Culture

Objects and human remains found in Sierra Blanca Mountain in Marbella point to the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. More evidence has shown Phoenician and Punic influence in the Rio Real, dating all the way to 7th Century BC. Then there are vestiges of Rome in the Rio Verde Roman Villa, the Guadalmina Thermal Baths and different discoveries in the Old Town of the City. Visigoths left their footprints in Vega del Mar Paleo-Christian Basilica.

Geographic texts by Muslim travelers mention Marbella as early as the Middle Ages. The Muslims built a castle and walled the city in with a moat accessible "From the Sea" (del Mar), "From Ronda" and "From Malaga". The Castle still sits there, without moat or doors. Then King Fernando the Catholic conquered Marbella on June 11, 1485 as evidenced by engravings in the Cathedral of Toledo.

Commerce was largely agriculture- and livestock-based till the 19th Century when mainland Spain took advantage of the Sierra Blanca Mines, turning Marbella into the second most important Industrial Province on the Peninsula. From 45 years ago till now, its 10,000 inhabitants grew to over 100.000.

By the 90's when Marbella evolved into a Universal City with infrastructures, cultural centers, sporting installations, municipal offices, golf courses, boulevards, parks, etc. investors jumped at business opportunities, also because of its excellent reputation for national and international security, cleanliness and cordiality of the people.

Flamenco must be mentioned here because Andalusia without flamenco is like Spain without the Spanish. This gypsy-originated marvel of performance is said to have evolved in Andalusia throughout the 19th century, another great factor to its cultural wealth. Expressed in song, dance and guitar, interpreted within a folkloric context, flamenco is now a worldwide wonder, universally loved and performed, though extremely difficult to execute. It has since given birth to music children such as the malagueñas, soleares, siguiriyas or fandangos... each also accompanied by its own dance style and guitar play. Flamenco is a mainstay in Spanish culture, performed in festivals, congresses, meetings, contests and all other social gatherings.