ANDALUCIA TOURISM NEWS – NOVEMBER 7 2002

GENAL VALLEY THEMATIC ROUTES
The Genal Valley in Málaga province, one of the most beautiful nature parks in Andalucía, is to host a pilot experiment set up by CENTIA, the Centre for Inland Tourism, to increase the creation of thematic routes through the district. This initiative, in which some 60 people will take part, will begin at the start of December and feature the participation of the Consorcio of the Genal Valley – signed by 13 municipalities. The project, named 'La vertebración turística del medio rural – Rutas temáticas' intends to offer incentives for the creation of thematic routes using as an example some of those already in existence, such as El Legado Andalusí and the Bético Romana route. The experiences of the Eco-museums in Córdoba and Baños de la Encina and the 'Senderos de Sierra Mágina' project, are some of the subjects which will be discussed during these debates which end with a round table discussion where all those present can participate. The Genal Valley has several projects, such as the Fray Leopoldo of Alpandeire Route. This inland district of Málaga province will now see new experiences for the development of its projects.

RENOVATION OF THE JUAN R JIMÉNEZ HOUSE
Time is unstoppable. The clock always continues to tick. Sometimes time has little respect for the temples of inspiration where in the past the geniuses created their works. This is case of the House Museum of Juan Ramón Jiménez in Moguer, a place where this Nobel prize winner recorded for posterity some of the most beautiful passages in Spanish literature. Attacked by the unstoppable action of damp and termites, this 18th century builder, restored by the Jiménez family at the end of the 19th, and home to the poet until 1912, is now just a year away from regaining the atmosphere in which Juan Ramón lived, thanks to the complete restoration which is going to be carried out. All this to the delight of all fans of Juan Ramón. The work has a budget of more than 861,000 € and will be financed by the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación Provincial, and the Moguer town hall. It will be carefully carried out to the last detail. The foundation stone of the work is already laid and in a few days the main work will begin, allow the recovery of the stuccoed ceiling which has been covered over till now, and the poetry of the place will be restored just as Juan Ramón may have dreamed of.

THE MONUMENTS OF PRIEGO DE CÓRDOBA
The locality of Priego de Córdoba now has more monuments and areas declared to be of historical interest by the Junta de Andalucía. The areas built in the modern age, which have given this town its characteristic Baroque image are now protected and recognised as of being of cultural interest, as well as other examples of the regional and modernist architecture from the 19th and 20th century. The new classification also incorporates other monuments of interest such as the Carrera de las Monjas, la Calle del Río and La Fuente del Rey, which are in addition to the medieval town centre which was recognised as of historic and artistic interest in 1972. Both the original centre of the town and the areas of Preigo de Córdoba built later offer a valuable example of religious architecture dating back to the 16th century, and which reached its peak in the 18th century when work was carried out on all the churches. With the approval of this decree by the Junta de Andalucía, Priego de Córdoba increases the area of its historic centre, which up to now only contained the early medieval centre of the district of La Villa and Balcón de Adarve.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN MÁLAGA
Málaga cathedral is to have new stained glass windows on its southern façade created over three years work by the pupils of the Molina Lario workshop school. They are four stained glass windows and two rose windows. The largest pane measures five metres tall by nearly two metres wide and is made up of 4,000 pieces of glass. The artistic display represents biblical scenes predominantly in reds, violets and blues. The panes will be on display in Málaga cathedral until the middle of November before they are lifted into place. The first will be installed before Christmas above the side chapel of the fallen. The project, designed by the architect Álvaro Mendiola and master builder Fernando Ramos, has been based on the original designs of the Professor of Drawing at the University of Seville, Miguel Fuentes del Olmo.

THE LANGUAGES OF GOD
Some of the main musical styles from India, Cuba, Afghanistan, Algeria and Russia will be present in the 3rd edition of the Languages of God musical festival which takes place in Málaga until December 18. The event this year alternates shows in the Cervantes Theatre and the old María Cristina Conservatory. On November 22 we have the chance of enjoying the only Spanish group to take part in the programme, Ars Combinatoria, which is made up of more than 40 people who interpret songs and religious hymns. On December 6 the Afghan group, headed by Madjid Pandjshiri and Mehri Maftoun will present the popular rhythms of their country. Nassima, considered in Algeria as Queen of Sanaa, an Arab Andalucian music from the district of Argel, will lead the show 'From Baghdad to Granada' in Arab Andalucian song, on December 15. Finally, on December 18 the 'Languages of God' programme comes to a close with the Patriarchy Choir from Moscow, who will demonstrate the song of the Orthodox Russian Easter.

VISITS TO THE LORING MUSUEM IN MÁLAGA
The Loring Museum, situated in the small temple in the La Concepción Botanical Garden in Málaga has welcomed 80,000 visits since it opened its doors a year ago. This small Doric temple was constructed in 1859 to hold the archaeological pieces belonging to the Marques of the Casa Loring, one of the most important collections of its type in the 19th century. The building was refurbished last year. This museum is one of the parts included in the guided visits to the La Concepción Botanical Garden which lasts about an hour and a quarter. The site is open everyday except Monday. The area taken up by La Concepción includes some 30,000 square metres of original tropical garden, together with more than 200,000 of agricultural and forest land. To the north of the area there are another 250,000 square metres which also belong to the Hacienda La Concepción and where a public park is under creation.

TURÍMETRO
Tourists who have been on the Costa del Sol have given an average mark for this tourist destination of nearly seven out of ten. The number comes from the so-called 'Turímetro' – a idea set up by the Costa del Sol Tourist Board and the Society for Planning and Development, which, using more than 2,000 interviews, measured the degree of satisfaction among these visitors. The basic offer to tourists, which is made up from parameters such as accommodation, cuisine, beaches and leisure activities, has an above average mark, with tourists from the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom those being most generous with a mark of over seven. Tourists in general consider that there has been a slight improvement in the offer to tourists on the Costa del Sol compared to other visits. The 'Turímetro' will take measurements with interviews carried out every three months to see the tourists level of satisfaction, with the objective being to offer businessmen and professionals in the industry more data on the different tourism variables on the Costa del Sol.

LAUJAR DE ANDARAX
The town council of Laujar de Andarax, in Almería province is to carry out a series of reforms to the town centre of the locality with the objective of making it blend in better with the landscape of the Alpujarra and therefore making it more attractive for rural tourism in the area. Among the actions to be carried out are the new signposting of all the streets of the town centre, which will have a handmade clay plaque, painted white to show the name. Laujar de Andarax is a small village considered to be the capital of the Almería part of the Alpujarra, with narrow streets full of whitewashed houses as part of a wider attractive landscape. These new measures being carried out by the town hall of the locality will only use elements which match the environment, so that the village can keep its deep rooted originality and its identity as part of the Alpujarra.