Myths and Legends of the Costa del Sol: Pirate Lore, Sunken Cities, and the Dark History of the Spanish Costas (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798181034112)

Beyond the beach bars and golf courses lies a coastline forged in blood and piracy.

The Spanish Costas-from the glitz of Marbella to the hidden coves of Murcia-are world-renowned as Europe's ultimate sun-drenched holiday playground. But step away from the luxury resorts, and you will step onto a coastline steeped in dark, terrifying history. For centuries, this was the ultimate violent frontier. It was a land constantly terrorized by Barbary pirates, ruled by ruthless Moorish warlords, and haunted by the victims of the Spanish Inquisition.

In Myths and Legends of the Costa del Sol, you will journey past the tourist excursions and into the pitch-black caves, ruined mountaintop castles, and haunted cathedrals of southern Spain. Running geographically from the rugged mountains of Estepona, through the vibrant cities of Málaga and Almería, and culminating in the haunted ruins of Murcia, this captivating collection pulls back the veil on the epic mythology and terrifying folklore that the holiday brochures leave out.

Step off the promenade and discover:

• The Abandoned Sanatorium of Sierra Espuña: The decaying, terrifying tuberculosis hospital hidden in the Murcian mountains, notorious for agonizing phantom coughing and sightings of a Lady in White.

• The Walt Disney Conspiracy of Mojácar: The incredibly persistent, highly guarded local folklore that the American icon was actually born an illegitimate child in an Almerian hill town.

• The Ghost of the English Cemetery: The tragic, gothic history of Málaga's Protestant graveyard, guarded by a glowing Victorian phantom.

• The Pirate Invasions of the Mar Menor: The blood-soaked coastal history of watchtowers, poisoned wells, and phantom pirate ships that still haunt the Mediterranean bays.

Perfect for expats, holidaymakers, and fans of dark Mediterranean folklore, this book takes you on a ruin-by-ruin tour through a holiday paradise where the ancient gods, Moorish princes, and pirate ghosts never truly left.

Watch the sea from the watchtowers. The pirates are still out there.