Operation Mincemeat
A grave in the main Huelva cemetery holds the body of a man who changed the course of the Second World War. The strange thing is, his identity is still debated.
A grave in the main Huelva cemetery holds the body of a man who changed the course of the Second World War. The strange thing is, his identity is still debated.
The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red or crimson castle", perhaps due to the hue of the towers and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is silver but by sunlight is transformed into gold.
The Mezquita (Mosque) dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman III who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history. At this time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous cities of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour.
The hilltop Alcazaba's hefty walls and towers dominate the city and command magnificent views over the old town below and across to the Mediterranean. Measuring 25,000m2, this was the largest fortress built by the Moors. The Alcazaba was founded during the first half of the 10th century by Cordoban Caliph Abd al-Rahman III, who also built Medina Azahara.
Torre Alcon - in the sand dunes of Artola, a square tower near Cabopino marina.
Torre Ladrón - in the sand dunes of Artola, a square tower near Cabopino marina.
Torre del Rio Real - next to the A-7 coast road just east of Marbella town
The Rio Real watchtower is located near the south-western bank of the Rio Real, on raised ground. This land is now a bend in the A-7 coastal road. A few metres away, on its southern side, there were abandoned Civil Guard barracks. There is no documentation of a tower at the time of the Reconquest of Marbella in 1485, so it is assumed that this tower was built at the end of the 16th century as part of the Hapsburg defensive strategy, with later modifications.
This is a defensive watchtower from the XVI century. It takes its name from the Roman baths, which are about 50 metres to the west. It is one of a chain of towers along the coast built at that time to warn the locals of pirates and possible Moorish invasions from North Africa. It is slightly conical in shape, but less so than the others, and leads to a larger terrace, perhaps to accommodate larger artillery. Built of stone, not brick, it is 13m high and has a diameter of 8.3m at the base.
This is a defensive watchtower from the XVI century. It takes its name from the Roman baths, which are about 50 metres to the west. It is one of a chain of towers along the coast built at that time to warn the locals of pirates and possible Moorish invasions from North Africa. It is slightly conical in shape, but less so than the others, and leads to a larger terrace, perhaps to accommodate larger artillery. Built of stone, not brick, it is 13m high and has a diameter of 8.3m at the base.
Nestled on the headland west of Getares, in the southern district of Algeciras, Punto Carnero and its historic lighthouse offer visitors a breathtaking experience of the Strait of Gibraltar. This scenic spot is one of the most remarkable coastal viewpoints in the region, boasting unparalleled panoramas of the iconic Rock of Gibraltar and the distant mountains of North Africa. Whether you are drawn by the dramatic landscapes, the historical significance of the lighthouse, or the serenity of nature, Punto Carnero is a must-visit destination.
There are over 1,000 burials in the English Cemetery of Málaga. Here are some lists compiled from various sources, including observations on the gravestones.
Torre de Perdigones is a 45-metre-tall square brick tower near the Puente de la Barqueta with a dual purpose for visitors: as part of the Macarena district’s industrial heritage, and also sd a camara oscura (and viewing point) providing superb vistas of Seville.
Seville has its fair share of magnificent family-owned palaces – In summer 2023, another such monument opened to the public for the first time: Palacio Bucarelli.
Under the Nasrids, it was the site of the early 14th century Palace. Later, when the Catholic Monarchs were besieging Granada, Queen Isabella I of Castile vowed that, after the victory, she would build a shrine in the Alhambra to her beloved Saint Francis.
Archaeological excavations in recent years have verified the Roman Empire’s presence both inside and outside of the Alcazaba’s walls, and yet its current silhouette can be traced back to its founder, Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Rahman III (who also built Medina Azahara). According to an inscription found on marble which is now housed in the (Archeological) Museum of Almería, he ordered it to be built in the latter half of the 10th century.
The interior of the Alcazaba is divided into three walled recintos, or compounds, spreading up the long slope from the lowest part near the entrance; the first two are Islamic, and the third is Christian. A long fortified wall, the Muralla de Jayran (or Jairan), named after the 11th century king who built them, stretches from the Alcazaba, down the hill and up the other side to the Cerro de San Cristobal. From here the panoramic views take in the Alcazaba itself, as well as the city and port stretched out below.
This ninth-century cave hermitage, carved into the rock face, has remained hidden from visitors until recently. Today, it is still used for religious purposes by the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Cabeza. The town of Ronda continues to celebrate a pilgrimage on behalf of the Virgen de la Cabeza that incorporates a visit to the site.
The Roman City of Ocuri sits on the limestone hill of Salta de la Mora, in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, 1km from Ubrique. With the hill descending sharply on all sides of the site, it enjoys spectacular mountain views and feels completely isolated - a good choice for anyone wanting a more immersive glance into Roman antiquity.