The statue of Fray Leopoldo will accompany the team against Alcoyano
Alpandeire is the Costa del Sol municipality starring in Saturday's match against CD Alcoyano. The town's statue of Fray Leopoldo inspires José Luis Puche’s work, which will feature on the captain's armband and on the match poster.
This Saturday 18th November, Málaga CF will face CD Alcoyano, with the Blue and Whites set on returning to winning ways. The duel, corresponding to Primera Federación matchday 13, will take place at La Rosaleda at 18:00.
The municipality of Alpandeire will star in this match. The famous statue of Fray Leopoldo, which stands out from the white houses of the town and the church of San Antonio de Padua, has been portrayed with great skill by artist, José Luis Puche.
Alpandeire is a municipality located in the west of the province, in the Valle del Genal, being one of the towns that make up the Serranía de Ronda region. It is divided into two areas with different characteristics. The northern area is less populated with trees due to the indiscriminate logging that the region suffered centuries ago, the effect of which is still prevalent today. Whereas the south is totally different due to the flow of water that accompanies this area both in winter and summer.
In regard to gastronomy, pastries are the municipality's specialty, particularly the typical Easter treats known as borachuelos, suspiros and pestiños.
Its relationship with religion is associated with the most relevant character of the town, who was Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire, Francisco Tomás Márquez Sánchez. Born on 24th June 1864, he became famous as a chaplain throughout Andalucía, especially in Granada.
The illustrious character was baptized in the church of San Antonio de Padua, built in the middle of the 16th century and restored in the 18th century. Its large dimensions have made it known as 'the Cathedral'.
The sides of the façade have two octagonal bell towers with Moorish tile roofs. In the interior basements there is an old cemetery. Tradition has it that, after burial, and after many years, the corpses appeared embalmed and intact. Two mummies are preserved in good condition within the church.
José Luis Puche has impeccably represented the idiosyncrasy of the town through three very characteristic elements. The white facades of the town's houses, together with the imposing church of San Antonio de Padua, form a skyline on which the statue of Fray Leopoldo stands. The main historical landmark of the town is masterfully represented within his beloved Alpandeire under a beautiful sunset in warm tones. The work offers a feeling of peace that invites you to visit this Costa del Sol municipality.
See you at La Rosaleda, Alpandeire!