There are places in the city steeped in history, but I’m not just referring to the city’s own history or the events that took place there in the past; they also hold personal significance for me.

All the streets in the city centre or historic quarter are beautiful; they all have a story to tell, but some are more special than others, and few boast as many significant buildings as Calle Císter.

It’s no more than 200 metres long, but along that stretch it brings together many of the city’s wonders and plenty of places to visit, not least because this street is crossed by other, even smaller streets that hold their own treasures, or because Calle Císter itself is lined with the city’s iconic buildings.

But before I tell you about my walk and everything there is to see here, I’ll explain why I consider it historic and important. When I first arrived here, the first place I rented was a small studio flat 12 km from the city. But when my family joined me, we needed somewhere bigger, and finding a flat to rent was quite an ordeal, particularly given the conditions required.

We couldn’t be too fussy or make too many demands, and we managed to find a flat thanks to a sort of estate agency located on this street. I went to one of those buildings to sign the contract and meet the flat’s owners. That moment was special and I’ll never forget it. I’ve always believed that it’s experiences that make a place special, especially when it comes to tourist spots or places we’ve visited and had experiences in.

But turning to the tour itself, I began it where Calle Santa María ends, a very narrow street accessed via Plaza Constitución. As soon as the tour begins, the imposing Málaga Cathedral comes into view; it’s known as ‘La Manquita’ because it’s missing one of its towers.

Its beauty is breathtaking; whenever I pass by, I can’t help but take one, or perhaps many, photographs. Its architecture is exquisite, as is that of the surrounding buildings, and there are also many shops of various kinds, ranging from chemists and delicatessens to gift and souvenir shops, restaurants and much more. At the moment, and for some time now, various parts of the cathedral have been undergoing maintenance, and I’m pleased to see investment being made in this magnificent building.

In this part of the enormous cathedral, we can see an inner garden enclosed by railings, which can only be accessed if you visit the cathedral grounds. Entry is free for city residents. But if we walk down a short corridor following the path along Calle Císter, we’ll find a beautiful outdoor garden where it’s very difficult to find a seat, they’re always taken – and it’s well worth sitting on one of the benches to enjoy some time amongst the greenery, the fountains, the flowers and the view of the cathedral.

But right at the rear entrance to this building, and before exploring the gardens I’ve been telling you about, we come to the junction with Calle San Agustín, where, in the distance, you can see the tower of the Picasso Museum, which I’ve mentioned so often in previous posts.

After passing through the cathedral gardens, you’ll find restaurants, shops and very old buildings, such as a place called El Jardín, which specialises in artisan ice cream and dates back to 1887.

If I look up, I always see buildings with their old-fashioned architecture, balconies that I love and glass-enclosed terraces, large windows with wooden shutters, and the vast majority of them are very well preserved. Usually, these kinds of buildings are let out to tourists.

As you reach the corner, there is a huge, traditional shop specialising in nougat and handmade chocolates. What’s surprising is that this shop is a city institution, dating back to 1775. It is one of the most popular spots with tourists, but not just with them, it attracts people from all over the city, particularly during the Christmas season, although tourists visit all year round.

Walking a little further along the route, on the right-hand side, down a small side entrance off the same street, an area with several shops and restaurants, you’ll find the Revello del Toro Museum, which was established and now hosts art exhibitions in what used to be Pedro de Mena’s home and workshop. There are also several Baroque-style buildings in the vicinity, such as the Zea-Salvatierra Palace.

A little further on, on the left-hand side, is the Abbey of Santa Ana, which is precisely the place associated with the street’s name; according to what I found online, the name dates back to the settlement of the Cistercian nuns in that abbey in 1617. Before that, the street was called Calle del Alcázar, as it led towards the Alcazaba.

Passing by various stalls and shops selling souvenirs and gifts at different prices, which are always packed with tourists, we see many more beautifully architectured and very well-maintained buildings.

Finally, the walk along this popular, historic and tourist-friendly street ends with the Palacio de la Aduana building, or the Customs Museum, on one side, and the entrance to the Alcazaba castle very close by. Both are situated in the Plaza de la Aduana, which marks the start of many more of the city’s historic and iconic streets within a historic centre brimming with culture, history, art and magic.

Thank you very much for joining me today; warm regards to you all. See you soon.
Amonet.