Almería ´s guide

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City Council Tourism Office1, Constitucion Square. 04001 AlmeríaTel.: +34 950 210 538 - +34 950 280 748

www.turismodealmeria.org

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Located in the southeast of Spain and looking out to the Mediterranean Sea.

Clear skies, innumerable beaches and an exceptional gastronomy. Important

natural reserves and an incredible archaeological patrimony. An open City

and a meeting point between Western and Eastern cultures.

A City full of sunlight.

Welcome to Almeria

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AA almería in your pocket

> indexpg. 7 Prepare the visit

Information 7How to get around 8When to visit 8Guided tours 9Emergency Info 9Shopping hours 11Credit cards 11Health services 11How to get to Almeria 12How to get around 12Where to stay 13

pg. 17 Enjoy the city

Art and culture 21Nature 58El Toyo 61Beaches 62Beauty and health 63Gastronomy 64Where to eat 66Fiestas, traditions & events 71Main Events 72Sports 72

pg. 75 Discover the surroundings

pg. 79 Maps

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> Close up of Almeria’s Flag

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AA Prepare the visitABInformation

Area 296,21 Km2

Currency EuroPopulation 186.651 inhabitants (INE 2007)Oficial language SpanishClimate Average yearly temperature 18.7 º CFrom major cities Madrid 544 Km Sevilla 415 Km Granada 166 Km

SPAIN

ANDALUSIA

EUROPE

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>Telephone code

Phoning to Spain:00 34 + local phone numberAll calls to Almeria begin with the code 950.

>Tourism offices

City Council Tourism Office1, Constitución Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: +34 950 210 538 – +34 950 280 748Open: Monday – Friday: from 9 am - 2 pm and 4 pm -7pm - Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: from 9 am -2 pm

The City Tourism Board also has several informa-tion points situated in different areas in Almeria: the Intermodal Station (bus and train), the Beach Promenade and in the Toyo neighbourhood.

The Junta de Andalucia Tourism Office (Andalusian Government)Nicolas Salmerón Park, corner with Martinez Campos Street, 04002 Almeria Tel.: 950 175 220Open: Monday-Friday: 9 am - 7:30 pmSaturday, Sunday and holidays: 9:30 am to 3 pm (in Summer: 10 am - 2 pm)

Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Almería (Provincial Tourism Board of Almeria)Bendicho Square, 04011 Almeria.Tel.: +34 950 881 178 Open: Monday-Friday: 9 am - 2 pm

Almeria AirportNijar Road, Kilometre 9, 04130 Almeria.Tel.: +34 950 292 918

ABHow to get aroundGetting around in Almeria is very easy. The Old Quarter and the different neighbourhoods are all in walking distance. To reach areas that are out of walking distance, public transport is recom-mended.

ABWhen to visitWith more than 3,000 hours of sunlight per year and an average temperature of 18.7ºC, Almeria has one of the most privileged climates in the Iberian Peninsula. This makes Almeria an ideal all year round destination. Our original and ex-act slogan explains this to our visitors “Almeria, where the Sun holidays in Winter”.

> Palm trees on the City’s Paseo Marítimo (sea promenade).

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ABGuided toursThe size of the Old Quarter and the nearby neigh-bourhoods makes them ideal to be visited on foot. The sightseeing train is another interesting way to get to know the City.

> Guided Tours

Guided Tours are the best way to get to know the natural and cultural patrimony of the City throughout the year. The variety of itineraries will take the visitors to discover all the charms hidden in the streets, squares and in the unique sites of the City.Information: Tourism office 950 210 538

> siGhT-seeinG Train

Itinerary through the Old Quarter and the Port of Almeria.Information: Tourism Office: 950 210 538Starting point Emilio Pérez Square, next to Cir-cular Square.Saturdays and Sundays. Mornings: 11 am, 12 am and 13 pm. Afternoons: 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm. (July y August: 6 pm, 7pm y 8 pm)

ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

> Tourism services companies

Congresur 20014, Santos Zárate Street, 1st floor apt. 4, 04004 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 08 92 [email protected]

Contraportada40, Montserrat Avenue, 1st Stairway, 2nd floor, Apt. B, 04006 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 24 23 [email protected]

Indalcongress35, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 15 17 [email protected]

Meditecon 200216, Hernán Cortés Street, 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 25 61 31www.meditecon.com - [email protected]

Mundicongress6, Doctor Gómez Ulla, Street, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 24 30 [email protected]

P&S Congresos13, Doctor Gregorio Marañón Street, 6th Floor Apt. 1, 04005 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 62 26 [email protected]

Thema Azafatas55, Altamira Street, Ground floor, 04005 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 255 [email protected]

ABEmergency Info

emergency telephone numbersEmergency telephone number: ............................ 112Ambulances: ...........................................950 268 994Firedepartment: ............................ 950 271 534 / 080Seaman’s home: ......................................950 235 181Red Cross: ................................................950 257 166Police Station: .........................................950 623 040Health emergencies: ............................................ 061Guardia Civil: ................................. 950 256 122 / 062Guardia Civil (traffic): ..............................950 256 323Policía Nacional (urban police force) : ......950 238 200Local Police Force: ....................................950 621 206

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> MOORISH ALMERIA » The Medina. X Century Almeria » San Cristobal Hill. XI Century Almeria » The Alcazaba » The Sea front.The Port

> CHRISTIAN ALMERIA » Temples in Almeria » Barroque Legacy in Almeria

> ALMERIA THROUGH THE CENTURIES: CENTURIES XVIII-XIX » Stately and bourgeois Almeria » The Iron Mining Boom » Eliminating the Walls: Modern Era Almeria

> XX CENTURY ALMERIA » Almeria bourgeois » The City of Guillermo Langle. The Civil War bomb shelters

> CABO DE GATA > THE MILLARES > DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE OF ALMERIA > TAPAS SAFARI > BULLFIGHTING TRADITION. BULLRING > SPECIAL DATES TO VISIT

» Summer Evening Visits (July and August) » Torregarcia Celebration in honour of La Virgen del Mar (Our Lady of the Sea)

» Holy Week in Almeria » May Holy Crosses » The Sea and the Tradition of the Saint John bonfires

» Almeria’s Fair > THEATRICALLY REPRESENTED VISITS

» Films made in Almeria » Medieval Almeria

AAGuided tours organized by the Tourism Board of the City of Almeria

» Catholic Kings in Almeria » The History of Los Coloraos » Saint Valentines in Almeria » Legends and Traditions of Almeria » That Almeria

> THEATRICALLY REPRESENTED VISITS IN SUMMER (JULY AND AUGUST) » Almeria and Los Coloraos » Moorish Almeria. X Century » Moorish Almeria. XI Century » Catholic Kings in Almeria » That Almeria (XIX Century and beginning of XX Century)

> Image taken from a Holy Week Procession.

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civil protectionLocal Government: ..................................950 210 000Government Delegation: .........................950 01 0100Civil Government: ....................................950 759 000Government Subdelegation: ...................950 759 000Sea Rescue Service: .................................950 271 726

950 275 477

ABShopping hoursShopping hours begin between 9.30 am and 10 am and close at 20:30 am, with a break at lunch time. The big supermarkets usually close between 9 pm and 10 pm and do not close throughout the day.Banks usually open between 8 am and 8:30 am and close between 1:30 pm and 2 pm.

ABCredit cardsemergency telephone numbers4B ............................................................902 114 400American Express .................................... 902 375 637Diners Club ...............................................902 401 112Mastercard ...............................................900 971 231Tarjeta 6000 .............................................902 203 000Visa ..........................................................900 991 124Credit Card Protection Service ..................914 531 470

ABHealth services

Red Cross Hospital (public hospital)196, Ronda Road.Tel.: 950 017 400 / 950 222 222

Hospital Provincial (public hospital)San Luis Square.Tel.: 950 017 600

Hospital Torrecárdenas (public hospital)Torrecárdenas Paraje.Tel.: 950 016 000

Hospital Virgen del Mar (private hospital)Virgen del Mar Square.Tel.: 950 290 099 / 950 217 100

Clínica Mediterráneo (private clinic)Nueva Musa Street.Tel.: 950 621 631

Urgencias Bola Azul (public urgency service)Ronda Road.Tel.: 950 017 206 / 950 017 207

> View of La Rambla.

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ABHow to get to Almeria

>By plane

The City is only a few minutes away from the Almeria International Airport which is connected to various Spanish and European destinations by regular and charter flights.Almeria AirportNijar Road, Kilometre 9, 04130 Almeria.Tel.: 950 21 37 [email protected]

>By Train and coach

The Intermodal Station (trains and buses) con-nects the City of Almeria with all the towns and cities of the Province and to different cities in Spain and Europe.Intermodal Station6, Estación Square, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 26 20 98

>By car

By car, Almeria is accessible on the Mediterra-nean coast by the A-7 and with the rest of Anda-lusia by the A-92.

>By ship

The Port of Almeria is an important fishing port, export terminal and passenger hub, apart from being port of call for many cruise ships that sail on the Mediterranean Sea.The Almeria Port AuthorityMuelle de Levante Street, 04071 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 60 [email protected]

ABHow to get aroundInside the City, moving around is easy, the distances are short and there is a great public transport service.

>By BusSurbúsTel.: 950 62 47 35www.surbus.com - [email protected]

>cyclinG

The following streets and promenades have bi-cycle lanes so you may ride through the City or admire the coast: Federico García Lorca Rambla, Amatisteros Rambla, Nicolás Salmerón Park, the Sea Promenade, Ribera Path to the University, La Cañada to the University and the Boticario Park.

>TaxisTele TaxiTel.: 950 25 11 11

Radio TaxiTel.: 950 22 61 61

>car renTal companiesAtesa141, Nuestra Señora de Montserrat Avenue.950 252 275 / Fax: 950 275 672Airport: Nijar Road, kilometre 9, Almeria.950 761 002 / Fax: 950 213 745www.atesa.com

Telefurgo (van rentals)Tel. 902 889 [email protected] - www.telefurgo.com

Almericar17, Rueda López Street - Tel.: 950 234 966www.almericar.com

Record Rent a Car S.ALa Mezquita Industrial Estate - warehouses 4 and 5.Tel.: 950 273 575 - www.recordrent.com

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Alva Rent a Car22, Alfareros Rambla, 04003.Tel.: 950 237 747 - www.rentacaralvacar.com

FualsaTel.: 902 666 333 - www.fualsa.com

MapfreTel.: 902 448 844www.mapfre.com/automoviles

AvisAlmeria. Intermodal Station – Establishment 9.Tel.: 950 621 712 - www.avis.com

Autos Casado S.L13, Pío Baroja Street, Ground floor.Tel.: 950 454 153 - www.autoscasado.com

Viajes París1, Puerta del Mar Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 620 575 - www.viajesparis.com

Servirent & Servibus8, Avión Street, 04009 Almeria.Tel.: 950 278 118

Rent a Car26, Horno Street, 04005 Almeria.Tel.: 950 270 327

Clásicos RB55, Altamira Street, 04005 Almeria.Tel.: 649 101 773

ABWhere to stay > hoTels 4*

AC Almería5, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 49 99www.ac-hotels.com - [email protected]

Alcazaba MarJuegos de Argel Street El Toyo Urbanisation.04131 Retamar (Almeria). Tel.: 950 20 91 [email protected]

Barceló Cabo de GataEl Toyo Promenade, El Toyo Urbanisation.04131 Retamar (Almeria). Tel.: 950 18 42 50www.barcelo.com - [email protected]

Cabogata GardenJuegos de Casablanca Avenue, El Toyo Urbanisation, 04131 Retamar (Almería)Tel.: 950 01 07 50 - [email protected]

Cabo de Gata Mar GardenJuegos de Casablanca Avenue, El Toyo Urbanisation, 04131 Retamar (Almería)Tel.: 950 01 79 50 / 950 18 16 [email protected]

Cabogata Plaza SuitesJuegos de Argel Street, El Toyo Urbanisation.04131 Retamar (Almeria). - Tel.: 950 00 12 00www.zthoteles.es - [email protected]

Catedral8, La Catedral Square, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 27 81 [email protected]

Citymar Gran Hotel Almería8, Reina Regente Avenue, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 80 11 - [email protected]

Elba AlmeríaMediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria.Tel.: 950 14 53 90 - [email protected]

> The Intermodal Station Façade.

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Husa Gran FamaMediterráneo Avenue, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 14 50 39www.husa.es - [email protected]

Nh Ciudad de AlmeríaJardín de Medina Street, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 18 25 [email protected]

Plaza Vieja Hotel & Lounge4, Constitution Square. 04003 AlmeríaTel.: 950 28 20 96www.plazaviejahl.com - [email protected]

Tryp Indalo310, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria.Tel.: 950 18 34 00www.solmelia.com - [email protected]

Vincci Mediterráneo281, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria.Tel.: 950 62 42 [email protected]

> Hotels 3*

Citymar Indálico4, Dolores Rodríguez Sopeña Street.04004 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 23 11 [email protected]

Costasol58, Paseo de Almeria, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 40 11www.hotelcostasol.comrecepció[email protected]

Torreluz3, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 43 99www.torreluz.es - [email protected]

> Hotels 2*

Blanca Brisa49, Las Jóricas Street, 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria).- Tel: 950 37 00 [email protected]

Complejo de Servicios El 21Almeria-Murcia Highway, exit 471.04130 Almería - Tel.: 950 20 74 [email protected]

Embajador4, Calzada de Castro Street, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 25 55 [email protected]

La Perla HR7, Carmen Square, 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 88 77 - [email protected]

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Las SalinasAlmadraba de Monteleva Street. 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria). - Tel.: 950 37 01 [email protected]

Los Arcos157, Nijar Road, 157, 04130 El Alquián (Almeria).Tel.: 950 29 76 03 - [email protected]

Sol Almería193, Ronda Road, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 27 18 11www.hotelsolalmeria.net - [email protected]

Torreluz II6, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 43 99www.torreluz.com - [email protected]

> Hotels 1*

Sevilla25, Granada Street, 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 00 [email protected]

> Hostals 2*

Delfín Verde2, García Cañas Street, 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 26 79 27

> Hostals 1*

Maribel153, Federico Garcia Lorca Avenue.04005 Almería - Tel.: 950 23 51 73www.hostalmaribel.es - [email protected]

Nixar24, Antonio Vico Street, 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 72 55 - [email protected]

> GuestHouses

Americano6, Estación Avenue, 04005 Almeria.Tel.: 950258011 - www.hostaldealmeria.com

Estación37, Calzada de Castro Street, 04006 Almeria.Tel.: 950 26 72 [email protected]

Hostal Las Dunas58, Barrio Nuevo Street.04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria) - Tel.: 950 37 00 72www.lasdunas.net - [email protected]

Hostal Manolo CruzBotica Retamar Promenade.04131 Retamar (Almería)Tel.: 950 20 74 03

Torrecárdenas13, Teruel Street. 04009 AlmeríaTel.: 950 14 27 [email protected]

Navas3, Iglesia Street, 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria).Tel.: 950 37 01 02 - www.barnavas.com

> -apartHotels

Apartahoteles Torreluz6, Flores Square, Building, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 43 99www.torreluz.es - [email protected]

> YoutH Hostals

Almería Youth HostalIsla de Fuenteventura Street, 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 17 51 [email protected]

> CampinGs

Camping Cabo de GataCabo de Gata Road.04150 Cabo de Gata (Almería)Tel.: 950 16 04 [email protected]

Camping La GarrofaNational Road N.340, kilometre 435.04002 Almería. Tel.: 950 23 57 [email protected]

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> Panoramic view of the Alcazaba from the Fishing Port.

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AA Enjoy the city

Almeria has an extensive legacy of monuments inherited from the succession of cultures and the riches of its history.

From Moorish times: in the X Century, the Al-cazaba and the remains of the Main Mosque (today’s San Juan Church); in the XI Century, the City reached its maximum splendour of which the Aljibes (water cisterns) and the Jairan Wall built from the Alcazaba to Cerro San Cristobal (Hill behind the Alcazaba) are the most impor-tant remains.

From Christian times, the Cathedral Fortress, the Churches of Santiago, San Pedro , San Sebastian, the Convent Church of Las Puras and the Convent Church of Las Claras among other temples.

The City of Almeria, after a rich Moorish period, will not recuperate its splendour until the XVIII Century, reaching its maximum development at the end of the XIX Century. From this time, the

Arts and Crafts School, the Bullring, the Central Market, the Train Station and especially the Min-eral Loading Pier.The Bomb Shelters, restored in 2006, are an-other interesting visit. The Shelters are an under-ground gallery system, built to protect the civil-ian population from raids during the Civil War.

> San Cristóbal Hill.

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AA Weekend itinerary

Friday

> Morning

The Cathedral Fortressin the Cathedral Square, the Portal of the re-naissance Cathedral Fortress can be admired as well as the Façade of the Episcopal Palace opposite the Cathedral. The Cathedral is only open during Mass. The entrance for guided tours inside the Cathedral is at a lateral street named after the great painter, Velazquez Street.

Before beginning the tour of the Cathedral, our advice is to go to the corner of the Cathe-dral with Cubo Street to admire the emblem of the City of almeria the “Sol de Portocarrero”.

Leaving the Cathedral by the lateral door at Velazquez Street, turn right and go up the street, at the end of which you will be able to contemplate the lateral Portal of “Los Perdo-nes” (the forgiveness) and continue to the XVi Century Las Puras (Religious Order) Church and Convent with its Mudejar (pertaining to Moors in Christian land) Tower situated on a typical street of Moorish descent crowned by the sight of the alcazaba overhead.

Strolling up Jose angel Valente Street, where the poet’s house is located, we arrive at Cam-

poamor Street opposite to the XiX Century Palace of Los Marqueses de Cabra, present History archive of the City. Continuing up arréaz Street, you will arrive at the rear Façade of the Town Council Building and to the Ad-ministration Vieja Square where the UNEd (Spanish Open University) is located in the for-mer XiX Century Las Puras School and inside the Plaza Vieja (Constitution Square) where the Town Council is located, we have the Mo-nument to Los Coloraos (The reds).

Continuing to the City centre through Mariana Street, we arrive at the emblematic Tiendas Street and finally to the XVi Century Santia-go Church (Temple in honour of Saint Geor-ge). There is a pedestrian street full of bars next to the Temple where we can find the Xi Century Aljibes de Jairán (water cisterns). We continue on to the Paseo de Almeria and then turn left to Puerta de Purchena, what could be considered as the real City centre. in this Square, we can admire La Casa de las Mariposas, el Cañillo del Agua, the Statue of Nicolas Salmeron y Alonso and we can also visit the Civil War Bomb Shelters ( Manuel Perez Garcia Square).

Now, we take Granada Street with an interes-ting variety of shops to Vilches Street, where we can promenade through the market and admire the Bullring (polygonal base with 20 sides built in 1888, very lively during the Fair of almeria in august)

To eat, you can visit the restaurants and tapa bars between La rambla and El Paseo, the Sea Promenade and the Zapillo neighbourhood.

> afternoon: The Archaeological Museum located at ron-da road will take you through the history of almeria from prehistoric settlements (argar and Los Millares) to roman and Moorish ti-mes. after the visit, we can walk down ronda

> Sight-seeing train takes you to the most emblematic corners of the City.

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road to the Centro de arte Museo de almeria (almeria’s modern art museum), where tem-porary exhibitions are held. The Museum is next to a building built in 1927, which is an interesting example of bourgeois architecture. Opposite the Museum and the bourgeois Buil-ding, lies the Train Station built in 1893 as a great example of iron architecture.

> Evening:dinner with a flamenco flair at Peña Fla-menca El Morato (typical cave at Morato Street, Tel.: 675 525 460) or Peña El Taranto (aljibe de Jairan at Tenor iribarne Street, 20 Tel.: 950 235 460).

SaTUrday

> Morningdiscover the Sun of almeria at El Toyo and Retamar (highway in direction to Murcia). El Toyo was built for the 2005 Mediterranean Games celebrated in almeria. The area has great areas to promenade or to relax; you can

play golf or enjoy a spa.

Taking the coastal road towards Murcia, we enter the Natural Park Cabo de Gata (de-clared Costal and Land Natural Park and Bios-phere reserve by the UNESCO). you must see and visit Las Salinas, the beach and the Bird Observation Centre with more than 80 spe-cies including flamencos.

To eat, you can reserve a paella in the fisherman’s neighbourhood of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata and enjoy beautiful fresh fish at the Salinas Beach, La Fabriquilla or at La alma-draba de Moneleva.

> afternoon:

Shopping in XIX Century Almeriayou can go shopping in the City Centre and at the same time get to know some of almeria’s past. Walking down El Paseo at the interSec-tion with the pedestrian aguilar de Campoo Street, you can see the Main Façade of the XiX Century Central Market, an example of iron architecture. Proceeding down El Paseo, we arrive at Navarro rodrigo Street, where the Palacio de la Diputacion (Provincial Govern-ment Building) is located. This Palace encloses a splendid Patio de Luces (interior patio) where temporary art exhibitions take place. Following Navarro rodrigo Street, we arrive at Obispo Orberá rambla where the 1855 Compañía de Maria Convent is located.

We take Obispo Orbera towards the Federico Garcia Lorca Rambla an extensive park full of ponds, fountains and garden areas. Now we promenade down towards the sea to the Pla-za de las Velas (Sails Square) where the Es-tatua de la Caridad (Charity Statue 1897) is located and on the opposite side of the street is the unique Casa de Gonzalez Montoya (1928) also known as La Casa Montañes (“Mountain Chalet” pertaining to an archi-

> El Toyo Sea Balcony.

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tectural style from northern Spain). Now we finally arrive at the Nicolas Salmeron Park from where we can contemplate the Cable ingles (li-terally known as the English cable, the mineral Loading Pier built in 1904). The Cable ingles is linked to the Train Station through a railway bridge all the way to the almadrabillas beach.

> Evening:dining out and enjoying the night life: restau-rants and bars in the centre of Town (between Paseo de almeria and Garcia Lorca rambla).

SUNday

> Morning:an inexcusable visit is to the Civil War Bomb Shelters located at Puerta Purchena at Manuel Perez Garcia Square. Bomb resistant subterra-nean galleries which conservation, dimensions and importance make them unique in Spain Booking: 950 268 696 [email protected]

Leaving the Shelters at Pablo Cazard Street, you will find the Arts Crafts School with a XViii Century Cloister. Continuing down Gravi-

na Street, you will come upon the Sanctuary of La Virgen del Mar (temple devoted to the Our Lady of the Seas), where the image of the Virgen, a Xiii-XiV Century Sculpture is kept. at the end of Gravina Street, we meet real Street and turn down towards the Port where we arrive at Fuente de los Peces (the fish foun-tain) at the Nicolas Salmeron Park. Turning right up to the end of San Luis Promenade, you will arrive at La reina Promenade, follow the street all the way up to almanzor Street and you will finally arrive at the foot of the al-cazaba which is located on the hill dominating the Medina.

To eat: Nicolas Salmeron Park, the Marina and the beach promenade.

> afternoon:To have a coffee, we recommend the Paseo de almeria- La rambla area and the Sea Pro-menade.Visit to the City beaches

> Evening:Going for a walk and having dinner on the beach promenade or at the Old Quarter.

> Spanish Civil War Bomb Shelter.

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ABArt and culture

> a BiT of hisTory

During the Moorish period, Almeria reached its maximum splendour, especially during the XI-XII Centuries, after the fall the Caliphate of Cordoba, becoming a very populated and civilized area. From this period, the Alcazaba is the most im-portant legacy that has endured till today.

After the fall of the City to the Catholic Kings on December 26 1489, Almeria fell into centuries of decline. Only in the XVIII Century did Almeria begin to prosper once again and especially at the middle and end of the XIX Century, as it had in Moorish times, due to the mining business and the cultivation of grapes which made the bour-geoisie prosper.

Today, Almeria has a firm economy based on tourism and agriculture (extensive greenhouse-horticulture production).

> moorish almeria

The AlcazabaThe Alcazaba has 1,430 metres of walled pe-rimetre; it is the second biggest Moorish con-struction after the Alhambra. In the X Century, Abderraman III ordered the Fortress to be built after founding the City. The Fortress is structured in three enclosures, the first two Moorish and the last one Christian. Works on the Christian enclo-sure began after the Catholic Kings conquered the City in 1489.

The Fortress is located on a hill overlooking the primitive urban nucleus, la Medina. In the First Enclosure of today’s Alcazaba, there is an exten-sive garden area and Moorish Aljibes.

The Great XI Century Palace of King Almotacín is located in the Second Enclosure. This area was made up of a public area, where today, you can find Aljibes (water cisterns) from the Cali-phate period, a Christian arch which belonged to the residence of the first Christian governor, two reconstructed buildings, the Mudejar style

> Gate to the Alcazaba.

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There are remains of human settlements, as far back as the Bronze age, on the hill overlooking almeria where the alcazaba is located. Before roman times, there are re-mains of Phonetician origin. From roman times, there are many ceramic remains from the i Century to more elaborated pieces of fine pottery from late roman Era (V and Vi Centuries). This means that there were sett-lements around the bay of almeria, which depended on an interior urban nucleus (Urci) and served as its natural port before the City was founded in 955. We can see remains from this period in many parts of the City.

The first reliable news referred to almeria go back to the iX Century, in which abd al-rah-man commissions a group of yemmenies to defend the coast to impede Normand raids. Together with the indigenous population, a republic of sailors was formed in Pechina (small village in the north of the City) which thrived on commerce, especially with the North of africa. Pechina grew and acquired the characteristics of a true city which was named Bayyana and almeria was just a coas-tal neighbourhood inhabited by fishermen and merchants with a defensive tower to control the bay.

The defensive tower was situated on the highest point of the hill where the alcazaba stands today, exactly in the third enclosure. The Tower gives name to the City, al-mariyat Bayyana the Tower of Pechina. after defea-ting a Mozarabe (Christians of roman and Visigoth descent) uprising, abd al- rahman iii (912-961), moved the Capital from Pe-china to the area surrounding the Tower of Pechina and thus founded the City. The Main Mosque was built and a wall was erec-ted linked to the Tower. The City was formed around a walled urban nucleus, La Medina, where the Main Mosque or aljama, the al-

AA Al-mariyat Bayyana

caiceria (silk market), the atarazanas (ship-yards) and the Zoco (market) stood.

al-Hawd and La Musalla were the religious and commercial neighbourhoods made up of independent nucleus separated by origin, creed and trade. in the years 1009-10, the Cordoba Caliphate Civil War began which resulted in almeria becoming an indepen-dent and thriving Taifas Kingdom. Jairan, at the death of Hixem ii of Cordoba, sieged and took the City and almeria seceded from Cordoba (the Caliphate disintegrated) thus creating one of the Kingdoms of Taifa. Jai-ran reinforced and extended the Walls of the City. almotacin (one of the successors of Jairan) surrounded himself with writers and poets in a small court of scholars.

in the Xi Century, almeria was the most im-portant international port in al-andalus. Silk of excellent quality and different varieties was the most exported product. almeria was famous for its textiles and for having many textile workshops. despite its splendour, al-meria was not able to withstand the siege of the almoravides (orthodox Muslims, origi-nating from the Sahara-Mauritania area) and later on, the Christian kingdoms attracted by the economic development invaded the City in 1147 under alfonso Vii. in 1157, the al-mohades (orthodox Muslims from the North of Morocco) conquered the City back into Moorish hands; these ten years of Christian domination produced an important econo-mic downturn.

in the Xiii Century, after the almohades, the Nazaries period began. The Nazari dynasty (last Moorish dynasty in the Peninsula) cha-racterized itself by continuous internal dispu-tes in which almeria was involved. Finally du-ring the 1488 and 1489 campaigns, almeria falls under Castilian dominance.

23

chapel devoted to San Juan, public rest-rooms, among other facilities. The House of Government or Palace reception area was also located in the central part of the Enclosure. The private quar-ters of King’s Almotacin’s Palace were located at the top part of the Enclosure nearest to the Third Enclosure. The only Remains of the Palace are the private baths and the only wall to be standing is the so called Mirador or Ventana de la Odalisca (observation point or window to the harem). This Window contains a curious legend referring to a love story between a Christian prisoner and the Kings favourite concubine.

Finally, the last Enclosure began to be built un-der the Catholic Kings after conquering the City. The Third Enclosure is a Christian castle inside a Moorish fortress. It is made up of a big courtyard

with three characteristic towers: La del Homena-je (of the homage), La Noria (waterwheel) and La Polvora (gun powder).Almanzor Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 175 500Open: 1 November to 31 March, Tuesdays to Sun-days, 9 pm to 6:30 pm; 1 April to 31 October 9 pm to 8:30 pm; Closed: 25 December and 1 January.

Musalla NeighbourhoodWhen the Cordoba Caliphate disintegrated, Al-meria became an independent Taifa. A period of important demographic and economic deve-lopment followed due to the Cordoba Civil War, which provoked a huge amount of population to come to Almeria from Pechina in search of pro-tection. There were also a great number of trave-llers passing by Almeria; at that time, there were more than 1,000 lodging houses in the Aljibe

> The Christian Enclosure in the Alcazaba.

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neighbourhood (Al-Hawd), today’s Pescaderia-La Chanca.

The rapid growth of the population made the newcomers build their homes outside the Walls, therefore the Kings Jairan and Zuhayr expanded the Walls to the east to envelop the settlements and in this way, create the Musalla neighbour-hood (the oratory).

These Walls named after Jairan, begin in the First Enclosure, go through the Hoya ravine to the San Cristobal hill (this part of the Wall continues intact). From here, the Wall descends to Anto-nio Vico Street and Carmen to Puerta Purchena Square (before called Pechina), then the Wall

continued through Obispo Orbera Street to Javier Sanz Street and then to La Rambla towards the sea. The other Wall began in the fortress bulwark and went down Reina Street and divided the Medina from la Musalla.

The Musalla was the main market place; it in-cluded today’s Plaza Vieja, that was an area full of bazars and taverns. The most important streets were Real Street of Pechina (afterwards called Lenceria Street and today’s Las Tiendas Street), Mar Street (today’s Real Street), both were very important commercial areas.

> Jayran Wall.

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Jairan Wall and San Cristobal HillFrom the Alcazaba descends the Wall towards the North across the Hoya ravine, this Wall con-tinues to the San Cristobal Hill. This part of the Wall was built in the times of Jairan, XI Century (1012-1028). This is what remains of the Musalla Wall that continued down to Antonio Vico Street.

On the Hill, known in Moorish times as Monte La-ham there are 7 towers, three Moorish of square construction and four Christian of semi-circular structure. The Christian towers were built by the Templars who converted it into a fortress-chapel after they conquered the City commanded by Alfonso VII in 1147.

This Hill has an incredible view on the City, and on its summit, there is an impressive statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus made of marble from Macael. The Statue that blesses the City and the

Mediterranean Sea was built in the XX Century (around 1930) and restored in the year 2000.

The Almeria Wall Interpretation CentreThe Almeria Wall Interpretation Centre situated on the corner of La Reina Street with Nicolas Salmeron Park contains remains of the Calipha-te Wall that date back to the times the City was founded in the X Century and a fish-salting fac-tory of Roman times.Nicolás Salmerón Park corner La Reina Street. 04002 Almeria - Tel.: 950 250 286Open Wednesday to Sunday 10h to 14h.

BUILDING ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

La MedinaLa Medina was the first urban area of the City. Abderraman III Founded the City in 995 (X Century) and undertook the fortification of the

> La Medina, at the foot of the Alcazaba.

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La Medina, and the construction of the Wall to defend the City, as well as the Main Mosque for prayer.

The Wall extended from Mar Avenue to La Reina Street, then crossed diagonally from La Imagen Gate (at the beginning of La Reina Street) to La Sortida (Socorro Street), Pechina Path (Real de la Almedina Street) which belonged to the Medina of Caliphate times. Remains of the Wall still exist.

Another principal street went along Cruces Ba-jas Street, to Santa Maria Street, to San Anton Street and finally to San Juan Street. The main streets had a minimum width (never exceeding 3m.) and were crossed by smaller narrower and winding streets. These smaller streets divided in smaller dead end alleys (as the one originated in Santa Maria Street).

This complex organization of streets and alleys left no space for plazas and squares. The com-mercial quarter, formed by warehouses, markets and bazars was established around the Main Mosque. La Alcaiceria (luxury commercial area) was also situated around the Mosque. Las Ata-razanas (shipyards) were located at Atarazanas Street. They occupied a large area in the south-east of the Medina. There were many smaller neighbourhoods surrounding La Medina with their own Mosque, for example today’s San An-ton Chapel was a neighbourhood mosque.

The Aljibe neighbourhood (Al-Hawd)This Neighbourhood, today’s Pescaderia-La Chanca, was the old Moorish Al-Hawd; it meant “aljibe” (water cistern). The name comes from an aljibe that existed in the Neighbourhood at the

time. The Neighbourhood began at Mar Avenue all the way to the Caballar ravine. It was formed by fishermen, merchants and sailors of the west-ern anchorage area.

The Chanca neighbourhood started developing in 1850. Its name means “establishment or fish-ing utensils warehouse”, where the fishermen stored their fishing apparel. This Neighbour-hood was the Jewish quarter, especially near San Roque church, till they were expelled by the Catholic Kings. Edrisi commented that the neighbourhood was densely inhabited with many baths, shops and taverns.

> Interior view of an Arab Aljibe.

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The Chanca has some magnificent viewpoints over the City: Barranco de Greppi and Cerillo del Hambre. To reach the two viewpoints, go up Cara Street and continue up one of the most typical streets: Hospicio Viejo Street.

Aljibes Árabes (Moorish water cisterns)Almeria in Moorish times did not have running water in the buildings therefore pillars and foun-tains had to be projected. We have information of the waterworks in Almeria thanks to al-Himyari and al-Udri. According to al-Himyari, Jairan dur-ing his reign ordered the construction of a water system; but al-Udri declared that it was built in Jairan’s successors reign, Zuhayr (1028-1038). In any case, the Aljibes are known as Jairan’s.

The objective facts are that a water system was built from the fountains of the Alhadra to the higher part of the City, Puerta de Pechina (now Puerta de Purchena), where in the XI Century Taifa period, aljibes for public use were put in place.

Of the Aljibes built, there are only remains of three communicated naves. The Aljibes meas-ured 15 X 3.5 metres and were built with solid bricks and half barrel vault. These water cisterns are located at Tenor Iribarne Street.

The total volume of water the Aljibes could store was 630,000 litres; this quantity was enough to supply the City during a long siege. There were also wells to supply waterwheels and water-ways.12, Tenor Iribarne Street, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 273 039Open: Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm and Satur-days 10 pm to 12:30 am.

San Juan Church (previous Main Mosque)The Church was built on the remains of the for-mer Main Mosque of Almeria. The Mosque was erected in the X Century; after the Catholic Kings conquered the City in 1489, it was converted into the first Cathedral of the City.

However, after the earthquake in 1522, only the primitive structure of the Mosque remained: the wall of the Quibla and the niche of the Mihrab, which belonged to the Oratory. The Mihrab Niche was rediscovered in the 1930s (XX Cen-tury) by Leopoldo Torres Balbas after remaining hidden since the construction of the San Juan Church. The interior style is XII Century Almohad.

After the destruction of the Mosque, the Bishop Portocarrero ordered the Church to be built at the beginning of the XVII Century. During the Spanish Civil War, the Church suffered the con-sequences of the bombings as the Mudejar style roof was destroyed and only the outer walls re-mained. The Church was left abandoned in the middle of the Old Quarter. In 1979, the Church was rehabilitated in order to celebrate Mass once again.

In 1991, the Church was restored by the Direction General de Bienes Culturales de la Consejeria de Medio Ambiente (Cultural and Patrimonial De-partment of the Government of Andalusia). The Quibla and the Mihrab of the original Mosque were recuperated and the Church received a new roof, replacing the prefabricated roof from the 1979 reconstruction.

The XVII Century Façade of the Church, facing Cristo de la Buena Muerte Square, stands out due

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to its rusticated stone masonry. The Pediment is decorated with the coat of arms of the Bishop Portocarrero by whose initiative the Temple was erected.General Luque Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 220 748Open: Winter: 18 am to 6:30 am; Summer: 7 pm 7:30 pm.

Calle de las Tiendas (literally: street of shops)Typical street of Moorish heritage, it follows Camino de Pechina and ends at Puerta de Pe-china.

Puerta de Pechina (Pechina Gate)Puerta de Pechina was the most important en-trance to the City; it was located at Manuel Perez Garcia Square at the beginning of Tiendas Street. The Entrance was knocked down in 1855 to per-mit the modern City to expand.

> Façade of the Church of San Juan (previously the Main Mosque of the City).

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> chrisTian almeria

The CathedralThe Cathedral Square was designed in the XIX Century and has undergone remodelling sev-eral times, the last one in the year 2000. The XVI Century Façade of the Cathedral-Fortress with its Renaissance Portal presides the Square.

The construction of the Cathedral began in 1524, after the 1522 earthquake destroyed the first Ca-thedral, situated on the site of the Main Mosque in the Medina. The prime characteristic of the Temple lies on the fact that it is a Cathedral-

fortress; it had religious and defensive functions to protect the population from barbary pirates. The Main Façade of the Cathedral denotes its defensive characteristic: strong walls and coun-terforts. The decoration lies mainly on the Por-tal: the coat of arms of Charles I of Spain and V of Germany and the bishop founder of the Cathe-dral, Fray Diego Fernandez de Villalan. The lateral Portal, “Los Perdones” on Velazquez Street, is also of Renaissance style although the decoration is not as rich.

The interior is of Gothic style with a rectangular nave; The Sacristan and the masonry work of

> The Cathedral of Almeria.

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the Choir are of Renaissance style from the art-ist Juan de Orea. The Retro-choir and the Cloister are XVIII Century Neoclassic. The Cloister is the best example of a Neoclassical cloister in Spain. The High Altar, modified in the XVII Century, is presided by a Tabernacle decorated as a retable with scenes of the life of the Virgen Mary and there are two antique XVI engravings of La Anunciacion and el Calvario de Cristo (the Annunciation and the Torment of Christ) in the middle of the ensemble. The most important chapels are situated behind the High Altar in the Girola: San Indalecio, El Cristo de la Escucha (Christ who listens) and la Virgen de la Piedad (Our Lady of Pity).

In the Cathedral Plaza opposite the Cathedral stands the XIX Century Episcopal Palace. The Emblem of the City “Sol de Portocarrero” is on the corner of one of the Cathedral’s towers at the Calle Cubo which belongs to the Chapel Santo Cristo de la Escucha.Catedral Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 .Open: Monday to Friday 10h to 14h and 16h to 18h.

MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED

San Pedro ChurchThe Square was designed in 1848 by order of the Civil Governor Eugenio Sartorius with gardens and a roundabout. The name of the Square has changed from San Francisco to San Pedro; in 1862 it was named Isabel II and de la Libertad in 1868.

The San Pedro (or Sartorius as it was named at the middle of the Century) roundabout was built on the plot of the former Convent of San Francisco and its gardens. This land was expro-priated from the Spanish Catholic Church by the Desamortizacion Law of 1835. Ramon Orozco

(an important local businessman who had earned fortune through the mining boom in eastern Almeria) bought the plot and urbanized the Square in 1855. The Square, an ample space flanked by straight streets (Castelar and San Francisco), became a wealthy residential area and part of the City’s eastern expansion.

The San Pedro Church, a magnificent example of Neoclassical style in Almeria together with the Cathedral’s Cloister, was built between XVIII and XIX Centuries on the ruins of the XVI San Fran-cisco Convent. After the Desamortizacion, the Convent was converted into today’s San Pedro Diocese. On the High Altar, there is an image of San Pedro were previously San Francisco stood. There is a big medallion of Saint Francis of As-sisi and Santo Domingo de Guzman giving each other a hug with two angles representing the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. The Church conserves an antique XVII Century Chapel, the only part of the Convent recovered. The Main Façade of the Church is very unique, it presents a Portal between two twin towers; the lateral Portal at Rodrigos Street is not as richly decorated. The XX Century Tower hanging over Rodrigos Street is of Historical style. San Pedro Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 230 803Open: Monday to Friday from 12:30 am to 1 pm and from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.

Esclavas del Santísimo Sacramento ConventThe Convent was previously the old XVII Cen-tury San Pedro el Viejo Church before the 1837 Mendizabal Desamortización (Mendizabal’s expropriation of Catholic Church patrimony) then the Diocese moved to the old San Francisco

48 48

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Convent. At the end of the XIX Century, the Build-ing was reformed and inaugurated by the Jesuit Order at the beginning of the XX Century. After being damaged during the Civil War, the Convent was rebuilt. Today the Building is the closed Con-vent of Las Esclavas del Santisimo Sacramento Order. The last rehabilitation was done by Ra-mon de Torres. Its interior transmits peace of mind and the ceiling is of a Mudejar style.San Pedro Street, 04001 Almeria.

San Sebastián ChurchThe San Sebastian Square gives the name to the Temple located in the Square. From the XI Century, the Square was always one of the most popular areas of the City and a crossroad to the north-east and east of the Province. In Moorish times, the Square was on the outskirts of the Wall and presided by a mosque which in Chris-tian times became the temple of San Sebastian. In the XVIII Century, it was part of the City expan-sion area and became a square. Today, there is a small Monument erected in honour of the Im-maculate Conception which was restored after the 1936 Civil War.

The Church standing in the Square was a mosque in Moorish times which became the temple of San Sebastian. In the XVII Century, the Diocese of San Sebastian de las Huertas was founded; it is named after the popular name given to the plot it was founded on “San Sebastian de las Güertas” (“Güertas” local phonetic variation of “Huertas” {plot of land}). The Church was blessed in 1679 by the Bishop D. Antonio de Ibarra; his coat of arms decorates the lateral Portal. The Temple, predominantly Baroque was built between the XVII and XVIII Centuries. The Temple has two

Portals: the Main Portal overlooking the Square and a lateral Portal at Alcalde Muñoz Street. The Tower of the Church has a characteristic polygo-nal shape. On the Main Portal, there is a repre-sentation of the martyrdom of San Sebastian by Ventura Rodriguez and J. Antonio Munar. On the sides of the Church there are very powerful counter-fortes, strong walls and a very charac-teristic dome at Murcia Street. The Façade of the Church is presided by a lateral tower.San Sebastián Square, 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 231 195Open: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 11 am.


> The San Sebastian Church.

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Santo Domingo Church, the Sanctuary of La Virgen del Mar (Our Lady of the Sea)The La Virgen del Mar Square, designed in the middle of the XIX Century, is a tranquil spot lo-cated in the Old Quarter. The Square is presided by the Façade of the Sanctuary La Virgen del Mar (Our Lady of the Seas), popularly known as the Temple of the Patron. The Dominican Order is in charge of the Temple which is also known as the Santo Domingo Church.

This Order founded Santo Domingo el Real Convent in the XVI Century occupying the land where the School of Arts and Patron’s Sanctu-ary are now located. The XII-XIV Century poly-chromed Image of the Virgen del Mar lies in the interior of the Temple. The Image was found next to a Atalaya (defensive tower) on the Torregarcía beach in 1502.

The Square is furnished with gardens and foun-tains and the bust of Father Vallarin. This Domin-ican Father lived most of his life in Almeria and distinguished himself by his dedication to the re-habilitation of the Sanctuary after the Civil War.

The Church, which has two XIX Century Portals, was hugely damaged during the Civil War. The Sanctuary had to be restored due to a terrible fire. The interior of The Sanctuary is of Baroque style, decorated by Jesus de Perceval. We must highlight the Chapel which holds the original Image of the Patron, Our Lady of the Sea.Virgen del Mar Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 237 948Open: Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 12 am and from 6 pm to 9 pm.

MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

Santa María Magdalena Royal Hospital and Chapel (called the Provincial Hospital)El Hospital Provincial is one of the most antique buildings conserved to this day. The Hospital was built by the initiative of the Bishop Fray Diego Fernandez de Villalan between the years 1547 and 1557; Juan de Orea also participated in the work. At the end of the XVIII Century, the ecclesiastical administration of the Hospital was changed to a board of administration controlled by both civilian and ecclesiastical authorities. In 1777, the newly constituted Board of Adminis-

> Church of Santo Domingo or “Temple of the Patron”.

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tration took on some important works on the building. The XVI Century Courtyard was redone during the works taken on in the Hospital at the end of the XVIII Century.

The Main Façade, overlooking Hospital Street, has a Neoclassic Portal built in 1778. The Portal is framed between two Jonic Pillars that sustain an Entablature inscribed with the name of the Hospital and the date. The Portal is crowned by a balcony with a curved moulding with the Royal Coat of Arms in its centre. The Ensemble is an example of the transition between Baroque and Neoclassic Periods.Hospital Street, 04002 AlmeriaTel.: 619 103 222 Open: from Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 13:30 pm.

Compañía de María Church ConventRestauracion Period (Spanish political period be-tween the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s) in Almeria meant a new implementa-tion of religious architecture with an important number works taken on. Among the building projects erected, the Compañía de María Church Convent built by initiative of the Diocese Prelate Jose Maria Orbera y Canton.

The origin of the building was conceived by the Bishop Orbera, he wished to create a school of free tuition, in order to do that he asked the Town Council for 8,851 metres of land in the Re-ducto area. Once he was conceded his petition, he turned it down as he had found a better plot between Belen Rambla and Pescaderia Prom-

> Retable of Santiago Church.

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enade (today’s Obispo Orbera) which was being built at that time. This change of location modi-fied substantially the terms of the project as the previously chosen area at the west of the City was mainly a workers neighbourhood, therefore free tuition was needed, in contrast to the final area chosen in the bourgeois east expansion area of the City.

The Architect was Enrique Lopez Rull, the works started in 1882 and the School was inaugurated in 1885. The Nave is of rectangular shape and the Main Façade overlooks Obispo Orbera Rambla. The central part of the plot is occupied by the Church, the Convent and the School are on the sides of the Church. The architectural styles are Medieval Historicism with Gothic and Roman-esque roots.

Las Puras Church ConventThe Closed Convent of the Order of Franciscan Sisters (also known as Real Monasterio) rep-resents one of the most important artistic en-sembles of the City, declared of Spanish Cultural Interest in 1982. The construction took place in 1515 (the oldest in Almeria) when the Convent was founded. The site was on a plot of Moorish houses donated by Gutierrez de Cardenas, the first Christian Governor of the City. The styles represented go from the Mudejar to the Baroque including abundant reforms and transforma-tions. In 31 May 1498, Gutierrez de Cardenas in Alcala de Henares in his Last Will and Testament ordered a convent to Saint Clair to be founded. In 1503 at the death of Gutierrez de Cardenas, King Fernando the Catholic acceded to this, but his wife (King Fernando remarried after his wife and

Queen, Isabel of Castile died) Teresa Enriquez modified the Governor’s Will by giving the Con-vent to the Order of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Las Puras).

This Convent was built on what were originally three houses with a plot and a tower each. The Gutierrez de Cardenas family possessed the land in the Musalla neighbourhood which coincide with today’s Cervantes Street, Eusebio Arrieta Street, Sanchez Toca Street and San Fernando Square (today’s Administracion Vieja Square). The Plot covered the whole block leaving out the Diocesan School which has ceased to exist.

The Convent is made up of the Church, Cloister and the access area to Cervantes Street with a XIX Century Portal and the Cloister situated behind it. The Main Façade of the Church Convent dating from the XVIII Century is characterized by its so-ber style and its Baroque Portal and XVII Century Mudejar Tower. The Church is a boxed style nave with a beautiful interior; XVIII Century Baroque decoration highlighted in the High Altar.

> The Façade of Las Puras Church Convent.

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In the Cloister, there are remains of Gothic style Portal in the cemetery and four salomonic reta-bles covered with paradise birds that were re-formed in the XVIII and XIX Centuries. One of the chapels of the Church is named after the founder of the Convent Santa Beatriz. This is the Chapel Mausoleum of the Family of Jesus de Perceval. The Cratícula (barred window) is situated under the choir, it is an old oratorio from where the nuns acceded to be given communion through an annexed door. The Church is decorated with paintings of the Virgen Mary except the Angus-tias which is of a different theme; the paintings are of the XVIII Century painter from Lorca, An-tonio Garcia.Cervantes Street (entrance to the Convent) and General Castaños Street, corner to José Ángel Valente Street (entrance to Church). 04003 Almeria.Tel.: 950 238 906Open: Monday to Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Las Claras Church ConventEl Real Monasterio of Santa Clara (Royal Monas-tery of Saint Clair) first appeared in the Last Will and Testament of Jeronimo Briceño de Mendoza in 1590. The works began in 1719 and only fin-ished in 1756 due to economic difficulties. Once the works were finished, the nuns occupied the Convent. The plot originally occupied the Consti-tution Square, Mariana Street and Marin Street to the interSection with Lectoral Sirvent Street. The inauguration of Jovellanos Street in the gar-den area of the Convent gave way to the creation of a new façade (main one) and the elimination of the garden area and the Convent infirmary. The modification of the Constitution Square between 1824 and 1846 provoked the disap-

> The Portal of Las Claras Church Convent.

pearance of the Main Façade of the Convent and adoption of the same architectural style of the Square.

The Convent has gone through different vicis-situdes: the first transformation in 1811 when Jovellanos Street was inaugurated facing the Convent’s garden in 1837, the Desamortizacion Law converted the Convent into the Civil Gov-ernment and the Local Provincial Government Building, therefore the nuns had to move to Las Puras Convent; and the Convent being set afire in tragic circumstances during the Civil War where

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Main Portal overlooking Hernan Cortes Street, crowned by the Church Tower and a Lateral Portal (due to its beauty, it is considered as the Main one ) decorated in Renaissance style with a relief of Santiago Matamoros (St. James the Moor slayer).Tiendas Street, 04003 AlmeriaTel.: 950 237 120Open: Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 12 am and from de 6 pm to 7 pm.

MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED PEOPLE

San Roque ChurchThe Church, blessed in 1893, is located in the Old Aljibe neighbourhood (today’s Pescaderia-

only the Church remained intact. The Convent had to be rebuilt during the post-war

The Portal of the Main Façade at Jovellanos Street has an semi-circular arch with entwined mouldings framed between two half columns over a plinth that hold a entablature crowned by a curved moulding which holds the vaulted niche with the image of Saint Clair. The lateral Portal at Mariana Street has a more sober style.Jovellanos Street, 04003 AlmeriaTel.: 950 234 692Open: Monday to Sunday from 6 pm to 6:30 pm. Summer: Monday to Sunday from 6:30 pm to 19 pm.


Santiago ChurchThe Church, founded by the Catholic Kings in 1494, was included in the diocese division of the City, implemented in order to Christianize the inhabitants.

The Building, designed by Juan de Orea under Bishop Fray Diego Fernandez de Villalan, was built between 1553 and 1559. The Temple in its first phase is of Mudejar style (Mudejar pertains to Muslims that continued living in Christian conquered land) due to the political urgency of the construction of the Church to consolidate Christianity. This made the quality of the con-struction of the first phase to be relatively poor. The interior of the Church contained Mudejar style wood-works on the ceiling. But all in all, the Church has a Renaissance structure. The Church was seriously damaged during the Civil War, the Mudejar wood-works and other artistic treasures were destroyed. The Temple was de-clared a XVI Century Spanish Artistic and Historic Monument. The Temple has two Portals , the

> Santiago Church.

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San Anton Chapel (Chapel in honor of Saint Anthony)The Chapel, previously a mosque, gives name to one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Almeria. Each year in January “rabicos” (pigtails) are auctioned and bonfires are lit in honour of San Anton.

In 1877, the Bishop Orbera organized a small convent in the houses adjacent to the Chapel to home the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent that were expelled due to State expropriation of the Convent. The nuns lived there until 1899. The Chapel continued being a public place of prayer and in 1908, a Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes was inaugurated and quickly became very popular. After being severely damaged during the Civil War, the Diocese of San Juan Evangelista was establishedSan Antón Street. 04002 Almeria.

La Chanca). The structure of the Church has clear Neoclassical influences in a general Classical ec-lecticism. The Tower, in the centre of the Façade, follows the Civilian architecture of the time, of which the Town Council building is an example. This model will influence subsequent temples

From this small Church you can accede down to Malaga Road through an elegant stairway. The Church has been renovated from the ground up several times, since it was built over the old mosque that belonged to the neighbourhood. From the moment it was founded, the Temple was dedicated to San Roque protector against the plague. The Church was redesigned at the end of the XIX Century and in the year 1900, the Diocese was founded. The Church suffered the consequences of the 1936-1939 Civil War. 3, Corbeta Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 275 108

> San Roque Church.

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> iron archiTecTure in almeria

Train StationThe arrival of the train to Almeria is essentially linked to the extraction of iron ore from the mountains of the interior. A cheap way of trans-port was needed to transport the mineral from the mines in Alquife (Province of Granada) and Sierra de los Filabres mountains (Province of Almeria) to the Port of Almeria. The Almeria-Guadix railway was inaugurated in 1895, and afterwards continued to Linares. This linked Almeria to the rest of Spain by rail.

The Old Train Station Central building is a beau-tiful example of Iron Architectural style used in industrial and functional buildings in the second

half of the XIX Century. Iron was used instead of traditional materials (stone and brick) because of its capacity to support great weights and cov-er large areas. Glass was used to cover walls and ceilings as it was very light and very appropriate for light-weight and open-plan constructions. The Main Façade, facing the Estacion Square, is a divided in three parts. The Main Entrance, built with the two typical materials of the time: iron and glass, has a huge monumental glass Portal over the Entrance making it at the time, worthy to receive the people of Almeria who travelled in such a modern way of transport. The lateral wings are made of stone covered by brick and glazed ceramics.

> The old Railway Station.

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El Cable InglésThe Mineral Loading Pier called “Cable Ingles” (literally the English Cable) is located on the Al-madrabillas beach next to the Levante dock and is linked by a railway bridge to the Train Station. The Pier was built and owned by an English min-ing company “The Alquife Mines Railway Limited”, which obtained the mining concession in 1901 and immediately started the building process.

The Pier is a masterpiece of the Iron Architecture of the beginning of the XX Century. Building the Cable Ingles was possible due to the existence of the Port and the Railway. The Project was eclectic but it introduced an all new architectural style,

using new materials such as iron in the construc-tion of the Mineral Loading Pier. The Cable Ingles lies on a beach next to the Port and is linked to the Train Station through a railway bridge.

The Cable Ingles is made up of two parts: the rails that link the Train Station to the Pier and the Loading Pier itself where the trains unloaded directly onto the ships’ holds. The railway linkage to the Pier is built on semi-circular stone arches fastened to the rails by huge iron beams. In 1998 the Cable Ingles was declared Bien de Interes Cultural (of Spanish Cultural Interest) for its his-toric, symbolic and aesthetic valuesPlaya de las Almadrabillas (Almadrabillas beach).04001 Almeria.

> A night view of el Cable Ingles.

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Central Market BuildingThe construction of a public market had been on the drawing board for some time. At the begin-ning of the 1840s, the Market was to be built in the Old Quarter to therefore conserve the exist-ing market at the Constitution Square.

In the second half of the XIX Century, the City ex-panded towards the new bourgeois Levante area (the east, El Paseo) and in doing so, the City’s

project to build the Market in the Old Quarter was cancelled.

In the El Paseo Prolongation Project taken on by the architect Jose Marin Baldo, there was a plot reserved in centre of the expansion area for a public market and fish stalls. From then on, several projects were forwarded but non imple-mented until 1892 that Antonio Martinez Perez was finally adjudicated the project.

AAMonument to ToleranceNext to the Cable ingles in the almadrabillas Park lies the Monument dedicated to the people of almeria who were victim of the Nazi Holocaust. The author is Mª angeles La-zaro Guil. The Monument was inaugurated in 1999 by the initiative of the last person from almeria who survived a concentration camp: antonio Muñoz Zamora; antonio saved his life thanks to another Spaniard, who filled in his admission file to the gas chamber with the word “exterminated”.

The Monument remembers the 252 persons from almeria imprisoned in the Mauthau-sen and Gusen concentration camps of which 142 did not survive. The Monument has 142 cement columns for each deceased person; the Columns surround a central sculpture which represents the forced labour that the prisoners were subject to.

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The future Market had an ideal location in the middle of the bourgeois expansion area between Obispo Orbera Street and El Paseo. The Main Fa-çade of the Market faces El Paseo through the pedestrian Aguilar de Campoo Street.

The Market, restored in 1982, has been con-served intact to our days. The Market Project was based on the Iron Architecture of the time as this material was used in most of the structure. The Base and the Pavilion of the Main Façade were made with masonry and brick and stone-work. The roof structure is made of metal and roller blinds and glass cover the walls. On the Princi-pal Portal at Aguilar de Campoo Street, there is a female statue carrying a basket of fruit symbol-izing abundance.

> almeria ThrouGh The cenTuries

Bendicho SquareThe Square, born under the protection of the Cathedral, is situated in the middle of the Old Quarter (the old Musalla neighbourhood). The Square was one of the favourite residential areas of the aristocracy from the XVI to XVIII Centuries. From this Square, the merlons and fortified tow-ers of the Cathedral can be contemplated. These elements belong to the Cathedral’s ambulatory, where on the exterior wall the high relief of the City emblem “Sol de Portocarrero” overlooks pass-byers. The Square is named after Juan F. Juan Leon Biendicho y Quelty who was born in Malaga in 1809; he changed his residence to Almeria when he married Doña Dolores Puche.

From the XVIII Century, The oldest house in

the City “La Casa de los Puche” is situated in the Square; an old noble family that arrived in Almeria with the first Christian settlers in 1494. The House structured in two floors, the first floor for house workers and the second floor where the owners lived. The Façade includes a Portal with a semi-circular arch over which the fam-ily coat of arms lies. The Balcony placed directly over the Portal has a very beautifully decorated railing.

Next to the Casa de los Puche on the same side of the street lies the XIX Century “Casa de la Musica” which has been restored and now is the Patro-nato Provincial de Turismo (Provincial Tourism Board) Building.

> Sol de Portocarrero, the City’s emblem on the Fortified Tower at Calle Cubo.

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The bust of the poet “Celia Viñas” presides the centre of the Square. Celia Viñas teacher and literate, promoted literature in Almeria in post-war Spain.

In the last days of the XX Century, Ronda Beato Diego Ventaja (Ronda as synonym to Street), was opened to the public. This Street begins in the Square and goes along the southern side of the Cathedral permitting pedestrians to admire the powerful walls of the Cathedral.

Constitución Square (Plaza Vieja)

The oldest Square of the City is a very unique and intimate place. Activities such as games, fiestas, bullfights, processions and other types of pa-rades have been held there.

In Moorish times, the Square had an irregular structure and was the main marketplace of the City. In Christian times, it will be known as “Juego de las Cañas” (game of canes). In the middle of the XIX Century the Square obtains its final lay out two-storey homes and arcades. The Square is slightly trapezoid and maintains the characteris-tics of XIX Century closed squares.

The Square is presided by the Town Council Building. The Building, finalized between the XIX and XX Centuries, has an eclectic style. The Façade is divided in three parts: the arcades with the semi-circular arches; the Main Front more elaborate, including balconies; and the third tier with attic flats. In the upper centre part of the Façade, stands a Tower with a semi-circular dome where the clock and Emblem of the Town Council lie.

In the middle of the Square stands the Monu-

ment to the Martyrs of Liberty. An Obelisk dedi-cated to 24 liberals who landed on the beaches of Almeria dressed in red (this is why they are called “Los Coloraos” (“The Reds”)), to proclaim liberty and the constitution against the despot-ism of Fernando VII. They were executed by firing squad in 24 August 1824. The first Monument, from 1868-1870 was located in Cadiz Square (today’s Purchena Square) and in 1900 it was moved to the Plaza Vieja until it was destroyed in 1943. The first Monument was made of stone and today’s Monument, rebuilt by donations from the citizens of Almeria, is made of marble. It has a great pedestal from which a column

The Watch on the Town Council BuildingThe Clock on Town Council plays the popular melody of el Fandan-guillo of almeria every quarter of an hour and at each o’clock the complete song.

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rises and becomes a beautiful Corinthian style capital, ending in a bronze sphere surrounded by spines or sunrays. This characteristic Monument is known as the “Monument” or the “Pingurucho a los Coloraos” (column in honour of the reds).

In the northern part of the Square lies el Con-vento de las Claras rebuilt after suffering a fire during the Spanish Civil War.

Culture CasinoThe Culture Casino is of today’s Central Gov-ernment Delegation Building. Originally a XIX Century bourgeois Palace was declared Spanish Historic Monument in 1982. The Monument is an example of the Historical architectural style of the time.

The Culture Casino, founded by Joaquin de Vilches in 1840, was definitively taken to El Pa-seo after considering alternative possibilities. El Culture Casino was established in what was the home of Emilio Perez Ibañez, who had been an important member of the local bourgeoisie in the Restauracion (political period in which the Bourbon Family were again on the Throne 1874-1931). The Project was implemented by Enrique Lopez Rull a very important architect of the time.

In the 1920s, different reforms were made in the Building; being the most important the works on the Dancing Hall and the Moorish decoration of the Arabe Hall.

The Casino was a place of cultural activities and round tables of conversation over City novelties, local industry and agriculture. Nevertheless, People also relaxed playing games, billiards and chess.

The Building was partially burnt down in the Civ-il War due to bomb raids and being abandoned. In 1940, the Building was restored but between

> Pingurucho or the Column in honour of The Coloraos at Plaza Vieja.

> The interior of the Cultural Casino.

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1950 and 1960 it was once again abandoned un-til the Junta de Andalucia (Government of Anda-lusia) acquired the Building through an embargo due to tax debts.

The Façade of the Monument is of Historical style with a typical bourgeois stone base structure, that holds a semi-basement and monumental Portal crowned by a balcony with Classicists influences. The Building includes an ample en-trance way for horse carriages and an artistic stairway hand-rail.Paseo de Almería.

Old Bus StationBuilt in 1952 and designed by the architect Gui-llermo Langle Rubio.

The Bus Station was essential for the City as communications by rail were very scarce; there-fore links to the towns in the Province and cities of bordering provinces were necessarily ad-dressed by road.

The Building is a good example of the Architec-tural Rationalism of Almeria which comes back

from the functional building models imple-mented during the II Spanish Republic develo-ped by Guillermo Langle. The Local Municipal Police Station at Santos Zarate Street is a good example. The Main Façade is a pavilion with a continuous window, forming long friezes and a marquee in the entrance with two columns. The Entrance has a concave form so it adapts to Barcelona Square. This contrasts with the circu-lar forms of the lateral shapes in the lobby that give the Building such a creative freedom that the Junta de Andalucia declared the Station of Cultural Interest.Barcelona Square.

Careaga SquareIrregular urban spaces in the Old Quarter gave way to the creation of squares during the XVIII and XIX Centuries. These squares were usually in the neighbourhoods of the more privileged as for example Carreaga Square, which is similar to a peaceful interior courtyard.

The Square is named after the Family Carreaga

> The old Bus Station.

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that owned a house and land in the area. Juan Ochoa Ortiz de Carreaga arrived with four war vessels to intervene in the War of Granada (up-rising of the Moors against the Crown of Castile) and finally set up his home in Almeria. Don Miguel Avis-Venegas y Careaga Marín Benavides was named Marquee of Torre Alta Y Vizconde de Careaga by the Carlos II. This illustrious family was formed by the blood of Christian conquerors and Moorish princes. The famous Calle del Arco (Arch street) takes its name from the Arch of Ca-reaga that communicated the Marquee’s house to the stables.

The Home of the Marquees “La Casa de los Mar-queses de Torre Alta” located in the Square was designed in 1847; it is structured in two tiers. It is a typical Neoclassical Bourgeois construction with Ogive arches as an outstanding and new element in Almeria.

Puerta de Purchena and Paseo de AlmeriaAll the City urban expansion in Puerta Purchena and the Paseo was undertaken in the XIX Cen-tury. Puerta Purchena, the neurological centre of the City, is situated between Carmen Square and Manuel Perez Garcia Square. Puerta Pechina, today’s Puerta Purchena, was the principal gate-way of the City that led to Pechina. The name “Puerta Purchena” was wrongly applied by the Christians as it should have been named “Puerta de Pechina”. The Gate and the most part of the Walls were torn down in 1855. The original Pu-erta Pechina Gate was framed by two fortified towers.

El Paseo de Almeria, together with Puerta Pur-

chena, is the City’s meeting point where people go shopping, do and talk business in the differ-ent cafés or simply go for a morning walk. Puerta Purchena was considered as an outer-wall part of the City and once implemented the urban ex-pansion of the second half of the XIX Century; it became an essential urban area.

The bourgeois expansion towards Levante (the east) in the second half of the XIX Century after the walls were removed converted El Paseo and Puerta Purchena into the privileged areas of the City. This Bourgeois expansion came in close cor-relation with the mining development and the commerce of grapes

Walking along Puerta Purchena and El Paseo we can contemplate many examples of XIX and be-ginning of the XX Century bourgeois buildings. There are individual homes and apartment buildings of which la “Casa de las Mariposas” (the butterfly house) in Puerta Purchena is a magnifi-

> Puerta de Purchena with a close up of the Statue of Nicolas Salmeron.

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cent example. This Building is known as “Casa de los Rapallo” (home of the Rapallo family) after its owner or Casa de las Mariposas due to its decora-tion. The Building was designed by the architect Trinidad Cuartara Casinello.

The Port and the Nicolas Salmeron ParkThere are no remains of the important X Century Port of Almeria. In the times of Abderraman III (X Century), Almeria was the base of Caliphate fleet and axe of important commercial ties. Through its Port, Almeria was in contact with all the Mediterranean.

In the XIX Century, the construction of the Port was a real necessity and a key factor in the de-velopment of the City. The works began on the jetty in 23 May 1847, in what was just an open beach. The exportation of grapes and afterwards iron ore were the two most important reason in the building of the Port.

The lead foundry owned by the Herederia family in Pescaderia accelerated the construction of the dock in poniente (west side of Almeria); while the Junta de Obras del Puerto (Port’s Governing

Body) took the initiative to build a pier in Le-vante (east side of the City) and the dock would be finished in 1906. One of the most important products exported through the Port was iron ore, of course due to the great importance of the Cable Ingles. This Loading Pier represents the ar-chitecture of its time, Iron Architecture, and the importance of mining in the XIX.

Today, the Port is divided in three areas: Muelle de Poniente (western dock) or fishing port; the Commercial Pier, where the ships dock and the Marina where the Cable Ingles stands. In honour of the visit of Queen Isabel to Almeria, the Royal Steps in the dock of Levante were built. From here, there is a beautiful panoramic view of the City and the waterfront.

La Fuente de los Peces (Fish Fountain) in today’s Marina Square is where the New Park built in 1940 in honour of Nicolas Salmeron, President of the I Spanish Republic (born in Almeria) begins and the Old Park towards Poniente ends. The Park was completely restored in the final years of the XX Century. Nicolas Salmeron Park has two fountains dedicated to sailors and to those beau-tiful mammals: the dolphins. The end of the Park

> A Panoramic view of Almeria at night.

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facing the Port gives way to La Rambla (Federico Garcia Lorca Avenue) which has been recently urbanized (end of the XX and beginning of the XXI Century). This new Urban Space has given the City an all new modern look.

The Palace of the Vizcondes del Castillo de Almansa (today’s Provincial Historical Archive)The arrival in the second half of the XIX Century of Academicists theories in Spain had an impor-tant impact on building precepts in Almeria. The popular and Baroque characteristics of local ar-chitecture, which were very often intertwined, were substituted by a new aesthetic intellectual trend: Historicism.

This moment of transition is best seen on the Façade of the Palace of the Vizcondes del Castillo de Almansa. This Aristocratic Title was bestowed upon the Almansa Family from Almeria in 1773.

The Palace is one of the most important exam-ples of Domestic Architecture in the City. This Palace was built approximately between 1773 and 1780.

The Façade, with entablature in upper area, is of two floors: the first floor is characterized by reg-ular open spaces and the second floor with bal-conies decorated with curved and split mould-ings, where the family coat of arms is displayed

Following Infanta Street, we come upon the Provisional Archaeological Museum with the monumental Portal of “Casa de Don Francisco Jo-ver y Tovar”, designed by the Municipal architect Trinidad Cuartara Casinello in 1894.

The Palace of the Vizcondes del Castillo de Al-mansa and the home of Francisco Jover y Tovar, mayor and chronicler, now belong to the Histori-cal Provincial Archive.Campomanes Street.

> Almeria’s lighthouse. > Fuente de los Peces (fish fountain) in Nicolas Salmeron Park.

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Plaza de Toros (bullring)The Old Plaza de Toros was situated between Murcia Street and Granada Street (where the “Malecon de los Jardinillos” stands today) and the Circus, near La Rambla; it was built in 1849. At the end of the Century, the local bourgeoisie had grown and therefore the Old Plaza was not big or comfortable enough for this growing so-cial class. A legal person was created with shares taken on by the main representatives of the local Bourgeoisie in order to buy a plot (Huerta de los Lopez, at the end of Calvario Street) and erect a new Bullring.

In public ceremony with the local authorities, the first stone was placed in 13 August 1887.

The Project, directed by the Municipal architects: Enrique Lopez Rull and Trinidad Casinello, was concluded in July 1888. The total capacity of the Bullring was of 9,054 spectators.

The layout of the Bullring is eclectic: the base is polygonal with 20 sides, three of them protrude forming monumental entrance portals: the Sun Entrance, the Main Entrance and the Shade En-trance. Over the Main Entrance there is an arch with a symbol of a bull head and the different in-struments used in the Fiesta. The Moorish influ-ence is felt in the in Moorish arches (also known as Horseshoe arches) of the second tier.Vilches Avenue.

> Plaza de Toros (bullring).

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Apolo TheatreWith the surge of the Bourgeoisie, more places of leisure and culture were demanded, therefore theatres such as the Apolo were built. The Apolo, built in 1881, substituted the Calderon Theatre located at Obispo Orbera and Juan Lirola Streets.

From 1880 to 1900, the Apolo was the City’s main theatre; there were plays, Zarzuela (popu-lar Spanish opera) and Opera. Opera was very popular among the citizens of Almeria and an essential part of the cultural life of the second half of XIX Century.

The Apolo was remodelled several times in the XX Century for different uses, such as cinema and finally it was definitively closed. It was not until 1993 that the Theatre was rebuilt, conserving

its semi-circular arches, protrusions and oculus characteristic of the Historicist style façades. The Apolo is today property of the City Council of Almeria.Obispo Orberá Rambla.

Spanish Open University Building (previously the Purisima School)The only school that survived the Desamortiza-cion law (expropriation of the Catholic Church’s patrimony) was the School run by the Purisima Order. Religious orders undertook teaching as a business after a good part of their patrimony was taken by the State. With starting a school in mind, a building was erected on a plot belonging to the Order, to the south of San Fernando Square ( Administracion Vieja Square). This Building has reached our days with a few a few reforms.

The Initial Project belonged to the architect Trin-idad Cuartara Casinello and the works were di-rected by the Architect Ortiz de Villajos; building began in 1885 and the School was inaugurated in 1885. On the Façade, there are Neo-gothic and Medieval elements: pointed and splayed arches with thin columns in the frames. The Building has a very characteristic courtyard and is today’s Spanish Open University delegation for Almeria.

School of Arts and CraftsThe Building was used as the provincial second-ary school during the second half of the XIX Century and a good part of the XX Century. The School was the principal educative institution of the City. The School substituted the Colegio de Humanidades (School of Humanities) which was located in the Convent of Santo Domingo since

> Apolo Theatre.

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1840. The Building underwent several reforms which affected the interior division and the three façades. The Façade situated to the south (General Tamayo Street ) was restored in 1889 as it was in ruinous state since 1889.

The composition of the Building is similar to the original layout of the Puras School with the same open spaces, splayed arches and columns on frames. This contrasts with the second floor which is completely different, full of eclectic Classicists elements.

The School Courtyard belongs to the old XVIII Century Santo Domingo Convent and today used for art exhibitions and cultural activities. The Cloister was restored in the XVIII Century and the third floor is of recent construction.1 Pablo Cazard Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 156 158

Open: September to June: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 10 pm; July: from 9 am to 2 pm; August: closed.

Palace of the Marqueses de Cabra (today’s Municipal Historic Archive)The Palace belonged to the Marqueses de Cabra (Family from Cordoba), it is one of the best ex-amples of aristocratic buildings in the Neoclassic Period. The Building is one of the most monu-mental and purest examples of middle of the XIX Century Classicism which has been restored. The Palace out stands for its size and the Historicist elements on the Portal and half Tuscan columnsCampoamor Square.

Diputación Provincial (old Palace and home belonging to Juan Lirola)The Building, housing the Diputacion Provincial (Provincial Government), is a bourgeois house

> Interior courtyard of the Arts and Crafts School.

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belonging to Don Juan Lirola, a very influential liberal politician. The Building was enlarged in 1884 by the architect Trinidad Cuartara Cass-inello. The first project was studied to be on the corner of Reyes Catolicos and Navarro Rodrigo Streets.

The Building, of great relevance, is a two tier building. The Façade at Reyes Catolicos Street is of highly finished ashlar masonry, stone laid in straight courses. In the second Tier, the Façade is of red brick, with clear light-coloured masonry on windows and balconies with mouldings with reliefs of female heads in the centre. On the corner of Navarro Rodrigo and Reyes Catolicos Streets, a windowed balcony with a beautiful railing (decorated with curve and geometric ele-ments) held by powerful cantilevers. In the in-terior of the Building, there is a wonderful Patio de luces (a mixture between a light well and an interior courtyard) where exhibitions and official acts are conducted. The Building is of an Eclectic tendency.Navarro Rodrigo Street.

Celia Viñas High SchoolThe first High School in Almeria was founded in 1849 in today’s Arts and Crafts School. The Build-ing in that time was too small for the number of students and the growing educative needs of the time, therefore the Director of the School, Francisco Saiz Sanz moved the School to today’s location at Javier Sanz Street, the old Arts and Crafts School.

The Building, erected in 1911, played an impor-tant part in the education of a great quantity of citizens of the City. At the beginning, it was a

mixed gender School, until 1966 when Nicolas Salmeron High School was built as a male only institution in Ciudad Jardin (neighbourhood in the beach area).

The female students’ entrance was at La Rambla and they occupied the third floor of the Building and used the terrace as playground and gym-nasium. The male students used the first two floors, the patio and the gym.

The Building became part of a long cultural tra-dition: it was an important library and the first Archaeological Museum of Almeria with two ex-hibition halls. The School was named after Celia Viñas, an important poet who also promoted the general cultural life of the City in post-war Spain.

The Building is an example of Historicism style architecture, more specifically Neoacademicism which is reflected on its main Façade: very mon-umental with Classicist elements such as great pilasters, high base, big portal and open spaces and a monumental stairway that accesses the first floor.Javier Sanz Street.

Círculo Mercantil (local Mercantile Association) and Cervantes TheatreThe Circulo Mercantil was founded between 1887 and 1899, the Association shared the Building with the Ateneo (bourgeois cultural as-sociation) at San Pedro Square. Afterwards both Associations would take on separate locations. The President of the Circulo Mercantil in the sec-ond half of the XIX Century was Ramon Orozco, who belonged to an important and successful family dedicated to the mining business in the second half of the XIX Century in Almeria. In

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1990, the Association moved to Principe Prom-enade and in 1904 to San Pedro again Square. Finally in 1920, the Circulo Mercantil established itself in what is today’s location in the Cervantes Theatre at The Paseo.

The Association organizes all kinds of cultural activities (literature, painting exhibitions, car-nival balls and New Year’s Eve celebrations). The interiors were decorated in 1920. The Circulo Mercantil had a great impact on the economy of the City as it debated and addressed all the is-sues pertaining to the development of Almeria: railways, port and technical improvements in mining and agriculture.

The Cervantes Theatre Façade overlooking El Paseo is dated from the end of the XIX and be-ginning of the XX Centuries. The Façade is clearly of Monumental style with elements such as big semi-circular arches, balconies with balustrade, stylized forms of Modernist and Naturalist in-spiration such as sunflower shaped lamps. The Façade also includes figurative designs and el-ements such as lyres, masks and a relief of Cer-vantes.

The Cervantes Theatre is one of the longest projects to implement that Almeria has had in modern times (end of the XIX Century). The works started in 1866 together with the license permission from the Town Council. After a prom-ising beginning, the construction stopped in 1898, when the architect Enrique Rull designed the final blueprints of what is the Building today. Works were not renewed until 1910 and finally the Theatre was inaugurated in 1921.Paseo de Almeria.

Centro de Arte Museo de Almeria (Modern Art Museum of Almeria)The Building which was previously the old pre-ventorium Niño Jesus, is made up of two differ-ent constructions: a one family chalet belonging to Jose Batles from 1927 and reformed in 1943 and the galleries and premises promoted by the National Anti-tuberculosis Patronage in 1944. In this way, the Chalet reached the end of Nuestra Señora de Montserrat Avenue. The Galleries, opened towards the garden, held the dormito-ries of the boys in the first floor and the dormi-tories of the girls in the upper floor. The Chalet was the administrative centre and clinic of the Preventorium. The Building was closed in 1966.

> City Town Council Building, previously Almeria’s old Preventorium.

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Only the Chalet remains, which is of regional tra-ditional style from the architect Guillermo Lan-gle Rubio. An annex to the Building was added to house the Centro de Artes Museo de Almeria. The Museum, inaugurated in 1998, belongs to the Cultural Department of the Town Council.Carlos Cano, Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 269 680Open: Mondays from 18h to 21h, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm and 6pm to 9 pm, Sundays y holidays from 11 am to 2 pm.

BUILDING ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED PEOPLE

Plaza de las Flores (The Flowers Square)This Square, which used to be a flower market, is surrounded by a hotel complex and its name originates in a flower market that used to take place there. The Square is presided by a unique Neo-baroque bourgeois multifamily building designed by Guillermo Langle Rubio and fin-ished 1926.

La Casa del Cine (The Home of Cinema)The Building is a cortijo (typical local rural house) from 1866. It is a typical bourgeois home built on the outskirts of the City. The Town Coun-cil restored the Building and converted it into a cinema museum, in this way paying homage to the splendour of the cinema industry in Almeria. John Lennon lived some months in this Cortijo. The interior is a museum: a great home for cine-ma.2, Camino Romero Street, 04009 Almeria.Open: Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Spanish Civil War Bomb SheltersUnderground galleries, nine metres below the surface, designed by the architect Guillermo Langle Rubio, in order to save human lives from the bombing raids that took place. The City has recovered close to 1 km of the 4.5 kilometres of galleries. The kilometre of Galleries recovered coincides with El Paseo. The Galleries have recre-ated some of the interior spaces of the time: food storage room, the refuge belonging to Guillermo Langle and a surgery room. The Shelters began to be designed in 1936 and the construction took place in 1937 and finished in 1938. The Galleries were restored by the Town Council and now have become the biggest shelters open to the public in Europe.Manuel Pérez García Square, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 268 696 [email protected](Booking at a ticket office by telephone is essential; groups may book by email.) Open: Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 am to 2 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm.

MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED PEOPLE

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AAAlmeria: 52 bomb raids, 754 bombsThe Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked the history of the Country deeply and although almeria did not live the War directly (it was the last City to be in republican hands), the City did suffer air and sea bombardments: 52 raids aimed at military, strategic and even civilian objectivesThe most terrible raid happened in 31 May 1937, when a German fleet opened fire on the City: 40 dead, 150 injured and 200 buildings destroyed.due to the raids, the citizens of almeria decided to collaborate together to build underground bomb shelters to protect themselves from the raids. Almeria became a real “Guernica” but without a historic or political revision over the matter.

AAA space for lifeFrom October 1936 to Spring 1938, the municipal architect Guillermo Langle, the civil Engi-neer Jose Fornieles and the mining Engineer Carlos Fernandez directed the construction of 4.5 kilometres of nine metres deep subterranean galleries with 67 entrances for a total capacity of 34,144 people (almeria had 50,000 inhabitants at that time). The rest of the population took shelter in the iron mineral depots of the Compañia andaluza de Minas (andalusian mine company) and in the caves in La Chanca neighbourhood.

Langle had it all thought out. The ventilation tubes made of asbestos had a diameter of 100 millimetres and were located next to the entrances. They were resistant enough to resist hand grenades. He studied the entrances and exits so that there would not be any avalanches of peo-ple and the same structure of the entrances would also act as a screen against possible hand grenade explosions. Langle used two copper wires for the lighting system and built a storeroom for supplies, in case they were needed, and also an operating room for the wounded.

Once the War was over, Kiosks were built to block the entrances to the Bomb Shelters. Langle designed these kiosks following a rational archectural design. These Kiosks are now part of the street furniture of the City and are located in Urrutia Square, Conde Ofalia Square and Virgen del Mar Square, this last one has been greatly reformed.

The Bomb Shelters would not be used again, but the Galleries sit there asleep crossing the City as if they were the backbone of the City.

> Spanish Civil War Bomb Shelter

food storeroom.

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> museums and

exhiBiTions cenTres

Archaeological Museum of AlmeriaThe Museum, located in Ronda Road, is a mod-ern style building of recent construction, It con-tains important works from prehistoric to Moor-ish times.9, Ronda Road, 04006 Almeria. Tel.: 950 175 510 Open: Monday closed. Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9 am to 8:30 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 2:30 pm.


Centro de Arte Museo de Almeria (Modern Art Museum of Almeria)Located on the premises of a regional style chalet, clearly in context with the Train Station, it was built in 1927 designed by the architect Guillermo Langle Rubio. The Museum, recently built, is property of the Town Council of Almeria, it houses temporary and itinerary art exhibi-tions. It was built as an annex in the 90s to the 1927 Chalet.Carlos Cano Square, 04001 Almeria Tel.: 950 269 680Open: Mondays from 6 pm to 9 pm; Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm; Sundays and holidays 11 am to 2 pm.


Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum)Museum with a very functional architectural structure that houses temporary exhibitions of all artistic genders and its facilities are also used for conferences, symposiums and others. It was inaugurated in 2009 and belongs to the Town Council.Ronda del Beato Diego Ventaja Street, 04002 Almeria Tel.: 950 274 358Open: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.


Centro Andaluz de Fotografía (Andalusian Centre of Photography)9, Pintor Díaz Molina Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 950 186 360 Open: Mondays to Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

BUILDING ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED

Centro de Documentación de los Juegos Mediterráneos (Mediterranean Games documentation centre)Universidad of Almeria Library.Sacramento Road, 04120 La Cañada de San Ur-bano. Tel.: 950 014 105Open: Mondays to Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm and from 4:30 pm to 7pm.

BUILDING ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED

> The Archaeological Museum of Almeria.

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Strolling through almeria, one encounters numerous figures carved out in Stone and metal.

» SAGRADO CORAZÓN DE JESÚS (Sa-cred Heart of Jesus): Made in marble from Macael, it was made in 1930 on the San Cristobal hill (behind the alcazaba). The original Sculpture disappeared during the Civil War.

» MONUMENT TO THE MARTYRS OF LI-BERTY: Situated in the centre of the Plaza Vieja (Constitution Square). it is known as the “Monument” or “el Pingurucho de los Coloraos”. it commemorates the arri-val of 24 liberals on a ship from Gibraltar willing to stand up against the despotism of Fernando Vii (more information in the Section: almeria through the Centuries: Constitution Square (Plaza Vieja)).

» LOW RELIEF OF SAINT VALENTINES: The relief made by Jesus de Perceval, located in Campoamor Square, opposite the Palace of the Marqueses de Cabra. The Low relief is placed inside a monolith made of metha-crylate and aluminium; these two elements highlight the polychromatic rock of the relief. On the foot of the relief, there are a few verses from ramon de Campoamor, writer and the person the Square is named after: “it is proper of love, if it is real, to condense the World in one being”. One of the peculiarities of the Monolith is that it is surrounded by a low grill fence, where people in love introduce closed locks sym-bolising their relationship.

» STATUE OF BLESSED DIEGO VENTAJA: statue in remembrance of the Bishop and martyr diego Ventaja Milán, born in Oha-nes (almeria). He was the Bishop of alme-ria during the Civil War. He was Bishop of the City during the Civil War and beatified by Pope John Paul ii. The Statue is located in the Cathedral Square under the Tower.

» BUST OF CELIA VIÑAS: since 1984,

this Sculpture pays homage at Biendicho Square to the author, Celia Viñas Olivella (born in Lerida in 1915 – died in almeria in 1954). She wrote poetry for children in Spanish and Catalan. She was not very prolific but their work was considered in-novative and key in the cultural life of post-war almeria. The Writer studied philology in Barcelona and worked as a teacher in al-meria, where she arrived in 1943. She wed arturo Medina, a professor from almeria and lived very close to the inhabitants of the City until she died in 1954.

» BUST OF FEDERICO GARCÍA LORCA: it is located at Maestro rodríguez Espinosa Square, who was precisely one of Lorca’s teachers during his stay in almeria (1906-1909). This Square, before called Balmez, is where Lorca resided during those three years.

» BUST OF FATHER BALLARÍN: in Virgen del Mar Square, this dominican Prior was a prime contributor to the reconstruction of the Virgen del Mar Sanctuary, after it was bombed and burnt during the Spanish Civil War.

» STATUE OF JOHN LENNON: member of the Beatles who is remembered for his stay in the City during the filming of “How i Won the War” (1966). John Lennon resi-ded in the cortijo “Santa isabel” today’s Casa del Cine (cinema museum), where he composed “Strawberry Fields Forever”. The Statue, initially placed in Federico Gar-cia Lorca avenue (La rambla) is now loca-ted in front of the Cervantes Theatre in El Paseo.

» ALMERIA AL EDUCADOR: literally “alme-ria to teachers”, the Statue represents a tea-cher in class with his students. it is located in Juan Cassinello Square, also known as Edu-cador Square (in front of the Post Office).

» STATUE OF NICOLÁS SALMERÓN: situa-ted in the middle of Puerta de Purchena; it

AA Statues and Sculptures

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is a bronze Statue (author Lourdes Umerez 2005) dedicated to the President of the First Spanish republic (born in alhama de almeria).

» LA ESPERA: literally “the wait”, it is a bronze Statue (author Javier Huecas) re-presenting a woman dedicated to house work, resting a for a moment.

» THE GARGOLES: bronze sculpture ensem-ble by Javier Huecas. in front of the apo-lo Theatre, at Obispo Orbera avenue, the two characters in different positions: lying and sitting, observe the people who have come to the Theatre “they observe those who are going to observe”. The sculpture ensemble will be completed shortly with a third character which will be standing up and yelling at the spectators who are in front of the Theatre.

» BLOOD DONOURS: marble Statue that represents a drop of blood (author rodri-go Valero 2003) located at Federico Garcia Lorca avenue.

» EL SALUDO: literally “The Salute”, an en-semble made in metal by Miguel Moreno (1995) that represents a body of a man and a woman; located at Federico Garcia Lorca avenue.

» STATUE OF CHARITY: located in the “Park of the Sails” located at Garcia Lor-ca avenue, which remembers the victims of the floods of 1884. it is the image of a woman with her two children. The Statue also remembers the charity offered by the regent Queen Maria Cristina, who ordered the river bed (La rambla) to be channelled and homes to be built for the victims, cha-rity neighbourhood, the adjacent reina regente Street was founded in honour of the Queen.

» PUERTA DE ALMERIA: “the door of al-meria” located in Nicolas Salmeron Park is made of red coral characteristic of the reefs off the isle of alboran, which is considered as part of the Province by the citizens of almeria.

» MONUMENTO A LA TOLERANCIA: “monument to tolerance”, is dedicated to the citizens of almeria who were victims of the Nazi Holocaust. it is located in the al-madrabillas Park, next to the Cable ingles. (More information in the Section: almeria and iron architecture).

» STATUE OF ALFREDO KRAUS: in ho-nour of the illustrious Tenor, it is located in Maestro Padilla Theatre.

> Sculpture belonging to The Salute; at La Rambla, author Miguel Moreno.

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> cinema, TheaTre and shows

Cervantes Theatre and Cinema1, Poeta Villaespesa Street, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 237 0293 - Number of cinemas: 1

Theatre Apolo25, Obispo Orberá Rambla, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 269 268

C.C. Mediterráneo CinemasMediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria.Tel.: 902 010 173 - Number of cinemas: 10

Filmoteca Museo Arqueológico (Film Club in the Archaeological Museum)Ronda Road. - Tel.: 950 175 529Number of cinemas: 1

Auditorio Municipal Maestro Padilla(Maestro Padilla Concert City Hall)1, Alfredo Kraus Square, 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 273 002

El Morato Flamenco ClubEl Morato Street, 04008 Almeria. - Tel.: 675 525 460

El Taranto Flamenco Club12, Tenor Iribarne Street, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 235 057

La Chanca Flamenco ClubBarranquillo Street, 04002 Almeria.Tel.: 608 639 189

Antonio de Torres Flamenco Club 80, Real Street, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almeria. - Tel.: 605 366 986

ABNature

Nicolás Salmerón ParkGardens and fountains in the centre of the City in front of the Port of Almeria. (More information in the Section Almeria through the Centuries).

Saharan Fauna Rescue ParkAnimal Reserve with species in danger of extinc-tion: Dorca, Dama and Cuvier gazelles and Saha-ran Arrui. It has an Arab garden, recently reformed.1, General Segura Street, 04001 Almeria.Tel.: 950 281 045. Booking required.Open: Mondays to Fridays.

Parque del Boticario (Apothecary Park)It is the biggest garden area in Almeria, located in La Cañada (neighbourhood between Almeria and the Airport), it divided in two areas: children recreation area and the Park, with the Arab Gar-den, Rock Park and the Botanic Garden.Venta Cabrera Road - Viator. 04120 Almeria.Tel.: 950 389 7427 / 950 389 544Open: Winter: Mondays closed, Tuesdays to Sun-days from 8 am to 3 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm. Sum-mer: Mondays closed, Tuesdays to Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm.

> Gazelles at the Saharian Fauna Rescue Park. > Monsul Beach.

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Cabo de Gata Natural ParkAn unbelievable natural Paradise located only 20 kilometres from the City. A natural space with uncountable ecologic values, which when visited, one realises that it is the greatest natural treasure in the Province of Almeria.The Park, situated inside the Town Councils of Almeria, Nijar and the south-west of Carboneras, is the biggest protected and the most ecologi-cal relevant area in the western Mediterranean in Europe. In 1987, the UNESCO catalogued it as Biosphere Reserve and it is without doubt one of the most unique coastal setting.29.000 land hectares and 12,000 more sea hectares with dunes, flat sand areas, small and large coves, Posidonian sea bottoms and great diversity in fauna, old mining towns and monu-mental and archaeological remains which you will run into with every beautiful step one takes. This unique landscape throughout the Park from Cabo de Gata (the Village) to Pozo de los Frailes, Los Escullos, La Isleta del Moro, Rodalquilar, Las Negras, Nijar, San Jose, Aguamarga, etc.. and the

innumerable beaches: Monsul, Genoveses, El Plomo, El Playazo, San Pedro, etc…Torregarcia, Las Amoladeras, el Torreon de San Miguel and Las Salinas are some of the interest-ing places inside Cabo de Gata Park that belong to the City of Almeria.

> The XVI Century coastal defence tower Torre-garcía, was restored in the XVIII Century. In 21 December 1502, the Image of the Patron Saint of Almeria, Our Lady of the Seas, was found by the coast vigilant Andres de Jaen. A Roman fish-salting Factory and the Torregarcia Chapel, designed by the distinguished local architect, Guillermo Langle, are in the area. > El Centro de Visitantes “Las Amoladeras” (Park information centre for visitors Las Amo-laderas) with all kinds of didactical and visual information on the Park.Road ALP 202 Retamar-Pujaire km.7 04007.Tel.: 950 160 435 Open: Winter: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 15 pm. Summer: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm.

> Salinas of Cabo de Gata.

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> Torreón de San Miguel (XVIII Century de-fensive tower) in San Miguel de Cabo de Gata beach. > Las Salinas, with the beautiful scenery of the Albufera (wetlands) with all kinds of birds that can be contemplated from the bird watching centre. The Church of Las Salinas (1907) can also be admired, making the whole area very unique. Following the road, leaving the Fabri-quilla on the right hand side, you start going

up to the Lighthouse of Cabo de Gata, there is a beautiful and unique view of the Arrecife de las Sirenas (the mermaid reef).

Isle of AlboránAt 40 nautical miles from the coast of Almeria, lies the little known Isle of Alboran. It is less than a kilometre long with a flat landscape and con-tinually swept by eastern and western winds.

The Moors baptised the Isle as sea belly bottom and it is thought the Island was named after the

1.- Alias RiverLength: 5.200 metres / low difficulty / Time: 2 hours approx.

2.- Mesa RoldánLength: 1.900 metres / low difficulty / Time: 1 hour approx.

3.- Via Verde (green way) from Lu-cainena to AguamargaLength: 8.300 metres /medium difficulty / Time: 3 hours approx.

4.- San Pedro – El Plomo – AguamargaLength: 11.700m / medium difficulty / Time: 4:30 hours approx.

5.- La MolataLength: 2.500 metres /low difficulty / Time: 1:30 hours approx.

6.- Cortijo del Fraile – Montano – HornillosLength: 7.700 metres/ medium: 3 hours approx.

7.- RequenaLength: 6.600 metres / medium difficulty / time: 3 hours approx.

8.- Cerro del CintoLength: 4.600 metres / medium difficulty / time: 5 hours approx.

9.- Las AmoladerasLongitude: 5.300 metres / low difficulty / time: 3 hours approx.

10.- Caldera de Majada RedondaLength: 2.600 metres / low difficulty / time: 1:30 hours approx.

11.- Escullos – Isleta del MoroLength: 1.400 metres / low difficulty / time: 45 min approx.

12.- Escullos – Pozo de los FrailesLength: 5.000 metres /low difficulty / time: 2:30 hours approx.

13.- Loma PeladaLength: 6.300 metres / low difficulty / time: 3:30h approx.

14.- El Pocico - Las MarinasLength: 6.300 metres / low difficulty / time: 3 hours approx.

15.- Los GenovesesLength: 2.300 metres / low difficulty / time: 1:30 hour approx.

16.- Vela BlancaLength: 3.400 metres / low difficulty / time: 2 hours approx.

AA Paths for discovering the Natural Park Cabo de Gata

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Moorish pirate from Almeria Al-Borani. He is said to have taken refuge in the Island where legend says he hid his treasures. There are some botanic jewels and the rare seagull, Audouin, and in its sea bottom, all the riches of the Sea. Today, the Island is considered a natural marine and fishing reserve.

ABEl ToyoThe land where the Toyo is located is near Cabo de Gata Park; it was urbanised in 2005 for the Mediterranean Games to build the Olympic Villa where all the athletes and other members of the

delegations were housed. One of the symbols of the Event was the Acebuche (olive tree variety) standing near the Plaza del Mar (sea square), it is centennial tree symbolising the union of peo-ples.

El Toyo has a great number of facilities to offer to visitors and residents alike: a highly modern hospital, a school, many garden areas, for ex. Alboran Park, many luxury hotels and a great golf course. The beaches with wooden foot-bridges and observation points have quality cer-tification. From here, you can accede to the XVIII Century Casa Fuerte de la Cruceta.

Next to El Toyo lies the commuter and tourist neighbourhood Retamar.

> Typical landscape of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.

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ABBeachesAlmeria is usually awarded between 10 and 12 Blue Flags each year.

Kl La Fabriquilla or El Corralete It is the last Beach before entering Nijar, it is a very calm for swimmers and sunbathers.

Km La Almadraba de MontelevaThis sandy Beach belongs to Almadraba de Mon-televa, it is located just after the Las Salinas de Cabo de Gata beach.

Kn Las Salinas de Cabo de GataThis Beach with marvellous sand is near the wetlands where there are many interesting bird species.

Ko San Miguel de Cabo de GataAn excellent Blue Flag beach surrounded by a natural environment with many facilities.

Kp Las AmoladerasProtected Beach inside the perimetre of the Cabo de Gata Park.

Kq TorregarcíaThe Torregarcia Beach which obviously receives its name from the coastal defensive tower: Torre-garcia limits with the Natural Park Cabo de Gata.

Kr RetamarBeach at the Retamar urbanisation has all the necessary facilities for a beach dedicated to tour-ism.

Ks El ToyoBeach at the El Toyo, a new urban expansion area next to the Cabo de Gata Park.

Kt El Perdigal or El AlquiánA virgin and tranquil Beach.

KlKm

Kn

Ko

Kp

KqKrKs

KtLk

LlLm

LnLo

LpLq

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

ANDARAX RIVERThe chapel of Torregarcia

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Lk CostacabanaCosta Cabana Beach receives its name from this unique urbanisation called Costa Cabana. The Beach has all the facilities necessary for tourism.Ll El Bobar or La Cañada - Almería.Beach used for sports fishing.Lm Nueva Almería - Almería.Beach which is next to San Miguel beach, it has all the facilities of an urban beach.Ln San Miguel or Las Conchas - AlmeríaUrban Beach completely fitted with all the nec-essary services and infrastructures to be attrac-tive for tourism.Lo Las Olas - Almería.Beach next to the fishing port.Lp San Telmo - Almería.Beach next to the lighthouse of San Telmo.Lq La Garrofa - Almería.Small Beach of gravel on which there is a camp-ing site and a scuba diving club.

BBBeauty and health

> ArAb bAths

Aire de Almería. Termas de Al Andalus4-5, Constitución Square (Almería )Tel: 950 282 [email protected]://www.airedealmeria.com

Balneario Alhamma Almeraya (Thermal spring spa)9, Perea Street, 04003 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 231 [email protected]

> hotels with spA

Alcazaba MarJuegos de Argel Street El Toyo Urbanisation04131 Retamar (Almeria) - Tel.: 950 20 91 [email protected]

Cabogata Plaza SuitesJuegos de Argel StreetEl Toyo Urbanisation - 04131 Retamar (Almeria)Tel.: 950 00 12 00 - www.zthoteles.es

Barceló Cabo de GataToyo Promenade, El Toyo Urbanisation04131 Retamar (Almeria) - Tel.: 950 18 42 50www.barcelo.com - [email protected]

Cabogata GardenJuegos de Casablanca AvenueEl Toyo Urbanisation - 04131 Retamar (Almeria)Tel.: 950 01 07 50 - [email protected]

Cabo de Gata Mar GardenJuegos de Casablanca AvenueEl Toyo Urbanisation - 04131 Retamar (Almeria)Tel.: 950 01 79 50 - [email protected]

> Almadraba de Monteleva Beach in Cabo de Gata.

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ABGastronomyAlmeria’s cuisine is imaginative, autonomous, varied and original. Peppers and the products derived such as pimenton are the base of a cul-ture that has reached our days. Pimenton is still served today in many restaurants.

> Tapas

Tapas are a culinary tradition in Almeria; they are free when one orders wine, beer or mosto in practically every bar in Almeria. There are a great variety of tapas: swordfish, rice (paella), marinade anchovies, fried squid, fried marinated dogfish, snails, grilled ribs, cherican (toast with many different toppings popularly pronounced as “cherigan”), potato salad, ratatouille (Span-ish: tabernero, pisto and fritailla), grilled shrimp, grilled cuttlefish, cuttlefish in sauce, migas (typical local dish), vaporised mussels, mojama (dried tuna fish), gurullos (typical local stew), trigo (typical local stew made with wheat), lomo en orza (conserved: ham fried in its own fat), grilled ham, patatas bravas (potatoes in hot sauce typical from Almeria), potatoes with ali-oli sauce (olive oil and garlic), bread slice with varied toppings (sometimes very sophisticated), pipirrana (octopus with olive oil dressing and finely cut peppers), patatas a lo pobre (softly fried potatoes in olive oil, sliced finely with pep-pers and onions), fried fish, ajoblanco (typical from Almeria: cold soup with olive oil, garlic, crushed almonds, sometimes accompanied with melon or grapes), and many more types of tapas.

Tapa traditionas the legend goes, alfonso X el Sabio (the wise) in the Xiii Century ordered that in the taverns of Cas-tile, wine would not be served un-less it was accompanied by food, so the alcohol would not go to their heads. The tapa (which means in Spanish “lid”) would be put on top of the glass so that flying objects would not fall in the drink. The tapa accompanying the wine would ge-nerally be a slice of ham, chorizo, or other kinds of sausages or cold meats and sometimes a piece of cheese. Therefore the tapa would be placed on top of the glass or jug as if it were a lid, but of course full of food to soak up the alcoholic drinks.

places to go for tapas:

1. Fishing port area. (San Roque Church).2. Around Real Street–Trajano Street - Cathedral

- Plaza Vieja. Reference: Fish Fountain (Nicolás Salmerón park).

3. Following Squares: Flores Square, San Pedro Square, Urrutia Square and Virgen del Mar Square.

4. Around San Sebastián Square - Puerta Purch-ena - Paseo de Almeria.

5. Around the Abastos Square (central market) and Celia Viñas High School.

6. Around La Rambla.7. Around Cable Inglés - Sea Promenade.

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> Typical dishes

MigasOld home-made dish, very typical of Almeria, as Migas are also known in Seville and Castilla La Mancha, but they are made of bread. In Almeria, Migas are made of hard grained wheat. Migas are accompanied with “toppings”: radish, her-ring or fish, blood sausage, chorizo, fried pep-pers and small pieces of fried pork fat. Migas are prepared in warm coastal urban areas when it rains and the weather is cool, so to add needed calories.

GurullosThe gurullos are an Autumn-Winter stew that is made in hunting season. It is made with par-tridges, hare or mountain rabbits. It is an artisa-nal pasta made with hard grained wheat, water and salt. Once amassed, thick noodles are rubbed

together by hand in order to produce very small grain-size pasta. Then the pasta is left outdoors to dry on a cloth to make ready for cooking.

PimentónPimenton is a typical dish from Almeria of hum-ble origin; it originated in times of need in Fisher-man neighbourhoods. It is a light, aromatic and healthy Mediterranean dish which is easy to pre-pare: first make the sofrito, lightly fry chopped onions, tomato, garlic and dried peppers (the dried peppers have been previously crushed with salt and cumin); secondly Separately, boil water in a pan with parsley, roasted and peeled pep-pers and fish and third add the sofrito and sepa-rate the pan from the fire, the mixture should not boil. This typical dish from Almeria can be served as a soup or with potatoes.

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TrigoThis is the most typical and emblematic dish in Almeria. It takes at least a day as the chickpeas have to be left in water and the shell removed from the wheat. Removing the wheat is done on the street lifting and letting the wheat grain fall. Once the shell is removed, it is boiled for half an hour, removed from the stove and covered with a cloth so that the wheat grains may continue ex-panding. The stew is made with a piece of spine, pig bones and tail, fresh fat and a hand full of fennel and blood sausage. There is also the pos-sibility of adding beans instead of chickpeas.Fish and SeafoodFish and seafood have always been present in Almeria’s gastronomy. With more than 200 kilo-metres. of Mediterranean coast, there is a great seafood variety: groupers, bogas, horse mackerel and red mullet as well as clams, mussels, shrimp, squid and cuttlefish. These delicious varieties of seafood become delicious “fritura de pescado” (fried fish), which is served in many restaurants in Almeria.Sweets and dessertsThe traditional sweets and desserts are still made at home and there are still many restau-rants where you can be offered homemade des-serts and sweets during high-season. At Holy Week, “borrachillos, “papaviejos” and “buñuelos rellenos” are typical and at Christmas: turrones, mantecados and alfajores.

BBWhere to eat

> RestauRants

> MediteRRáneo avenue and suRRoundings

Mesón Don Quijote RestaurantMediterráneo Avenue Commercial Centre - Tel.: 950 14 54 33

Entresabores RestaurantMediterráneo Avenue.Tel.: 950 14 53 90

Casa Gabriele Restaurant Pilarica StreetTel.: 950 08 74 13

Asahi Restaurant43, Profesor Mulián.Tel.: 950 14 28 14

Fuji RestaurantPeseta Street, corner Gaudi Square.Tel.: 627 31 85 42

Restaurant Hai ChengMediterráneo Avenue ( Argar Building)Tel.: 950 23 44 83

Kay Yue RestaurantMediterráneo Avenue Commercial Centre.Tel.: 950 14 23 48

Salsa Criolla Restaurant288, Mediterráneo Avenue.Tel.: 950 85 20 16

Yesca

4, Italia Street - Tel.: 950.85.45.45 www.yescarestaurante.com [email protected]

> Old Quarter

Restaurant La Encina16, Marín Street. - Tel.: 950 27 34 29

Gran Hotel Restaurant 8, Reina Regente Avenue.Tel.: 950 23 80 11

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Real Restaurant15, Real Street.Tel.: 950 28 02 43

Torreluz Mediterráneo Restaurant3, Flores Square.Tel.: 950 28 14 25

Catedral Restaurant4, Catedral Square.Tel.: 950 25 90 04

Casa Sevilla RestaurantRueda López Street (commercial gallery)Tel.: 950 27 29 12

Costasol Restaurant58, Paseo de Almeria.Tel.: 950 23 66 65

Lamarca Selección Restaurant4, Javier Sanz Street.Tel.: 950 25 94 48

Plaza de Cañas Restaurant20, Marín Street.Tel.: 950 27 18 67

Torreluz Restaurant2, Torres Street.Tel.: 950 23 43 99

Almedina Restaurant2, Paz, Street.Tel.: 629 27 78 27

Capitol Restaurant 35, Granada, Street.Tel.: 950 24 03 63

Cuentavinos Restaurant12 General Segura Street.Tel.: 950 23 97 72

La Sacristía Restaurant12, General Segura Street.Tel.: 950 08 39 73

Mesa España Restaurant19, Méndez Núñez Street.Tel.: 950 27 49 28

El Turia Restaurant6, Ricardos Street.Tel.: 950 26 37 68

Valentín Restaurant19 Tenor Iribarne Street.Tel.: 950 26 44 75

El Asador Restaurant14, Fructuoso Pérez Street.Tel.: 950 23 45 45

Ristorante Ritabella10, Conde Ofalia Street.Tel.: 950 26 34 52

Da Bruno RestaurantMartínez Almagro Street.Tel.: 950 27 72 09

Aljaima Tea Restaurant12, Jovellanos Street.Tel.: 950 23 29 46

La Cata Restaurant15, Concepción Arenal Street.Tel.: 950 28 27 40

> altaMiRa stReet & suRRounding aRea

NH Ciudad de Almeria RestaurantJardín de Medina Street.Tel.: 950 18 25 00

Bodega Lamarca Restaurant33, Gregorio Marañón Street.Tel.: 950 08 66 25

Chele Restaurant38 Canónigo Molina Alonso Street.Tel.: 950 27 36 80

Torresbermejas Restaurant19, Estación Avenue.Tel.: 950 22 30 84

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La Galatea Cheese Restaurant5, Altamira Street, (Cristal Building).Tel.: 950 25 94 09

Tagliatella Restaurant3, Ribera Almadrabillas.Tel.: 950 26 02 52

Jacaranda Restaurant1, Administración Vieja Square.Tel.: 950 24 54 68

Martín Fierro RestaurantRonda Road (next to the old Train Station)Tel.: 950 27 68 53

Dragon Restaurant45, Calzada de Castro Street.Tel.: 950 27 46 89

Gran Muralla Restaurant14 Sagunto Street.Tel.: 950 26 10 56

Hong Kong Restaurant2, Hermanos Machado Street.Tel.: 950 26 43 38

Internacional Restaurant5, Ribera Almadrabillas.Tel.: 950 27 27 24

Nan Kin Restaurant39 Altamira Street.Tel.: 950 26 33 83

Restaurant Shang – Hai170, García Lorca Avenue.Tel.: 950 27 14 06

> The sea fronT & surroundinG area

Club de Mar RestaurantAlmadrabillas Promenade.Tel.: 950 23 50 48

Chino Peking Restaurant7, Cartagena Street.Tel.: 950 23 85 78

Building Restaurant117, Paseo Marítimo (sea promenade).Tel.: 950 26 12 04

Restaurant Delfín Verde42, Paseo Marítimo (sea promenade).Tel.: 950 26 79 99

Duque de Mar RestaurantPaseo Marítimo (beach promenade) corner with Cartagena Street.Tel.: 950 23 12 74

Sierra Morena Restaurant 15, Bilbao Street.Tel.: 950 26 53 31

Veracruz Restaurant10, Jaúl Street.Tel.: 950 25 12 20

> cosTacaBana & Toyo urBanisaTions

El Mirador de Retamar Restaurant13, Paseo Marítimo.Tel.: 950 20 91 47

Taray RestaurantBotica Street.Tel.: 950 20 74 12

El Fogón del Toyo Restaurant14, Del Sol Street.Tel.: 950 20 83 20

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Manolo Cruz RestaurantBotica Street.Tel.: 950 20 74 03

El Lagarto Mejicano Restaurant61, Luxor Avenue, – Costacabana.Tel.: 950 29 27 28

> caBo de GaTa

Blanca Brisa Restaurant49, Joricas Street.Tel.: 950 37 00 01

Restaurant La GoletaPaseo Marítimo Cabo Gata (sea promenade)Tel.: 950 37 02 15

Morales RestaurantLas Salinas Cabo de Gata.Tel.: 950 37 01 03

Restaurant ParqueLa Almadraba Street.Tel.: 950 37 00 75

> ouTskirTs of almeria

Aniceto RestaurantAlquián-Viator Road.Tel.: 950 29 73 44

El Andaluz Restaurant6, Sierra de Gredos Street.Tel.: 950 27 14 74

Los Arcos Restaurant157, Níjar Road.Tel.: 950 29 76 03

Bellavista RestaurantUrbanisation Bellavista (Alquián)Tel.: 950 29 71 56

El Romeral Restaurant39, Ingenio Road.Tel.: 950 22 10 26

La Alacena de Pura González Restaurant32, La Marina Street.Tel.: 950 15 23 97

> Tapa Bars

Marisquería Alcazar2, Tenor Iribarne Street.Tel.: 950238995Closed: Mondays

Bar Bahía de Palma 1, Administración Vieja Square. Tel.: 661205959Closed: Sundays

Café Barea 2, Granada Street. Tel.: 950235020Closed : Sunday afternoons

Marisqueria Baviera10,Tenor Iribarne Street. Tel.: 950239658Closed: Sundays

La Bien Pagá Tavern6, Martínez Almagro Street. Tel: 629272627Closed: Mondays

Marques de Heredia Bodeguilla8, Marqués de Heredia Square.Tel: 950245683Open every day

La Borrachería Bar69, Real Street.Tel.: 625683319Closed: Sundays

Las Botas Bodega3, Fructuoso Pére Street. Tel.: 950234239Closed: Sundays

Burana Café56, Paseo de Almeria. Tel.: 950246283Open every day

El Candil TabernaUrrutia Square.Tel.: 950258821Closed: Sundays

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Plaza de Cañas Restaurant20, Marín Street.Tel.: 950273429Closed: Tuesdays

La Sacristia-Calle Mayor Restaurant12, General Segura Street. Tel.: 950083973Open every day

Quinto Toro I Bar6, Juan Leal Street. Tel.: 950239135Closed: Saturday afternoons and Sundays

Quinto Toro Ii Bar24, Javier Sanz Street. Tel.: 625683319Closed: Saturday mornings and Sundays

La Tahona Bar30, Reyes Católicos Street. Tel.: 950257088 Closed: Sundays

Tía María Bodega Selecta4, Gabriel Callejón Street. Tel.: 950246039Closed: Sundays

Torreluz Taberna3, Flores Square. Tel.: 950234399Open everyday

El Turia Bar Restaurant6, Ricardos Street.Tel. 950263768Closed: Sundays evenings

Casa Puga Taberna7, Jovellanos Street.Tel.: 950231530Closed: Sunday and holidays

Catedral Hotel Restaurant8, Catedral Square.Tel.: 950278178Open every day

La Charka Bar7, Trajano Street.Tel.: 669545421Closed: Wednesdays

Costasol Hotel Restaurante58, Paseo de Almeria.Tel.: 950236665Closed: Sundays

Cuentavinos Bar Restaurant 12, General Segura Street. Tel.: 950239772-950265660Closed: Sundays

Doña Lola Taberna Selecta22, Padre Luque Street. Tel.: 950273496Closed: Sundays

La Encina Plaza Vieja Restaurant16 Marín Street. Tel.: 950273429Closed: Sunday evenings and Mondays

Oasis 55 KioskManuel Pérez García Square.Tel.: 626003185Open everyday

Virgen Del Mar Kiosk1, Virgen del Mar Square. Tel.: 651980878Closed: Fridays and Saturdays in the afternoon

Lisboa Café Bar8, San Pedro Square.Tel.: 950261757Closed: Sundays and holidays

Me gusta tambien Bar9, Circunvalación del Mercado Street.Tel.: 659604651Closed: Sundays afternoons

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ABFiestas, traditions & eventsCarnivalsCarnival association contest in the Maestro Pa-dilla theatre. Carnival parade, and the carnival associations put on the show all over the differ-ent neighbourhoods and finally the Funeral of the Sardine.

Holy WeekEach year Los Pasos (similar to parade floats but with a Holy Week theme) are richer in decora-tion. Los Pasos outstand for their great artwork. The Almeria Holy Week Processions have been declared of Spanish Tourism Interest since 2004.

May CrossesThe Crosses are set up in buildings and squares (drink, food and music accompany). Crosses are successful or not depending on how much par-ticipation they receive and how cheerful they are.

Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Bonfires)

Local fiesta that is celebrated on the shortest night of the year (23 to 24 June) and coincides with the beginning of Summer. Bonfires are lit up all over the beaches and there is a popular verbena (feast) with fireworks at midnight.

Feria and Fiestas in Honour of La Virgen del Mar (Our Lady of the Seas)La Feria and Fiestas of Almeria (seven-day fair) celebrated from the second week of August in honour of La Virgen del Mar, patron of Almeria.

During La Feria different kinds of activities take place: sporting events, bullfights and the Feria del Mediodia (noon fair which is each time more popular) where stalls are set up in the centre of Town; equestrian activities and the popular pot-

tery contest. La Feria de la noche (night fair) is also very popular with many stalls where people dance and there is a lot partying.During La Feria, there is also a Flamenco Festival and a Folklore Festival of the Peoples of the Ibe-rian Peninsula and of the Mediterranean.

> local TradiTions

> On 26 December, Almeria celebrates the day of El Pendon (the banner), coincides with San Esteban. This Day commemorates the day the Catholic Kings conquered the City in 1498. The civic-religious Commemoration begins in the Plaza Vieja (Town Council Square) and then the procession proceeds to the Cathedral.

> Portal of the Feria of Almeria.

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> On the second Sunday of each year, the Romer-ia (popular pilgrimage) to Torregarcia is celebrated. The Procession ends at the Atalaya (coastal defence tower) where the Image of La Virgen del Mar was found (1502). A Chapel in honour of La Virgen del Mar was built there. > The last Saturday of La Feria is the day of the patron, La Virgen del Mar. It is a local holi-day and a sung mass is celebrated and a flower offering is made at 12 am . Citizens and visitors alike may accede to Our Lady’s Chapel to see the Image. > La Virgen del Carmen. On 16 July, the fish-erman’s neighbourhood pays homage to the Virgen the Patron of all fishermen. There is a procession that begins in the San Roque Church where the Virgen is stored and contin-ues on a fishing boat to open sea.

ABMain EventsTeatro del Siglo de Oro (Spanish Golden Theatre Era):In April the most important plays of the time are represented.

Book and Reading Festival (LILEC)Is celebrated in May.

AlamarMediterranean Music Festival which is celebra-ted in June.

Almeria Jazz FestivalTakes place in October. It has been celebrated since 1984.

Almeria en CortoInternational Short Film Festival which takes place in December.

Other cultural eventsReligious Music Festival, many plays, flamenco, dance and concerts take place in the Mu-nicipal Maestro Padilla Theatre, Apolo Theatre, Aljibes Arabes de Jairan and in the Centro de Arte Museo de Almeria. More information at www.almeriacultura.com

ABSportsMunicipal Sports Centre Distrito 6 Sport facilities for practising basketball, hand-ball, five-a-side football and volleyball. There is also a weights and fitness hall, climbing wall, Indoor swimming pool sauna and jacuzziBédar Street. - Tel.: 950 621 331www.pmdalmeria.com

Sports Complex Rafael FloridoIn this Complex, basketball, handball, five-a-side football, boxing, paddle, squash, tennis and vol-leyball can be practised. There is also a weights room, a tatami, a gymnasium, an Indoor swim-ming-pool a warm up pool, two Finnish saunas, two contrast showers and two vapour baths and a swimming-pool jacuzzi.228, Mediterraneo Avenue. - Tel.: 950 224 447www.pmdalmeria.com

Sports Complex Las AlmadrabillasFacilities to practise martial arts, basketball, handball, 5-a-side football, squash, tennis and volleyball are available. There is also a sauna, thermal area and two swimming pools (one indoor).Cabo de Gata Avenue.Tel.: 950 253 230www.pmdalmeria.com

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Municipal Sports Pavilion José Antonio SeguraSports Centre prepared for badminton, handball, 5-a-side football, archery and volleyballVirgen de las Angustias, (Araceli neighbourhood).Tel.: 950 621 340 - www.pmdalmeria.com

Mediterranean Games Municipal Palace Ideal facilities for athletics, martial arts, basket-ball, handball, 5-a-side football, sport gymna-sium, table tennis and volleyball1, Belladona Street. - Tel.: 950 332 007www.pmdalmeria.com

Costacabana Sports ComplexApart from having an indoor swimming-pool, there are other facilities for basketball, handball, 5-a-side football and two tennis courts.Garona Street - Costacabana neighbourhood.Tel.: 950 293 399 - www.pmdalmeria.com

La Cañada Municipal Sports CentreFacilities for basketball, handball, 5-a-side foot-ball and volleyball.Mar de la Cañada Street - C.P. San IndalecioTel.: 950 291 107 - www.pmdalmeria.com

Alborán Alboran Golf CourseThe Course, located in the new Toyo residential complex, is near the City and a few metres from the Beach and very close to the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. This Golf Course has 18 holes and is surrounded by a unique semi-desert environ-ment. From a technical point of view, this is one of the most modern golf courses in Europe.Aeropuerto Road km 12. El Toyo (Almeria).Tel.: 950 208 583 - www.alborangolf.com

Club de Mar of AlmeriaPlaya de las Almadrabillas (Almadrabillas Beach) s/n. 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 230 [email protected]

Estación Náutica Bahía de Almeria5, Sergio Leone Street, 04007 Almeria.Tel.: 950 101 [email protected]

> Spanish First Division match at the Mediterranean Games Stadium.

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> The Castle of Velez Blanco.

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Roquetas de Mar CityOnly 10 minutes from Almeria, Roquetas de Mar has a varied leisure offer: Aquarium Roquetas de Mar, is the biggest aquarium in Andalusia or the waterpark Mariopark.

MojacarMojacar is typical Moorish town which conserves its unique structure of terraces in different levels, corners and narrow streets. The most proximate weekend to 10 June is the day when Moros y Cristianos Feast (enactment of the confrontation between Christian and Moosish troops) takes place in Mojacar. This Fiesta is an important tourism attraction; it begins with the creation of the headquarters of each army. The events oc-cur relentlessly until the great parade on Sunday afternoon.

Los MillaresThe most important Bronze Age (2700-1800 a.c.) archaeological remains in Europe. It is located in Santa Fe de Mondujar about 17 kilo-metres from Almeria on a plateau between the Andarax River and Huechar Rambla. There was an excellent agriculture culture in the area, and it was also the first place in the western Medi-terranean to implement copper metallurgy. The population was protected by four lines of walls and a dozen fortifications; there is an impressive necropolis with more than a hundred collective burial tombs. To arrive at the Remains take the A-348 from Almeria city to Alhama and turn right at kilometre 141 in the direction of Santa Fe, then follow the N-324 (do not take the exit to Santa Fe), after 200 metres you will see the signs indicating the way to Los Millares.

AA Discover the surroundings

> Tabernas Desert.

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Tabernas DesertTabernas, a Spanish Protected Natural Area since 1989, is located 30 kilometres from Almeria at 404 metres over sea level with 2,000 square me-tres of desert. A desert environment with almost 3,000 hours of sunlight and without any vegeta-tion, it has been the ideal set for many films and publicity announcements. The following films have been made here: A Fistful of Dollars; For a Few More Dollars; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; King of Kings and a long etc... . Inside the Tabernas Desert area, there are many old west-ern village sets: Fort Bravo, Western Leone and Oasys Theme Park (which also has an animal reserve).

Karst en Yesos de Sorbas (Gypsum Caves in Sorbas)The effect of thousands of years of running water on the gypsum depression in Sorbas (Almeria) has produced a unique subterranean scenery. This incredible cave formation in Almeria is lo-cated in a sub-desert area with more than 1,000 cavities (some are incredibly spectacular) carved in gypsum. There are kilometres of stalactites and stalagmites of crystal rock that reflect the light from the visitors’ helmets. The Karst en Yesos de Sorbas Natural Park is an Officially Pro-tected Area since 1989.

> Panoramic view of Mojacar.

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The Alpujarra of AlmeriaThe Alpujarra of Almeria, at the west of the Province, are at the foot of Sierra Nevada moun-tains. The Moorish heritage of these villages can be seen through elements such as waterways, white-washed villages, sober Mediterranean Holm Oaks, vines and vineyards. In this trip around the Alpujarras of Almeria, you can visit villages such as: Alhama de Almería, Canjáyar, Fiñana, Laujar de Andarax, Ohanes and Padules.

Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural ParkThe Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park located in the extreme north of the Province, possesses a spectacular beauty. This Natural Park has magnificent thick forests, the best preserved in Almeria, important archaeological remains and paintings.

> The lighthouse of Roquetas de Mar.

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> The Toyo Golf Course.

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AA MapsAlmería City

ANDARAX RIVER

RAMBLA LAS

AMOLADERAS

RAMBLA MORALES

EUROPE

ALMERÍA

SPAIN

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ANDALUSIA

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Cabo de Gata

ALMERIA MUNICIPAL DISTRICTScale: 1/40.000

TorregarcíaChapel

Las AmoladerasPath

El Pocico - Las MarinasPath

Retamar BeachEl Toyo Beach

Cuevas de los Úbedas

Airport

La Garrofa BeachSan Telmo Beach

Las Olas Beach

El Bobar BeachNueva Almería Beach

CAMINO DE RIBERA

El Palmer Beach

PORT OFALMERIA

M E D I T E R R A N E A N S E A

ALBORAN ISLANDTo 48 millas

Bird Watching Centre

San Miguel DefensiveTower

Pujaire

San José

Genoveses Beach

Mónsul Beach

Pozo de los Frailes

Escullos

Isleta del Moro

Ruescas

SAN JOSÉ

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MÁLAGA

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Campo de golf

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Venta Gaspar

Castell del Rey

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PARK INFORMATION CENTRE FOR VISITORS“LAS AMOLADERAS”

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San Telmo Castle

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SOL DE PUERTO CARRERO (CITY EMBLEM)

LAS PURAS CHURCH AND CONVENT

PALACE OF te MARQUESES DE CABRA (TODAY'S MUNICIPAL HISTORIC ARCHIVE)

TOWN COUNCIL AND CONSTITUTION SQUARE

LAS CLARAS CHURCH AND CONVENT

THE PALACE OF THE VIZCONDES DEL CASTILLO DE ALMANSA (TODAY'S PROVINCIAL HISTORICAL ARCHIVE)

SANTIAGO CHURCH

ALJIBES DE JAIRAN (WATER CISTERNS FROM THE JAIRAN PERIOD)

BOMB SHELTERS

PUERTA DE PURCHENA. LAS MARIPOSAS BUILDING

JAIRAN WALL AND SAN CRISTOBAL HILL (VIEWPOINT)

SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH

BULLRING

APOLO THEATRE

CENTRAL MARKET

COMPAÑIA DE MARIA (SCHOOL, CONVENT AND CHURCH)

DIPUTACION PALACE

CERVANTES THEATRE/MERCANTILE ASSOC.

ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL

VIRGEN DEL MAR SANCTUARY

SAN PEDRO CHURCH

OLIVE OIL MUSEUM

CAREAGA SQUARE. MARQUESES TORREALTA PALACE

BENDICHO SQUARE

CITY MUSEUM

PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL (ROYAL HOSPITAL AND CHAPEL SAINT MARY MAGDALENE)

ALMERIA WALL INTERPRETATION CENTRE

SAHARAN FAUNA RESCUE PARK

LIGHTHOUSE

ANDALUCIAN CENTRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

OLD CULTURE CASINO

CHARITY STATUE

PORT

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TRAIN STATION

INTERMODAL STATION

JOSE BATLLES CHALET

MODERN ART MUSEUM

NAUTIC STATION BAY OF ALMERIA

MAESTRO PADILLA THEATRE

CITY MUSEUM

CASA DEL CINE (HOME OF CINEMA)

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Andalucian Government Tourism OfficeHotelHostelGuesthousesAparthotels

Youth Hostel

ParkingsHospitalPoliceCruise Ships

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> The Chapel of Torregarcia.

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tCity Council Tourism Office1, Constitucion Square. 04001 AlmeríaTel.: +34 950 210 538 - +34 950 280 748

www.turismodealmeria.org

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