A priviledged geographical location  has given Marbella the opportunity to become a renowned reference within the world of tourism,  without having lost any of its typical andalusian charm nor its historical essence.   The sea and the mountains, and both its traditional and modern aspects come together  in this Mediterranean city to offer visitors an atmosphere that is rich in multicultural and cosmopolitan ways,  options that are open to progress and a way of life based on sharing and on the welcoming spirit of its inhabitants.

The creation of the city of Marbella dates back to almost a millenium before Christ.  However, it is difficult to situate the origins exactly - some identify it with  greek Mainake, others with  roman Salduba,  and  some with the also roman Cilniana,  although this would appear to be situated nearer to San Pedro Alcantara.  Tolomeo and the roman historian Pomponio Mela mentioned Salduba,  a city near Malaca (Málaga) and Laccipo (to the north of what is today  Casares.)   Without a doubt there was an important urban nucleus in the area during roman times,  and most certainly it dated back even further.  The roman ruins found indicate that  a city of considerable size had existed in the area.

         The moors,  who invaded the peninsula in the VIIIth century,  recognized the strategic values of the city.  In the XIIth century,  the historian Al Idrisi described it as a "small but well populated town".  At that time the population was around  3000 inhabitants.   The moors fortified the city and the remains have proven long-lasting,  most of them at least,  until the present day.  During the arab rule,  the city was dedicated to agriculture,  the most well known produce being figs and fruits.  There was also a small silk industry.  According to Fernando Alcalá,  the Castle is considered work of the califas during the Xth century,  and was later extended during the nazarene period.

        A pioneer in the spanish metal industry in the XIXth century,  Marbella undertook an expansion and continual growth during the last decades of the XXth century,  developping an economy based on construction and the tourist trade for the numerous visitors and temporary residents with medium to high financial potential.

       After the Second World War,  Ricardo Soriano Scholtz von Hermansdorff, Marquis of Ivanrey,  settled in Marbella,  and made excellent publicity of the town amongst his rich and famous friends, such as prince Maximilian von Hohenlohe-Langeburg.  Ricardo Soriano purchased land between Marbella and San Pedro, where he built a hotel complex which he called "Venta y Albergues El Rodeo".  This marked  the beginning  of the tourist boom in Marbella.

The city of Marbella is well known internationally.  Its prime location offers the possibility to enjoy a microclimate with gentle temperatures throughout the year,  the annual average being 18.7 º with generous sunshine during the whole of the twelve months.  Without a doubt this is one of the advantages of a city that is always bright with light, and that offers innumerable possibilities within the world of tourism:  26 kilometres of beaches, a mountain range,  16 golf courses, luxury hotels,  a beautiful natural environment,  4 sport orientated ports - one of which is the world-famous Puerto Banus -  shopping malls and an intensive night-life.   It is not in vain that Marbella has become an icon for the elite of tourism:  since the very beginning of it development as a tourist centre in the mid-sixties,  actors, actresses,  stars and personalities from the world of fame have remarked on the elegant and refined character of the city, making it a base for the celebration of parties and social events.

In Marbella we are able to enjoy many famous nightspots, such as the one owned by Olivia Valère who, after 20 years of continued effort has been recompensed -  her nightclub is recognised internationally as the leisure spot par excellence  among  lovers of good cuisine and selective enjoyment.

Without a doubt,  one of the main attractions of Marbella is being able to offer -  within its 26 kilometres of coastline -

the largest  number of golf courses in Spain.  Among them we find the world-famous "Las Brisas",  where important championships have been held, such as the World Golf Trophy and the Canada Cup Trophy,  events that are reported worldwide,  and which have given the municipality great importance in the sporting arena.

In the same way,  Marbella has become famous in the Hotel industry,  due to the high concentration of five-star hotels and renowned restaurant establishments,   approximately 800 of them encompassing every type of world cuisine without exception.

The municipality of Marbella proudly boasts the most important variety of commercial premises in Spain:  international designers' boutiques and   shopping centres and malls with all of the well-known names have made this city a distinguished shoppers'  paradise.

However,  Marbella is much more than all of this.  Due  to its historical past,  but also to the  present coordination  among different cultures and all religions,  Marbella is above all  a city where  joint co-existence   is enjoyed at every level.

Among the festive events that can be shared and enjoyed in Marbella,  special attention must be given to the pilgrimage to the Cross of Juanar on May 3rd,  the celebrations of the patron saint San Bernabé on June 11th and the San Pedro de Alcantara highday celebration on October 19th;  these typical andalusian fiestas offer all of their colour and folklore.  Another of the interesting festivities is that of the Virgen of Carmen, held on July 16th,  which includes a maritime procession that year after year has preserved its popular tradition.

In addition,  Marbella also gives preference to its culture and history.  Among the interesting places to visit is the Old Town,  a magnificently protected area of white streets and flowered balconies, in the midst of which we come across the famous Orange Square, around which we find the 16th century Town Hall, very well preserved;  the Santiago hermitage which is the first christian church of the city,  built in the 15th century;  as well as the 16th century  Casa del Corregidor.  Close by we come across the 17th century Encarnación Church,  the Chapel of San Juan de Dios, 16th century, which at one point became the town's hospital;  the Hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, also built in the 16th century, and finally the Bazan Hospital which, since 1992 is home to the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings and Art,  the first of its kind to encompass a rich variety of artists such as Picasso, Miró, Tapies, Chillida and many others. 

As well as being a city of Culture, Marbella is a city of Peace.  Everyone has a place in our city.  For this reason Marbella is proud to have a magnificent synagogue and an original mosque,  witnesses and symbols to prove that it is possible to live  side by side in peace.   It is also one  of the most prosperous cities in southern Spain.

To further make this point,  the Jewish Community of Marbella instigated in 2008 what is known as "The Gala for Peace", with a view to becoming a reference point for gatherings and dialogue among all religions and cultures, notwithstanding their  provenance.  This initiative was met with great back-up from the local authorities,  which brought about  the institutionalization of this event.

This proves the constant support and permanent presence of the Governing team that our city Town Hall has enjoyed over the last two years.

     The new team is headed  by the Illustrious Mayoress of Marbella,  Mrs. Angeles Muñoz,  who has achieved  all types of new initiatives in our city,  such as the election of Marbella as European City of Sport for 2009,  the approval of the much-needed new General Urbanistic Ordenance Plan,  the promotion of officially protected homes for the younger generation as well as resurfacing and upgrading gardens,  roads and streets,  to name but a few.

     Remarkable also has been the progress in security,  at the hands of the First Substitute Mayoress and Citizens' Safety Councillor Mrs. Francisca Caracual, together with the Chiefs of Police.   Working shoulder to shoulder,  they have given the city of Marbella safety measures that are both discreet yet efficient,  and above all,  always on hand should they be required.

     Thanks to the work  carried out by the delegate Councillor for  Tourism,  Mr. José Luis Hernández,  he has promoted Tourism of the city of Marbella to the highest levels,   by presenting for 2009 a new strategy in tourist promotion,  seeking new objectives that will enhance the tourist offer of Marbella in a varied and notorious way.

     At the same time,  Marbella's cultural offer has grown and improved at the hands of the Councillor Delegate Mrs. Carmen Diaz,  such as the activities held in the Museum of Engravings,  or the programme that this department 

developped  in March 2009 to conmemorate  International Woman's Day.

     We also wish to mention Mr. José Eduardo Diaz Molina,  who directs and coordinates the differnet areas within the Mayoress' Offices in the Town Hall,  always keen and willing to cooperate;  as well as the whole Government Board  who have never failed to extend a helping hand  to this Community, instigating  dialogue and cooperation,   and for which we must be most grateful.

On the other hand,  Marbella's synagogue has become fashionable.   Over the last few years,  couples have come to this place on the Costa del Sol from all five continents to be married here.  The city's exotic nature,  united to its jewish heritage,  have contributed to make it a place of preference  in which to say "I Do".  The number of Hotels available for wedding celebrations, and the possibility to honeymoon in one of most international tourist destinations without actually leaving the city have achieved all of this.    The beauty of Marbella's synagogue is also taken into account.   It is, after all, the first one to be built in Andalucia since the Reconquest.  Dating  back to 1978, it has  become the point of reference for the whole Community.

It is also possible to visit the  remains of the fortress walls that surrounded the muslim town  and those of the Arab Castle, where one can still see traces of roman structures that were removed from other buildings and used for the construction of these walls.   At the Bonsai Museum, situated quite near,  a magnificent collection of plants is on show,  depicted as one of the best in Europe.  The Museum of Corijo Miraflores,  the Ralli Museum and the Municipal Archaelogical Collection all offer different cultural options to take in during a visit.

In the vicinity of San Pedro de Alcantara, one of the extensive nearby towns that make up the municipality of Marbella,  one can find ruins of a hispanic-roman villa dating back to I-II a.d.  called Villa Romana de Rio Verde,  where a magnificent mosaic pavement, in excellent condition, can be visited.   Also in San Pedro de Alcantara the remains of the Paleochristian Basilic Vega del Mar can be found,  one of the most important of its kind in Spain,  which  dates back to the 4th century  and yet was only discovered early in the 20th century.  Nearby in the  Guadalmina area,  ruins pertaining to underground cavities can be visited, thought to be the only remaining ruins of roman thermal baths that go back to  the IIIrd century,  the strange structure of which is under study.

Finally we come to Puerto Banus, situated 6 kms from the centre of Marbella.  It is considered to be one of the most famous ports of the spanish coastline,  due to the name of its promotor Don Jose Banus.  Inaugurated in 1968, with 915 spaces available,  it is host to some of the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world.  Its world famous marina, and magnificent offer in the way of bars, restaurants, and innumerable renowned international boutiques have made it a place full of glamour and enchantment for ever visitor.