Nerja Today

The Balcón de Europa - Balcony of Europe - is the focal point of Nerja and, especially in summer, is a hive of activity.

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The Balcón de Europa, situated on a rocky promontory, was formerly a fortress designed to keep out British pirates and privateers. Today it is the focal point of the town, affording magnificent views up and down the coast.

The Promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants and in the summer is home to a multitude of artists, vendors and street musicians. It was made famous by King Alfonso XII (1857 - 1885) and his statue can be found at the far end.

King Alfonso XII (1857-85) was king of Spain from1874 to 1885 and was the son of Isabella II. He went into exile with his parents at the time of the revolt of the Carlists in 1868 and was educated in Austria and England. In 1870 his mother abdicated her rights in his favour, and in 1874 he was proclaimed king. Supported by Martínez de Campos and Cánovas del Castillo, he consolidated the monarchy, winning greater popularity for it than it had enjoyed under his mother or grandfather, Fernando VII. He was a victim of the cholera epidemic of 1885. His widow, Maria Christina (1858-1929), was regent during the minority of his posthumous son, Alfonso XIII.

                                                                             

The Church of El Salvador is situated in the old part of the town, opposite the Balcón de Europa and close to what used to be the Guards Tower. It was erected in 1505, although the existing structure was not built until 1697. It was further extended during the period 1776 - 1792. The church is constructed as a three naved cross, the central area covered with a wooden framework of paired braces, the sides featuring vaulted edges at the ends and half barrel vaults with windows in the remainder. The exterior features a four sided bell tower, originally built in 1724 and later reformed. The interior is noted for its 18th century frescoes decorating the Evangeline nave, and the contemporary mural of the annunciation by the painter Francisco Hernandez.

 

 

In front of the church is a huge Norfolk Island Pine, brought back from South America at the beginning of the century.