Right place, right time

Monument to Jose Maria Torrijos y Uriarte

Plaza de la Merced, Malaga, Spain

December 12, 2014

On this date in 1831, one of the great Spanish liberal officers - Jose Maria Torrijos y Uriarte – the “The Martyr of Malaga” was shot. He, along with only a small band of followers – 45-60 or so - attempted to spark a revolution and overthrow King Ferdinand VII. One British man, Robert Boyd, aged 26, participated in General Torrijos’ ill-fated expedition was also executed.

Oh dear. How optimistic this tiny little band was to think that they – with no more than a few dozen soldiers – could overthrow the Spanish monarchy? Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. 

 

This monument commemorates this heroic, if misguided, event. 

 

What was so very cool, however, was that this event was celebrated and remembered – since it was the anniversary day, December 12^th – at the very time we were there with a parade! 

 

Right place at the right time.

:)

Also see a few other images of Malaga, including some Roman ruins and a statue of Picasso in the square outside the home where he grew up.

Also note the reddish haze that hangs over the Mediterranean. Antonio said that was created by dust blowing in from the Sahara Desert. He said if this happens when it rains then cars are covered with reddish droplets, not welcomed by Spaniards.

See the "drunken tree" or - its correct name "silk floss tree" - It is a bottle-shaped, generally bulging in its middle and studded with thick thorns helping to repel animals in order to maintain its storage of water in dry times. Due to its shape, which can often lean to one side, gives it its nickname.