Antequera History Costa del Sol Antequera Spain

Antequera History

Antequera was known as Antikaria during the Roman occupation. Or La Antigua, the ancient town. During the occupation by the Moors it was called Medina Antecaria.

This is apt as Antequera is known as The City of Monuments, because of the many historic buildings, almost on every street of the town. Antequera looks over an urban landscape, which is a characteristic of many of the larger towns of Andalucia, so typical of such a historic city.

Church towers and convent church bells can be seen peeking up from the whitewashed houses which are striking for their Moorish architecture, with distinct tiles and limestone facades.

Excavation under the city gates have yielded a number of archaeological discoveries, the ancient Roman ruins of Singilla Barba with its beautiful mosaics, and the Dolmenes de Menga, Viera and El Romeral. The Dolmens are large Megalithic tombs constructed of large slabs of stone, the oldest Megalithic tombs date back to the year 2500 BC.

Some people think that Antequera's history goes back 4.000 years BC., with the Dolmens of Menga, Viera, El Romeral and El Alcaide, the first three tribes on the outskirts of Antequera, the latter near Villanueva de Algaidas.

There are no trace of Iberian, Tartesian or Phoenicians settlements in the area, but their presence here was almost certain. The Carthaginians left many earthenware artifacts, and graves that where discovered in Cerro León, which might have been the city of Osqua, and where the a great battle between Asdrubal and the Roman Legions occured.

In the year 711 the Moors invaded Spain, and by 716, Medina Antaquira was under Moorish control, which influenced Antequera culture and architecture.

During the reconquest (Reconquista), Medina Antaquira was repeatedly attacked by the Christian kings. In 1410, on September 16, Ferdinand I of Aragon and his army conquered Medina Antaquira. Ferdinand I was then after known as , Ferdinand of Antequera, or Don Fernando de Antequera. The main street of Antequera still bears his name, Calle Infante Don Fernando. Don Fernando was later crowned King of Aragon in 1412.