|
ESTEPONA
HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST EMERGING TOWNS IN THE COSTA DEL
SOL. ITS SPECIAL LOCATION BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SEA
ALLOWS US TO ENJOY VERY DIFFERENT THINGS IN A SMALL AREA.
The 137 km2 of its municipal area have
a varied landscape with gentle slopes on the land which
is ridged by a dozen streams and small rivers. Those who
love of green areas can enjoy paths and excursions and discover
beautiful places, such as the Pedregales Park or the unparalleled
Sierra Bermeja. With a population of 51.000 inhabitants
according to the census, the population of Estepona is really
in the region of/about 100.000 inhabitants now.
 The
oldest remains found in Estepona go back to the prehistory.
The Phoenician and Roman civilisations have also left marks
in the area. In the tenth century, during the Cordovan Caliphate,
the city of Estebbuna is founded, which is the origin of
the current Estepona. However, in 1456 the city is conquered
and destroyed by the Christian troops. It is at the beginning
of the sixteenth century when the Catholic Monarchs order
the reconstruction of its walls due to is excellent strrategic
location.
Successively, remains of great importance have continued
to appear, such as the Collection of Dolmens from the Copper
Age found in the spot of Corominas or a deposit of the Mesozoic
age, right in the middle of the historic city centre.
A city with
great monuments
Some of the most important monuments are: the ruins of the
Nicio Castle, the Clock Tower (old minaret of a mosque),
the seven Beacon Towers of its coast, the remains of the
San Luis Castle, the los Remedios Church (eighteenth century),
and the original Bullring, where there are five museums:
the Paleontologic, the bullfighting, the Archeological,
the Farm equipment and the Image and Sound Museums. 
 Sports
and adventure
With regard to sports, in addition to the traditional nautical
sports (with its magnificent marina at the head), Estepona
forms a favourable enviroment for the practice of golf,
paragliding, mountain sports, tennis, and even adventure
sports, such as the tirolene, the climbing and lianin at
the Selwo Natural Park.
In this theme park, all animal species live in semi-freedom.
Likewise, the School of Equestrian Art shows the purest
horse tradition from Andalucia and also offers horse routes,
horseriding classes, pony-club and all type of carriage
drawing. With regard to the landscape, most of the area/territory
of Estepona is dominated by the impresseve presence of Sierra
Bermeja. Its summit is reached through luxuriant forests
os Spanish firs, chestnuts, pines and other species. Its
natural beauty and the area filled with Spanish firs on
the highest zone, led it to be declares as a Natural Spot
by the Junta de Andalucia.
 The
Congress Palace of Estepona belongs to the Town Hall, therefore
it combines the activities organised by the Town Hall and
the activities of private companies or business or incentive
groups that need a meeting point.
With more than 3000 m2, its facilities adapt to different
celebrations, presentations, festivals, meetings, exhibitions,
congresses, conventions, business meals, shows, sports events,
fashion shows, events, concerts...
The low and sandy coast of Estepona spreads along more than
21 km and offers a series of fantastic beaches with coves,
rocky zones with cliffs, which form beautiful sea landscapes,
and especially wide zones of sand to relax and enjoy. The
beaches of La Rada, El Cristo, Bahía Dorada and the
natural beach of Costa Natura stand out, among many others,
which deserve the Blue Flag year after year.
 Excellent
infrastructures
The hotel infrastructure of Estepona, of a high category,
with Malaga airport and with the main surrounding cities
by a dual carriageway and by the motorway.
All this makes Estepona a five-star city.
Basic data
Size: 136 Km²
Population: Approx. 51.000
Residents known as: Esteponeros
Monuments: Church of Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios, the Torre
del Reloj (Clock Tower), Castle Walls, watch tower group.
Geographical situation: On the western Costa del Sol, at
sea level, 81 kilometres from Malaga.
Tourist information: Town Hall, Plaza Blas Infante, 1. 29680.
Phone: 952 80 11 00 Fax: 952 793 977
Tourist Office: Avda. San Lorenzo, 1. 29880. Tel: 952 802
002
Fiestas
The festival of Estepona’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador,
takes place on May 15th, in which the people head for the
countryside and hold processions in the town later on in
the day. The Feria and the Fiestas Mayores of the town take
place during the first week of June in the feria grounds,
and there is also feria by daytime in the town centre. Estepona
also had another patron saint, the Virgen del Carmen, and
the corresponding festival is on July 16th, which involves
a procession aboard fishing boats on the sea, carrying the
image of the Virgin on board.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of the area is typically Andalusian, with many
products used from the surrounding countryside but with
an emphasis on sea foods. Citric and tropical fruits are
extensively used locally, along with sardines on the spit
and a great variety of fresh sea foods and fish. The area
is known for its excellent restaurants.
|
