Castillo Colomares, Benalmadena Pueblo
The Castillo de Colomares is a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the New World.Some of the best views of this fairy-tale like castle, which rises from the pine forests that separates the pueblo from the coast, can be seen from the 17th century St Domingo de Guzman Church.
It was built by Dr Esteban Martin Martin between 1987 and 1994 and is an architectural fantasy thatmixes influences of different styles, such as Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudejar. The 1,500 square meter building, which also pays homage to the Catholic Monarchs,is the largest monument dedicated to Columbus.
Brick, concrete stone and wood was used for the construction of the hand built monument. Esteban had the help of just two local stone masons, who worked without machinery; instead employing techniques that would have been used in the Middle Ages.
The monument has several symbolic elements of the three cultures present in medieval Spain: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The interior of the building, which boasts several stained-glass windows,houses a small chapel dedicated to Saint Isabel of Hungary. There is also an empty mausoleum, supposedly installed in the hope that the remains of Columbus would someday rest there.
The Monument can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 13.30pm, and also from 16.00 to 19.00 (17.00 to 21.00 during the summer). The monument is closed Monday and Tuesday. Entrance - 2 Euros.
The castle is situated on the road down from Benalmadena Pueblo towards the coast.
Calle Carretera del Sol
Benalmádena-Pueblo
