THEY have fenced with Hollywood star Viggo Mortensen. It is just one of the many accolades that sits in the trophy case of Club Internacional de Esgrima Andaluzia, Manilva’s very own fencing club.

Established 10 years ago, the swashbuckling group must have one of the most fitting practice rooms in the country, in the belly of the historic 18th century Castillo de Duquesa. It was built at the height of Europe’s love affair with the sport, whose modern form has its origins in Spain.

Now, thanks to the club it is also home to Spain’s only Museum of Fencing. “We try to preserve and maintain the heritage of this beautiful and thrilling sport, which is a true part of our culture explained Alberto Cerrada Fernandez, the club’s title-winning founder. A doctor, he set it up when he moved to the area from Madrid to work in a health centre.

“My passion has always been fencing and when I moved here I wanted to continue practising it. “I had to travel very far because there were no local clubs so it occurred to me: Why not create one of my own?” The club’s first base was in Estepona, where its continued success helped convince Manilva authorities to allow it to host both practices and contests in the castle.

Through Cerrada’s expert leadership and dedication the team has racked up an impressive cache of medals and now counts world class members among its ranks. “We train four times a week at the castillo and in Estepona and every year we get to be champions or runners-up of Spain in lower categories,” said Cerrada. “At Andalusian level both individual and team we have more than 100 medals with champions at the level of children and adults.

Viggo Mortensen

“Jan Bade, who is Finnish, is one of our latest signings and came fifth in the world championships “Our youngest member is four years old and we have almost as many women as men, because in fencing you can compete in mixed bouts. “My latest achievement has been becoming the Spanish champion of historic fencing (different to modern in style and technique), a title I won last November.

“But our main aim is not to win medals: It has always been to create a group of friends who enjoy and love this art and to care for the development of each of our members in a personalized way. “We also want to spread the important values of fencing, such as education, temperance, respect and work in a warm and friendly environment.”

Esgrima Andaluzia has also proved its movie star credentials. “We’ve participated as masters of arms in films, television, theatre and musicals in Spain and beyond,” said Cerrada. “We have had the honor of working, with Manuel Bandera in the Zorro, with Viggo Mortensen in Alatriste and 2017 Goya winner Carlos Santos in Los Mosqueteros who was our Hamlet in the work that we present in the Castle of La Duquesa some years.”

Cerrada’s love affair with fencing led him to set up Spain’s only museum dedicated to the past-time. “Because I am a collector of objects related to fencing, Manilva Council offered me the possibility of establishing it. “We decided to put it in the castle and it has become one of Manilva’s main tourist attractions.”

Cerrada hopes the club and museum encourage more people to take up swords. “I love it because of the strategy, strength, speed, concentration and spirit. “Long may it live on.”

For more information on the club, call Cerrada on 639- 359972 or visit the website at www.esgrimandaluzia.com