Almeria, Spain tourist guide

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Almeria Rio Nacimiento

Taking the N.340 main road in the direction of Murcia, the traveller should continue until reaching the fork which leads to Granada. The village of Gergal lies 17km from the crossroads, next to a watercourse, in the foothills of the Sierra de los Filabres. The castle of the Count of La Puebla stands on a nearby hill and was built of rubblework during the 16th century, the same time the parish church was constructed. The traveller should continue along the same road (N.324), between the Sierra de los Filabres and the Sierra Nevada, passing over a rough landscape as Doña Maria Ocaña (20km away) is approached. To the right hand side, the Sierra de los Filabres runs into the Sierra de Baza, affording some very picturesque scenery.

Abla, 8km further on, is situated on a hill that forms part of the northern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. A visit should be paid to its outstanding Mudejar Church with it clearly Baroque influence. The town's people have become known for the making of "harapas", as well as for maintaining the traditional "seguirillas" - one of the oldest dances in the province.

Continuing along the same road but turning off towards the left, we reach Abrucena (4km away) where we find the ruins of a Moorish castle and narrow, steeply-sloping streets. La Roza, a recreation area set amidst pine groves, is about 7km from here and offers a full range of services (including a restaurant at certain times of the year).

A further 7km away we find Fiñana which has one of the finest Mudejar churches with a nave and tow aisles. It was built in the latter half of the 16th century and is dedicated to Santa Maria de la Encarnacion. Its construction is of high quality and is richly decorated. Fiñana has a thriving craft industry using esparto grass as its basic product from which excellent basket work is obtained.

After visiting Fiñana, the traveller should go back along the same road until reaching the crossroads which leads to Nacimiento, some 27km away. It is in this village, with its steep streets and 12th century church, that the typical "pan de mosto" (must bread) is made.

Returning to the N.324, a detour along a local road takes us alongside the river Nacimiento. The ten kilometre downhill journey takes us through the small villages of Alboloduy, Santa Cruz, Alsodux, and Alhabia specialises in basket-making and pottery. The confluence of the rivers Nacimiento and Andarax lies very close to Alhabia and is an extremely beautiful spot from a scenic point of view. After a further 6km we reach the turn-off to Santa Fe de Mondujar, a village located on a hill set among the mountains. It is from this point onwards that the typical features of the Lower Andarax area begin to appear. Here we find the Interesting prehistoric village of Los Millares, a significant example of the transition from the Neolithic Period to the bronze Age in the south-east of Spain.

The river Andarax continues flowing down towards the sea, passing by several villages. Gador produces oranges and stands between three hills. It has one of the finest Almerian churches, built in the 18th century. Benahadux has its Chuche district, located among palm trees and which has the remains of an Iberian settlement. Crossing over the river we reach Pechina, standing over the ancient and important Arab town Bayanna. Just a short distance away are located the thermal baths and salt pans of the Sierra Alhamilla. Tradition has it that the carbonic waters can make sterile women fertile. Long "chorizo" sausage can be enjoyed at Viator, 3km away, and a visit can also be paid to Huercal, a village on the other side of the bridge over the Andarax, which is just 6km from Almeria.