We had a quick visit to the Catedral de Málaga, which is a massive Renaissance-style church built on the site of a former mosque.

The inside was incredible—the columns were absolutely massive, the ceilings were ornate, and the stained glass windows didn’t seem large but were beautiful.

Interior view of the grand altar inside the Málaga Cathedral, featuring soaring Corinthian columns, gilded architectural details, a richly decorated vaulted ceiling, and a large statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by intricate carvings and stained glass windows. Visitors are seated quietly in the pews, admiring the awe-inspiring beauty.A statue of the Virgin Mary dressed in a richly embroidered robe and an ornate gold crown, flanked by large golden candle holders and flower arrangements. The black and gold backdrop features engraved religious scenes, contributing to a solemn and sacred atmosphere as visitors look on.A wooden crucifix of Christ on the cross positioned in front of a dramatic painting depicting a somber biblical scene. The surrounding arch is weathered, revealing patches of exposed stonework that contrast with the grandeur of the rest of the cathedral.A sculptural ensemble of religious figures in stone niches along a wall, framed by massive gray columns and elaborate ceiling vaults above. Warm lighting highlights the detailed carvings and gives the stonework a luminous quality.A golden altarpiece illuminated under soft light, with a central figure of the Virgin Mary in vivid red, set among detailed carvings and religious paintings. Above, colorful stained glass windows allow natural light to spill into the cathedral’s spacious nave.An opulent side altar made of marbled stone and gilded columns, featuring a crucified Christ figure beneath a scalloped golden niche. The surrounding architecture displays a mix of baroque textures, blending deep reds, golds, and intricate patterns.A richly decorated altar featuring pink marble columns, white statues of angels and saints, and golden rays radiating from a triangle symbol representing the Holy Trinity. The stained glass in the background filters light, enhancing the warmth of the scene.A dramatic upward view of the cathedral ceiling, showcasing elaborately carved golden vaults and ribbed domes, interspersed with stained glass windows. The intricate ceiling patterns glow under interior lighting, creating a breathtaking visual tapestry overhead.Close-up of the cathedral’s exterior facade, highlighting tall fluted columns, arched entrances, detailed stone carvings, and rose-colored marble accents. The classical architecture is imposing yet elegant against the stone plaza.View of the Málaga Cathedral bell tower rising against an overcast sky, with its clock face, balconies, and neoclassical design elements visible. Lush green trees frame the tower from below, adding contrast to the stone structure.

2025-05-28

Twice we went to El Pimpi and loved the ensalada de pimientos asados con ventresca (peppers with tuna), cogollos de luchita con añito frito (lettuce with fried garlic), langostinos al pimpi (garlic shrimp), and the potaje de garbanzos, pulpo, y langostinos (chickpea, octopus, and shrimp stew).

Flaky, light brown fillet of tuna laid over a bed of roasted red and green bell peppers, finely chopped chives sprinkled on top, all served on a ceramic plate with blue decorative patterns.Wedges of fresh romaine lettuce lightly dressed with olive oil and topped with golden, crispy slices of garlic, arranged on a hand-painted ceramic plate with blue floral accents.Plump shrimp sizzling in hot olive oil with visible pieces of garlic and dried red chili peppers, served in a small black cazuela that captures the bubbling oil and rich golden tones of the dish.Hearty stew of chickpeas, shrimp, and pieces of octopus in a rich tomato-based broth, served in a deep blue-rimmed bowl with a rustic, home-cooked appearance.Tender meatballs in a thick golden sauce, garnished with blanched whole almonds and finely chopped chives, presented on a plain white plate that highlights the warm tones of the dish.Small round dish of Ensalada Malagueña, made of mashed potatoes topped with bright green olives, a slice of orange, a sliver of roasted red pepper, and a drizzle of vibrant yellow sauce, garnished with chopped chives.

2025-05-28

On Friday we went to the Picasso museum—he was born in Málaga! It was great to see classics like Lola with a Doll, but I enjoyed the Man Looking at a Sleeping Woman and his Cubist portraits the most.

A new exhibit by Farah Atassi opened the same day. Her paintings echo some of Picasso’s styles.

A black-and-white photograph of Pablo Picasso’s studio at Rue Schoelcher, Paris, showing numerous Cubist artworks in various stages of completion. A large canvas prominently displays a fragmented figure playing a guitar, likely from Picasso’s Synthetic Cubism period, where bold lines and overlapping planes build abstracted forms. The space is filled with paintings, drawings, and sculptural props, highlighting the artist’s intense productivity and experimental process in early 20th-century modernism.A somber early portrait painted by Picasso showing a young girl seated in a studio interior, dressed in white and clutching a doll. Painted during his academic period, the work reflects his technical mastery in realism before transitioning to the Blue Period. The girl’s reflective gaze and the muted palette evoke emotional depth and psychological nuance, foreshadowing themes of solitude that recur in his later work.An unfinished neoclassical painting from Picasso’s return to figuration in the 1920s, depicting a seated man gazing at a reclining nude woman. Executed in graphite and oil, the male figure is partially modeled, while the woman remains a loose sketch. A bold red brushstroke in the background disrupts the classical harmony, exemplifying Picasso’s ongoing dialogue between tradition and avant-garde experimentation.A geometric, Cubist head of a woman painted in monochromatic blues and grays. This late work showcases Picasso’s mature Cubist language, where the face is fractured into sculptural forms that suggest depth and emotion through abstraction. The palette and angular construction lend the figure a statuesque solemnity, illustrating his ability to blend analytical Cubism with psychological expression.A dynamic portrait of a man wearing a hat, painted in 1971 during Picasso’s late period. The face is aggressively distorted with heavy brushwork and exaggerated features, exemplifying his expressive, almost grotesque self-reflection in old age. The vibrant blue and green background contrasts with the earthy flesh tones, underscoring the emotional intensity and raw vitality of Picasso’s final creative years.A Cubist still life incorporating collage and painting, featuring fragmented images of a restaurant table, food items, and signage. Words like “DÉJEUNER” and “DINER” are embedded within the scene, a hallmark of Picasso’s Synthetic Cubism. The piece blurs the boundary between everyday life and abstraction, showcasing his pioneering use of commercial typography and layered forms to challenge traditional still life conventions.A stylized female figure rendered in muted earth tones and angular Cubist forms. The figure’s torso and face are constructed through overlapping geometric planes, a technique emblematic of Picasso’s Analytic Cubism phase. The abstraction emphasizes structural relationships over realism, turning the human figure into a visual architecture of form and color.Wall-mounted exhibition text in Spanish and English introducing “Farah Atassi: Genius Loci,” describing her stylistic references to Picasso and her unique reinterpretation of Cubist traditions through theatrical compositions and vibrant pictorial language.Contemporary painting of a stylized female figure seated on a wooden chair in a patterned black-and-white room. The background is composed of grid-like walls and a scattered arrangement of lemons and plants, blending figuration with decorative abstraction.Playful, stylized painting of a reclining woman in a geometric swimsuit on a pale green chaise lounge. Set in a pastel-striped room, the scene includes scattered oranges and abstract picture frames, combining leisure with flat, decorative design.

2025-05-28