It’s an exciting time to be in Málaga.
To add to the heavenly scent of the orange blossom (also known as “azahar”), this weekend sees the beginning of Holy Week – with incense wafting into the heady mix.
Semana Santa features seven days of religious passion and spectacle – not only in Málaga city, of course, but in every town and small village throughout Andalucía.
Plus, one of Málaga’s famous sons returns each year to take part –YES, ladies, Antonio Banderas is in town!
Málaga already has a well established art scene with its Picasso museum, Contemporary Art Centre and Baroness Carmen Thyssen museum, but this week has seen the city’s credentials as an Art Hub extending further, with the opening of the Russian State Art Museum from St. Petersburg.
The Russian museum is housed in the beautifully restored Tobacco factory (Tabacalera) to the west of the city centre, near to the already popular Automobile Museum.
And today, Málaga extends it’s cultural connections still further, with the opening of the Málaga branch of the Pompidou Centre – the first outside of France.
Dubbed the Pop-Up Pompidou, the museum is housed underneath El Cubo, a huge glass cube in Muelle Uno – the city’s fabulous port area.
Which museum will YOU visit first?
East of Málaga 
Great to see all this attention to Malaga’s growing art culture. Didn’t know the Colecciòn del Museo Ruso was open already and will be very eager to get inside the new Pompidou Centre. Wonderful pictures, Marianne. Thanks for sharing them.
You’re most welcome, Mary. I haven’t had time to view the Russian museum yet, but I did visit the Pompidou Centre on it’s opening weekend. Post to follow shortly 🙂
Great to see all these comments on the growing art culture of Malaga. The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo has been an impressive place for contemporary art, and the Picasso is of course very impressive. The Thyssen might be the first of its kind– a museum dedicated to Andalucian art (not sure if I’m right about this). I’ve seen the Cube but haven’t had a chance to see it open yet and am thrilled to hear the Colección del Museo Ruso is open! Your photos are wonderful, Marianne. Thanks so much for sharing.
Yes, Málaga is really flexing its cultural muscles these days. I usually visit the CAC museum a couple of times a year – they have great coffee in their cafe, too 😉
Is there any other Spanish city growing in stature as a cultural hub quite as rapidly as Málaga? There are too many museums to count nowadays! Great post, Marianne. I’ve friends visiting the city at the moment this will be useful info for them 😉
I don’t know of one, Josh – Málaga is a FAB city, going from strength to strength 🙂 I’m sure your friends are having a great time during Semana Santa in Málaga – it’s BUZZING!
Four museums AND Antonio Banderas??? I am turning a vile shade of green Marianne! 🙂
Hahaha … I’m off out “Antonio spotting” shortly! 😉
I’d want to see all three, any opportunity for soaking up some culture works for me !
We are so lucky to have so many more museums in and around Malaga city, too. There’s always something new to see 🙂
It looks like a procession
LOTS of processions – lasting around eight hours each!
this long
I’ll be visiting both after Easter, on yet another Málaga Getaway. And of course I love the azahar…
Of course you do, Shaun 🙂 Yay for another Málaga Getaway!
Ooohh free? Maybe we’ll be off there tomorrow afternoon then! I didn’t know about the Russian museum. I’m not too crazy about museums, much prefer gardens, but I did want to see the Centre Pompidou sometime. I never even saw the original in Paris when I was there. Like I said, I’m not much into museums haha.
Well, that’s what I’ve heard – you can test the theory for me, Serena 🙂 EDITED TO ADD: I can confirm that entry is FREE after 4pm each Sunday – I joined the crowds who enjoyed free entry around 6pm today.
What a great cultural Centre you have there Marianne.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Yes, it gets better and better, David 🙂
Correct re: Free entry to both after 4.00pm on Sundays Marianne. The Russian Art Museum is nothing short of sensational (I went on the opening day and went back the day after as I was so in awe of the art work. just loved it! More info and opening times, entry fees on my blog post here. https://tapasinmalaga.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/the-russian-state-art-collection-st-petersburg-opens-in-malaga/
The Pompidou centre is less my “thing” in all honesty (purely personal in that I am less moved by more modern works of art – but still incredible – blog post coming up shortly.
Just for info too, there are 7 days of processions in the city (not 8) – no processions on the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday (would hate for someone to journey into the city from your area on the Saturday and be disappointed!).
Good news re free entry on Sundays after 4pm, Michael. Thanks for confirming just seven days of processions during the eight days of Semana Santa – with no activity on the day before Easter Sunday. I read your article about the Russian Museum – looks FAB!
Ahhh Malaga…….Ahhhhhh Antonio Banderas!
😉
In May I will spend 10 days in Zaragoza… do you have some special suggestion? Have a lovely w.e. and thanks a lot for these lovely photos and report! :-)claudine
Hi Claudine …. thanks for your lovely comment 🙂 Have a look at my blog post from when we visited Zaragoza a couple of years ago https://eastofmalaga.net/2013/09/06/venturing-further-afield-a-long-weekend-in-zaragoza-2/
good to know dear Marianne… thank you so much indeed!!! 🙂 claudine
what a great choice you have.
Yes Joan, we do! Malaga=City of Culture 🙂
Definitely off to the Pompidou and the Russian museum very soon!
I haven’t looked around either yet – but I understand that there is free entry each Sunday after 4pm 😉