Monument to Juan Temboury

The Monument to Juan Temboury in Malaga is a modest tribute to the man widely credited with saving one of the city's most important landmarks. The bust stands on a terrace at the entrance to the Alcazaba hill, in the very place he spent decades bringing back to life.

Who was Juan Temboury?

Juan Temboury Álvarez (1899–1965) was a Malaga-born lawyer, art historian and heritage advocate who devoted much of his life to protecting the city's historical legacy. He held positions in local heritage institutions and belonged to regional academies concerned with art and history. His most lasting contribution, though, was hands-on: for years he oversaw and personally directed the restoration of the Alcazaba, the Moorish fortress overlooking Malaga's old town, which before his involvement had fallen into serious disrepair.

Why is the monument placed exactly here?

The location is deliberate. The bust sits on a terrace right at the entrance to the Alcazaba complex — the same site where Temboury spent decades of restoration work. Under his direction, the fortress's walls, gates and gardens were systematically rebuilt, allowing today's visitors to explore one of Spain's best-preserved examples of Andalusian Islamic military architecture. A walkway running along the southern side of the hill, the Paseo de Don Juan Temboury, also carries his name, reinforcing how closely his memory is tied to this particular spot.

What does the monument look like?

The bust was created by Spanish sculptor Adrián Risueño, a personal friend of Temboury's. He is depicted holding an open book, a nod to the scholarly, historical research that ran alongside his practical restoration work. The monument is understated — no oversized pedestal or heavy ornamentation — and draws its significance from where it stands rather than from its scale.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Visitors reaching the bust are already on the path leading up to the Alcazaba, one of Malaga's defining landmarks. It's worth setting aside time to walk through its courtyards, gardens and viewpoints, which look out over the harbor and the old town below. Just above it, connected by a defensive wall, stands the Castillo de Gibralfaro — a natural next stop for anyone continuing up the hill.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Juan Temboury? He was a Malaga lawyer and heritage advocate best known for directing the 20th-century restoration of the city's Alcazaba fortress.

Where exactly does the monument stand? The bust is on a terrace at the entrance to the Alcazaba, close to a walkway named after him.

Who created the monument? It was sculpted by Adrián Risueño, a friend of Temboury's.

Is it worth combining with other sights? Yes — the monument sits on the route into the Alcazaba, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro is a short walk further up, making it easy to visit both in one outing.