LOCAL AREA

Mojacar

Mojácar´s unmistakeable silhoutte, clinging to the hillside gives the distant traveller a tantalising glimpse of the beauty within; Mojácar is the town which best expresses the very essence of Eastern Almería. The Moorish character of the town is evident in its narrow, steep and winding streets, in the whitewashed walls of its houses, and in the colourful flowers that embellish their façades. This is a town to lose yourself in, a place where, through countless small details, the past whispers to those who listen. In Moorish times, the town was called Muxacra and it was a place where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in harmony. Today it is still an open, cosmopolitan town accustomed to welcoming visitors from all over the world. In the unique setting of Mojácar, it is easy to feel instantly at home and enjoy the hospitality of its people. Both the Valle de las Pirámides and Mojácar la vieja, site of the prehistoric settlement, situated in the river Aguas valley, can be seen from the Mirador in Plaza Nueva.

La Cuesta del Castillo leads us to Plaza del Castillo, the highest part of the town affording marvellous views of the sea. Originally the site of the old castle, of which nothing remains, it is now home to the Centro de Arte or arts Centre, which holds interesting art exhibitions.

Plaza Parterre beneath, which a Muslim cemetery has been discovered, is presided by the fortified church of Santa María. The church was built after the Christian reconquest of the city. Next to the church is the statue of La Mojaquera, holding typically Arab veil between her teeth. Having passed through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its centuries-old ancient tree brought from America, we arrive at the Puerta de la Ciudad or Puerta de la Almedina, gate, the only gate in the 16th Century town walls.

Adjacent to the Puerta de la Ciudad is the former 18th-Century Casa del Torreon, a toll house for collecting "gate taxes". Outside is the Arrabal, or extramural quarter, which was probably home to Mojácar's Jewish community.

The Fuente Mora fountain, also known as Fuente Pública, dates back to Moorish times. In the past, the town´s woman-folk used the water from its 12 spouts to do their laundry.

Leaving the attractions of the town aside, let us now turn towards the sea. Mojácar, with 17 kilometres of beaches offers something for everyone, quiet or lively beaches, resort or unspoilt beaches, large uninterrupted strands or sheltered bays.Adjacent to Garrucha is Marina de la Torre whose excellent beach is complemented by unequalled hotel services, all a stone´s throw away from a golf course. Further to the west, next to the river Aguas´estuary and parallel to the Paseo del Mediterráneo, we find La Rumina beach offering everything from beach bars to watersports.

The beaches of El Descargador, El Cantal, Cueva del Lobo and Las Ventanicas are all part of Mojácar Playa. These beaches are all within resort areas and so offer the widest range of services.
For a relaxing time in the sun, we recommend the beaches between Castillo de Macenas castle, built on the coast in the 18th Century, and La Granatilla, bordering with Carboneras; this is the place to discover Mojácar´s most natural stretch of coastline.

Turre

Turre town is dedicated to the Inmaculada Concepción and the Ermita de San Francisco.

Turre cuisine is best known for its strongly-flavoured local stews, dishes such as migas with tropezones, gurullos, olla de trigo, pelotas, caracoles, fritailla and ajo colorao, and its varied selection of deserts.

The old town, the ruins of the banks of the Ibero-Roman city of Cadima, on the banks of the Río Aguas are the main places to visit.

Here, two hundred years BC, was a bustling city that left many valuable remains in the form of ceramics and coins, many of which are exhibited in the Museo de Almería today.

Garrucha

Garrucha is situated in the East of Almería, was created around a fishing port, where boats fished under the protection of the "Torre de la Garrucha" which was located by the sea, next to the "Alfolí" (Salt store), where today we can find the Town Hall.

The Town Hall was made with adobe walls; it was probably built as a refuge for the Muslim fishermen when they were attacked by the Christians who came from Lorca (Murcia). This tower was destroyed by the earthquake of 1518.

Garrucha was the centre of antique historical remains. A natural port which supplied several armies, exported esparto grass and marble, and always had a good fish catch. The active Garrucha was attacked by pirates, and reached its golden age under the shelter of such mining wealth, as well as being chosen as the summer residence by those families enriched thanks to the mining industry.

At 20th century, Garrucha was enjoying a feverish economic and social life: casinos, ballrooms, and tennis club gave to the village the glamour so different from the other coastal villages in the area.

Vera

Vera, surrounded by fertile farmland, has a long history and rich heritage. Its name comes form the Phonecian factory of Baria (Villaricos).

In Moorish times, the population moved inland form the coast to the area known as Vera la Vieja, on Cero del Espíritu Santo hill, finally being handed over to the Christians in 1488.

In 1518 the city was flattered by a disastrous earthquake and it was rebuilt on its present site. At the same time, the fortified church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, was built.Outside its lines are quite severe while its interior is in the Gothic-Mudejar style.

Other works undertaken at the same time were building of the church of San Agustín, the shrine to Virgen the las Huertas and the Plaza Mayor at the very heart of the city.

Los Gallardos

Located in the lower Almanzora valley about 73 kilometres from Almería by motorway its name is derived from the number of residents whose name was Gallardo.

The town grew to support mining operations in the Sierra Almagrera at the beginning of the 19th century with the discovery of large deposits of lead and iron.

There are the remains of mining activity between the municipalities of Bédar and Los Gallardos, as well as fragments of the overhead cable from Pinar to Garrucha.

There are also been a railway track linking Los Gallardos with Bédar and Garrucha, and one of the bridges still exists over the N340 near La Perulaca.