Playing Tourist in Mijas Pueblo

Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Mijas Pueblo, Andalucia, Spain and Canary Islands
We've suddenly realized that our holiday in Spain is quickly coming to an end. Wow! Where does a month go? Today's a great day to "play tourist" in the village where we've been staying, Mijas Pueblo. Picking up a map from the Tourist Info Centre #1, we headed for #2 on the map - the Donkey Taxi. At the beginning of the 1960's, many workers, returning home on their donkeys, were often stopped by visitors to take photos and have a ride. The tips that the tourists gave were more than a day's wages, so the Donkey Taxi Service was started. Now, over 60 donkeys make up one of the main tourist attractions in the Pueblo.
The Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock (#3) was excavated out of a rock by a monk in the mid-1600's . Inside the chapel is the image of the Virgin of the Rock, the patron saint of Mijas Pueblo. According to the legend, two children, guided by a dove, discovered her in 1586.
We couldn't find #4, the Japanese Gardens with 6 traditional Japanese cherry trees, and we were totally surprised by #5 which was a re-creation of an old flour mill. Three weeks ago, there was just a small excavator digging out a cave under a stone overhang. Today, a recreation of the old flour mill stands there, complete with flower pots adorning the walls. It's the fastest restoration project we've ever seen, but when there are tourists involved, who knows what can be done?!
The Miniature Museum #6 was closed (We'd forgotten that it was siesta time!). Juan Millan was a famous hypnotist in the mid-1900's. Known as Professor Max, he decided to exhibit his collection from over 50 countries inside a picturesque caravan. In the middle of Constitution Square (#7), the beautiful fountain and benches were made by the marble cutter, Galiano. The marble had been left over from the land slide, which was brought on by the flood of November 1884 . I guess we've been right when we see all kinds of channels and flood ways cut and built into the mountains and surrounding towns. There must be some really big rains and floods later on in the year.
We have no desire to go into the Bullring #8, built in 1900 as a result of the many petitions of the villagers. It is still an active bullring, with bullfights starting after Easter. Just watch out when they start serving Ox-tail soup at the local restaurants.
The Parish Church (#9) was finished in 1631, and was used by villagers in case of an attack. It's built just behind #10, the remains of old fortress walls, also used for protection from invaders from the sea. It's got a beautiful panoramic view of the sea and cities dotting the coastline.
The caves #11 were fascinating. They were discovered when an old forge was dismantled. These types of caves were commonly used as stables and store rooms as the temperature remains the same inside the cave all year 'round.
Mijas is a very Catholic town, and we visited two more chapels (#12 and #13), both built in the late 17th century. They are active neighbourhood churches, built in Plazas, which are typical white Andalusian village squares.
The Folk Museum, Contemporary Art Centre and Town Hall (# 14, 15 and 16) were all closed, and we had visited the last point of interest, the Ermita del Calvario (the Calvary chapel) way up the mountainside during our first hike in the hills. Maybe we should take a hint, and take siesta time like the locals!!
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