Rincón de la Victoria was a fishing town up
to twenty years ago, but at only 12 kilometres from Malaga, it has
now become an important centre of both residential and seasonal
tourism. One arrives on the Autovía del Mediterráneo,
heading towards Motril and turning off at La Cala del Moral, or
keeping to the autovía. The N-340 road passes through the
town, and even from here one can see that this was once a typical
fishing town on the coast. The municipality covers an area of 30
square kilometres, and offers something for everybody: lots of hotels,
restaurants and bars, ten kilometres of coastline for water sports
or simply lying in the sun, an excellent golf course and other sporting
facilities. The 18-hole Añoreta Golf Course, designed by
Jose María Cañizares, is on the border with Torre
de Benagalbón, and is considered one of the best in Spain.
The paseo marítimo (esplanada) that links La Cala del Moral
with Rincón is seven kilometres long, and from here there
are wonderful views over Malaga Bay. There are chiringuitos (beach
bars and restaurants) on the beach, where one can eat fresh fish
or have a drink. One of the old traditions that has not yet been
lost in Rincón de la Victoria is net fishing on the beaches
in the early morning. A net of about 40 or 50 metres long is thrown
into the water by a group of men, who make a wide circle with it,
gradually pulling it in to the beach again full of fish, if they
are lucky. This is a sight that is seldom seen in other parts of
Europe, and well worth getting out of bed early for.
Places to be visited
Cueva del Tesoro
This cave, known up to quite recently as the Cueva del Higuerón
or the Cueva del Suizo, is situated on the Cantal hill, half way
between La Cala and Rincón. Inside were found Palaeolithic
remains from the first Bronze Age. Besides its archaeological value,
there is also the mythical belief that this was the sanctuary of
the Mediterranean Goddess Noctiluca 2,500 years ago. Of the numerous
caves inside the complex, the most interesting is the Cueva del
Tesoro, with 500 metres of gallery. Very close to this there is
a series of smaller caves, the most interesting of which is the
Cueva de la Victoria. This is in the area known as the Cantal Gordo,
and is currently closed to the public. It had been suffering a great
deal of contamination since first discovered in 1939, and the writer
Giménez Reyna tells how, in 1943, the farm workers of the
region used to search for bats inside the cave, to be used as fertiliser.
The cave has some beautiful paintings on its walls, some fairly
abstract in ochre colours and some bird shapes. Recently, more Palaeolithic
paintings in reds and black have been found in the area. The cave
was named by the Swiss treasure hunter Antonio de la Nari, who arrived
here at the beginning of the 19th century in search of the treasures
buried by the Five Moorish Kings. He met with a poetically just
end, however, when he was blown up by the powder he used in excavating
the Cueva del Higuerón in 1847. Tel: 952 406 162. From 10
to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m.
Casa Fuerte Bezmiliana
This defensive fortress dating from the 18th century has been restored
and is currently used for exhibitions and cultural activities. It
is a simple construction with a square ground plan, exterior walls
made of rubble and two defensive towers. The coat-of-arms on the
front is that of Carlos III, and the inside was built to hold troops
and horses, with wells and storage space for arms and food.
Cala del Moral
This are was known as the Cala del Moral in the 16th century, being
a key defensive and vigilance point on the coast at that time. It
is separated from Rincón by the Cantal hill, and it was not
until the 20th century that it began to be populated by fishermen.
Where to eat
Restaurante Merendero El Boticario. Specialising in fish and seafood.
Pº Marítimo Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Tel: 952
404 652.
Restaurante Bernardo. Specialising in seafood. Paseo Marítimo
Blas Infante, s/n. Tel: 952 404 734.
Restaurante Campanillas. Family atmosphere. Specialising in fish
and seafood. Avda. del Mediterráneo, s/n. Tel.952 403 613.
Taberna de Manolo. Specialising in tapas. C/ Granada s/n. Tel: 908
84 19 61.
Restaurante Maribel. Specialising in fried fish. Avda. Blas Infante,
5. Tel: 952 404 842. Cala del Moral.
Taberna Casa Eduardo. Specialising in flamenquines, scrambled egg,
salmorejo and tapas. Avda. del Mediterráneo. Tel: 952 971
614.
Where to sleep
Hotel Elimar (***). Avenida del Mediterráneo, 168 and 230.
Tel: 952 401 227 and 952 402 161. 29730. Rincón de la Victoria.
Hotel Rincónsol (***). Avenida del Mediterráneo, 174.
Tel: 952 401 100. 29730. R. de la Victoria.
Hotel Nuestra Señora de la Victoria. Tel: 952 406 200. 29730.
R. de la Victoria.
Hotel Maria Cristina (**). Avenida de Málaga, 18. Cala del
Moral. Tel: 952 408 317.
Tourist information:
Town Hall, Plaza Al-Andalus, 1. 29730.
Phone: 952 402 300 Fax: 952 402 900
Rincon on the Web:
www.rincondelavictoria.com
www.inforincon.com/
www.visitcostadelsol.com
www.andalucia.com
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