Antequera is a very beautiful town near the mountains and just an hour away by bus from Malaga. There is one mountain which locals call Indian mountain. I’ve heard some stories that old people want to go to there to meet their death. It really looks like lying Indian with the feathers in the head. It is called Peña de los Enamorados.
I didn’t interact with locals much, due to my vert poor Spanish. I took a single room in guesthouse for one night, and I was amazed by how much comfort could be obtained for virtually the same price as a miserable dormitory bed in Malaga. It had a TV, air conditioning, and clean towels.
Antequera is a municipality in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. It is located at the foot of the Sierra del Torcal mountain range and is known for its cultural heritage and its natural landscape.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was a major settlement during the Roman period. It was an important trading center in the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest cities in the region. It was an important staging post on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and was the site of several battles during the Reconquista.
In the 16th century, Antequera was the administrative capital of the region and the city flourished until the end of the 18th century when it declined due to political unrest and economic depression.
In the 19th century, the city became a centre for industry and an important stop on the railway network. In the 20th century, Antequera experienced rapid growth and development with the construction of new infrastructure and the expansion of its industrial base.
The Peña de los Enamorados is a rock formation located in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range in Antequera, Spain. The formation is believed to have been formed millions of years ago due to erosion and tectonic movements.
The formation has become a popular tourist attraction due to its unique shape and location. The rock formation is said to be shaped like two lovers embracing each other and is said to be a symbol of eternal love. It is a popular place for couples to take pictures, as well as for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The legend of the Peña de los Enamorados dates back to the 16th century. According to legend, two star-crossed lovers, a Moorish prince and a Christian princess, were forbidden to be together due to the religious tensions of the time. The lovers decided to end their lives together, while being on pursuit, by throwing themselves off the mountain. It is said that the gods, moved by their deep love, turned them into stone.
The Peña de los Enamorados is a popular attraction in Antequera and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antequera Dolmens. Visitors can also take a car to the top of the mountain and admire the rock formations from El Torcal and Villanueva de la Concepcion.
Almost 42 thousand people live in Antequera (in 2009). I saw that there is an amazing castle, which unfortunately I had no time to visit.
Civilization in Antequera was started over 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. Subsequently, the first settled communities of farmers were established in the area around 5000 BC. Furthermore, the region was made most famous by the building of the monumental Megalithic structures known as the Dolmens of Antequera.
Interestingly, the ancient roots of the region were further cemented when the name of Antequera was first mentioned during the Roman era. Originally, the town was referred to as Antikaria by the Romans, which translates to “ancient city.” Consequently, this classical designation was recorded in ancient texts, which marked the very first historical documentation of the city’s name as it evolved through the centuries.
While waiting for a bust to go back to Malaga, I started speaking to an English woman. We sat on the bus together and while I was gazing at Antequera and Peña de los Enamorados or legend of laying Indian mountain she told me about it, mentioning that her husband wished to be buried there like an Indian. Then she continued laughing that he should climb it before he died so no one would have to carry him.
Overall, it is a really beautiful town to visit and I really recommend spending couple nights here to see all the beautiful landmarks and I hope one day I will come back there (which I did in 2026).