Our Last Days in Marbella...

We move on to our next home tomorrow. We have spent that last few days just delighting in all Marbella had to offer.

There is no way to explain all the magical aspects of this special location but hopefully these images will help.

This is the view from our seventh floor apartment, pre-sunrise. We spent a great deal of time looking out this window watching life in the city happen. The kids loved this.

The sunrises was spectacular, too.

Around every corner there was something at which to marvel.

This bakery was a frequent stop.

Each street crossing was indicated by this delightful guy. What fun.

The public library was exceptional and a wonderful reprieve.

A common sight were the imposing Castle Walls (Murallas del Castillo) which were once part of an enclosed Moorish citadel built in the 10th century.

The Caliphate of Cordoba constructed a citadel, the Alcabaza, and wall to protect the town of Marbella which at the time had a citadel and mosque, surrounded by orchards of figs and mulberry trees for silk. Two defensive towers, known as El Castilo, were also built using some materials from the Roman period, such as Ionic Capitals (above) used on the Polvora Tower.

I own a collection of these little clay figurines from my first trip to Spain in 1970 and seeing them was very nostalgic.

A highlight was a visit to the uniquely wonderful, and completely free, Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving (El Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo).

Engravings and graphic pieces are the focus at this art museum which is located in the 16th century Hospital Bazán. Way cool.

Almost every street houses a shrine.

This one pays homage to the Virgin of El Carmen, one of the invocations for the Virgin Mary. She is considered by Spanish fishermen to be their loyal guardian and holds the title of Patron awarded by the Armada (Spanish Navy).

Our longest, most Spanish feeling meal was had here at El Boqueron.

Tapas, tapas, and more tapas!

The street mosaics, in Old Town, impressed. The elaborateness of each was enough to make one pause to admire the craftmanship. The time it took to construct these pedestrian masterpieces was mind-blowing.