A journey back in time more than 100 years – Baños del Carmen 📷 Malaga – Spain

A structure from another era that allows us to imagine the elegance, luxury, and prestige of times gone by and how it fits into its surroundings.

Some time ago, I was chatting with a friend about this place and she told me that in another era this space was a symbol of the upper classes, but with time and the lack of restructuring and maintenance projects, it looked very different. Likewise, when I saw this spa, I could imagine how sophisticated it was in other times, when the bourgeoisie used the facilities and everything was glamour.

The city's coastline consists of many beaches, and you have to look closely at the map to see where one ends and the next begins. Even so, it is sometimes too difficult, and you have to walk around the place and look at the signs. That's what I did: I took a long walk, like hiking along the large and extensive promenade, going down to the sand and back up again. I don't only like to explore mountains or natural parks; beaches are also a good place, but always take water with you. That day, the sun was very strong.

I usually divide the map into sectors and choose one of them to find out what's there. The sector I chose this time was called Baños del Carmen. To do this, I looked carefully at the map to see everything this place covered, although the entire route is next to the beach of the same name.

I took two buses to get there and got off at the furthest point to start from east to west and cover the whole area. Baños del Carmen begins in an area called Astilleros Nereo, where there are several boats, some in good condition and others under repair, which constitute a living museum of vessels. There are large spaces where they are stored, and there were many people working there.

There is also a beautiful, rustic restaurant there, a very sunny and beautiful place to eat something while looking out at the beach.

I continued on my way along one of the many little streets in this neighborhood by the sea. Almost all the neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city were once fishing neighborhoods and have the common characteristic of their buildings and the countless narrow streets that make up a large labyrinth.

One of those streets led me to a small park that also bears the same name, Baños del Carmen Park, located next to the sea. It is a place full of eucalyptus trees that reminded me of a park in my hometown. Many people bring their deck chairs there to sit and look at the sea, others walk their pets, but I actually see it as a beautiful green space next to what is and was the Baños del Carmen restaurant, because it is right next to it. Walking around there, I can see the largest avenue in the area on one side and the sea on the other.

I decided to head towards the coast and walk along it until I reached the structure I could see in the distance. The rocky landscape where the water gently lapped at the shore was very beautiful. Trees, water, sand, rocks, and a beautiful blue sky formed a very harmonious whole.

I continued exploring and arrived at the beach resort, where there were lots of people in the restaurant area. I tried to take pictures of the whole place and imagine what it was like years ago. A beautiful place by the beach with that green space I had walked through, beautiful terraces to have a drink and something to eat, and even tennis courts, although I didn't see anyone playing there at the time.

It was built in 1920, so it is over 100 years old, which caught my attention when I read some information about it. It was one of the symbols of the city at that time. A moment in history when large and important constructions, roads, and railways were built, and where the Baños del Carmen is located today, there was a small port called Puerto de la Cantera.

The romantic style chosen for the restaurant and the spa in general can be appreciated, a style chosen by the bourgeoisie at that time for many buildings such as parks, private gardens, and many urban projects.

Baños del Carmen was built on top of old public baths and broke with the custom that men and women had to bathe separately, making a radical change and integrating everything.

There was a pier, movies could be watched, there were dance floors, concerts and various shows were held. The restaurant you see was built at that time, and the city's first tennis tournament was held on the tennis courts. The first soccer field was also located here until 1941, when a flood caused damage and the soccer field was then established in La Rosaleda.

When I learned about all this, I thought about the splendor of that place in those years, as if I could close my eyes and see the ballet in front of the sea, truly majestic.

Today, there are many plans for restoration, but so far they have not been carried out. I hope they will be, because it is worth it. It is a beautiful place, with incredible views and a very beautiful history from the past, a history that deserves to be revived.

Just imagining how that place could look after being remodeled excites me, and it would be a great place for the city. Likewise, many people visit the spa and restaurant. I could see and appreciate that. The views are totally worth it, and in the distance, you can see the port, the city, and the immensity of the Mediterranean Sea, which I love so much.

Thank you very much for joining me today on this beautiful exploration and tour. I send my best regards to all of you. See you soon.
Amonet.