For the most purist art historians and conservators, Colomares Castle is the perfect example of a ‘historical fake,’ a term referring to an ‘anachronistic’ imitation, meaning out of its time. However, for a common traveler seeking to delight their eyes, capture some good photos, and perhaps learn something new, this imposing construction can be an interesting visit. Therefore, we dedicate this post to it, which will be useful if you wish to discover this castle during your vacation on the Costa del Sol in Malaga.
A little ‘history’ of Colomares Castle
Colomares Castle is located on the outskirts of Benalmádena, and its conception arose around 1992, a year when one of the most recurrent themes in Spain was the commemoration of the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. It was then that Dr. Esteban Martín Martín, passionate about that historical moment, decided to build from scratch what we see today: a castle that transports us back in time to that momentous period, which marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Modern Age.
What to see at Colomares Castle
The main attraction of the estate where Colomares Castle is located is its exterior. This building stands imposingly from every angle and offers scenes reminiscent of other Spanish monuments from the time of the Catholic Monarchs, where the Mudejar style was predominant. These characteristics can be seen in its vertical walls made of brickwork and masonry, its variety of pointed, polylobed, and mixtilinear arches, or even its sebka patterns, directly inspired by Arab architecture.
The interior, however, is more austere, precisely as was common in Castilian palaces and castles of the 15th century. In any case, the armors lining the route and the polychrome stained-glass windows of its halls exude a medieval air that was still clearly visible in the constructions of that era. Places such as the oratory with the image of Our Lord Savior or the mausoleum dedicated to Christopher Columbus are also very evocative. The objective is, in the words of the monument’s managers, to organize his “fifth journey to Eternity,” as a continuation of the four transoceanic voyages he made in his lifetime.
Colomares Castle: Practical Information
- Address: Finca la Carraca, Carretera Costa del Sol, Benalmádena (Málaga)
- Autumn/Winter Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday
- Spring Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday
- Summer Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday
- Admission Price: €2.50 general admission and €2.00 for children and pensioners
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these hours and prices may be subject to change, so we recommend contacting us for more information. In fact, Andalucía Exclusiva can help you arrange a private visit to Colomares Castle and any other monument on the Costa del Sol, making us your best travel assistant.