK AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS.
HEADING BACK DOWN.
THE BRIDGE OVER THE FUENGIROLA RIVER. AT LOW-TIDE, YOU CAN CROSS ALONG THE BEACH IF YOU LIKE.
FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS PERFORM VERNON & IRENE CASTLE’S “CASTLE WALK.”
From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..
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24 thoughts on “The Castle Walk”
What a great find! It's always amazing to me that ancient structures have lasted for thousands of years. Europe is so steeped in history and cultural influences. Makes the US seem rather boring culturally.
Jo: I remember finding our house in San Diego and being excited because it was so old — 1924! But we did have houses from the 1600s in our town in Connecticut. Still…
I do like a nice castle visit. We have our own castle here in Kaiserswerth: Barbarossa's Castle. It is but a ruin now thanks to the War of the Spanish Succession but makes for a nice walk too.
Sharon: I still haven't gotten into Málaga to do some real in-depth exploring. But I'm so grateful for the family visit that got me into the castle here.
Stephen: Sara and John found a beautiful vacation apartment directly across the river from the castle. That first photo is almost identical to their view.
How wonderful! I wish my grandsons could go there and play that they were knights! And you led me to lots of happy "research" about Fred Astaire. Thanks!
Judeet: Not to go into detail here (feel free to email), she's my brother-in-law's daughter… But our niece just the same! One of those gifts I will be forever grateful for.
Elaine: Jack had a ball. But he's more at the age (3) of simply running around. I think his favorite thing that day was the "sand crocodile" he saw on the beach.
What a great find! It's always amazing to me that ancient structures have lasted for thousands of years. Europe is so steeped in history and cultural influences. Makes the US seem rather boring culturally.
Jo:
I remember finding our house in San Diego and being excited because it was so old — 1924! But we did have houses from the 1600s in our town in Connecticut. Still…
I want a castle in my town!
So, so pretty.
Bob:
So much of this in Spain. Fuengirola doesn't have a lot of visible ancient history. This is beautiful.
I do like a nice castle visit.
We have our own castle here in Kaiserswerth: Barbarossa's Castle. It is but a ruin now thanks to the War of the Spanish Succession but makes for a nice walk too.
Kirk:
Wow! I just looked online at Barbarossa's Castle. I would love to see that someday. (Sorry about that war!)
I sure have enjoyed Sara's visit… it's always fun to walk through those old castles and forts!
Sharon:
I still haven't gotten into Málaga to do some real in-depth exploring. But I'm so grateful for the family visit that got me into the castle here.
You've truly landed in paradise. I can only imagine how cool it would be to live in the shadow of a real castle.
Stephen:
Sara and John found a beautiful vacation apartment directly across the river from the castle. That first photo is almost identical to their view.
Bleeding hell, I have just remembered that fuengerola was the FIRST place I went on holiday abroad
I remember the castle!
John:
How funny. You must be that "sweet little guy from Wales" that all the locals still talk about.
How wonderful! I wish my grandsons could go there and play that they were knights! And you led me to lots of happy "research" about Fred Astaire. Thanks!
Kristi:
When I was a kid I wanted to be Fred Astaire (to dance like him and have his style… I wanted to LOOK more like Gene Kelly).
Wow! Lovely photos!
May I ask… is your niece your sister's daughter?
Judeet:
Not to go into detail here (feel free to email), she's my brother-in-law's daughter… But our niece just the same! One of those gifts I will be forever grateful for.
Your "Comfy Window Seat" would look great in a frame! How lucky you are to have such historical archaeological sites so close.
Ms. Sparrow:
Málaga has so much more. One day very soon I'll start taking regular jaunts to Málaga. You'll love it.
Fabulous castle! I bet it really stimulated Jack's imagination.
Elaine:
Jack had a ball. But he's more at the age (3) of simply running around. I think his favorite thing that day was the "sand crocodile" he saw on the beach.
Beautiful castle and beautiful photos, Mitch! I can see why people would never want to leave this place!!
Jim:
It's a beautiful spot.
Love your pictures!!!
Kisatrtle:
Thanks! A local told me my blog post made her truly appreciate the beauty she's taken for granted for years. Made me feel good.