Casa de Los Navajas, Torremolinos

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In Bajondillo in Torremolinos is this beautiful small palace called "Casa de los Navajas" built in the first quarter of the 20th century. The architecture, Neo-Mudéjar style, is outstanding and makes one stop and admire it every time one passes by. It is not open to public though, but stands out for it beautiful architecture. It is located in a street called Calle Antonio Navajas Ruiz which is named after the architect who built the palace. He owned the whole area there and later donated it to the state.

I rented a flat in the block-of-flats by the palace in 2009 and lived there for 6 months, not bad seeing this palaca every day.

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Day 3, and awoke to blue skies and less cloud - Hoorah!
Standing on the balcony, the Moorish house as I called it, was bathed in sunlight

This is the Casa de los Navajas (House of Navajas (Knives), which was built for Antonio Navajas Ruiz (of the wealthy Luque Navajas family) in 1925. The architect was Francisco Fernández Fermina. The architectural fashion of the time was for the Arabic-Andalusian neomudéjar style, and some of the interior was apparently inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

In 1991, this 2 storied house was officially recognised as having historical importance, and it has been managed by the local council since July 2000.

It appeared to be empty, apart from the many feral cats that seemed to have taken over the grounds. Some of these cats had deformities, either accidental or congenital.

The entrance gate appeared to be permanently locked, and by the amount of greenery growing on the steps, these weren't used much. However it is illuminated at night.

It's a shame that this place isn't put to better use than a feline squat - with its stunning appearance and location (overlooking the sea) I'm surprised that it hasn't been turned into a luxury Spa or wedding venue etc. Though I suppose the concrete buildings encircling it might not be condusive to the ambiance!

The Casa del Los Navajas is known as the House of Knives. It was built in a Mudjar style in 1925 by Antonio Ruiz Navaja when Torremolinos was not much more than a fishing town surrounded by agricultural land. The Casa has two floors, the 2nd level primarily built as a single room for the view. In 2001 the house was transferred by the Navajas family to the town for the intent of one day turning it into a museum.