A Complete guide of Almeria City where you will find infromation about places to visit, to teast the traditional spanish food, places to sleep...

1. almería
in your pocket

2. 2

3. 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. 3
Welcome to Almeria

4. 4

5. almería in your pocket
AA
> index
pg. 7 Prepare the visit
Information 7
How to get around 8
When to visit 8
Guided tours 9
Emergency Info 9
Shopping hours 11
Credit cards 11
Health services 11
How to get to Almeria 12
How to get around 12
Where to stay 13
5
pg. 17 Enjoy the city
Art and culture 21
Nature 58
El Toyo 61
Beaches 62
Beauty and health 63
Gastronomy 64
Where to eat 66
Fiestas, traditions & events 71
Main Events 72
Sports 72
pg. 75 Discover the surroundings
pg. 79 Maps

6. 6
> Close up of Almeria’s Flag

7. AA Prepare the visit
BAInformation
Area 296,21 Km2
Currency Euro 7
Population 186.651 inhabitants (INE 2007)
Oficial language Spanish
Climate Average yearly temperature 18.7 º C
From major cities Madrid 544 Km Sevilla 415 Km Granada 166 Km
EUROPE
SPAIN
ANDALUSIA

8. > Telephone code BA How to get around
Phoning to Spain:
Getting around in Almeria is very easy. The Old
00 34 + local phone number
All calls to Almeria begin with the code 950. Quarter and the different neighbourhoods are all
in walking distance. To reach areas that are out
> Tourism offices
of walking distance, public transport is recom-
City Council Tourism Office mended.
1, Constitución Square, 04001 Almeria.
Tel.: +34 950 210 538 – +34 950 280 748
Open: Monday – Friday: from 9 am - 2 pm and
4 pm -7pm - Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
BA When to visit
from 9 am -2 pm
With more than 3,000 hours of sunlight per year
The City Tourism Board also has several informa- and an average temperature of 18.7ºC, Almeria
tion points situated in different areas in Almeria:
has one of the most privileged climates in the
the Intermodal Station (bus and train), the Beach
Promenade and in the Toyo neighbourhood. Iberian Peninsula. This makes Almeria an ideal
all year round destination. Our original and ex-
The Junta de Andalucia Tourism act slogan explains this to our visitors “Almeria,
8 Office (Andalusian Government)
Nicolas Salmerón Park, corner with Martinez where the Sun holidays in Winter”.
Campos Street, 04002 Almeria
Tel.: 950 175 220
Open: Monday-Friday: 9 am - 7:30 pm
Saturday, 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 Airport
Nijar Road, Kilometre 9, 04130 Almeria.
Tel.: +34 950 292 918
> Palm trees on the City’s Paseo Marítimo
(sea promenade).

9. BA Guided tours Indalcongress
35, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04007 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 15 17 24
The size of the Old Quarter and the nearby neigh- www.indalcongress.com
bourhoods makes them ideal to be visited on indalcongress@indalcongress.com
foot. The sightseeing train is another interesting
Meditecon 2002
way to get to know the City. 16, Hernán Cortés Street, 04003 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 25 61 31
> Guided Tours www.meditecon.com - isabel@meditecon.com
Guided Tours are the best way to get to know Mundicongress
the natural and cultural patrimony of the City 6, Doctor Gómez Ulla, Street, 04001 Almeria.
throughout the year. The variety of itineraries Tel.: 950 24 30 77
www.mundicongress.com
will take the visitors to discover all the charms direccion@viajessolar.com
hidden in the streets, squares and in the unique
sites of the City. P&S Congresos
13, Doctor Gregorio Marañón Street, 6th Floor
Information: Tourism office 950 210 538 Apt. 1, 04005 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 62 26 96
www.pscongresos.com
> siGhT-seeinG Train info@pscongresos.com
Itinerary through the Old Quarter and the Port 9
Thema Azafatas
of Almeria. 55, Altamira Street, Ground floor,
Information: Tourism Office: 950 210 538 04005 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 255 941
www.thema-azafatas.es
Starting point Emilio Pérez Square, next to Cir-
info@thema-azafatas.es
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
BA Emergency Info
> Tourism services companies emergency telephone numbers
Emergency telephone number: ............................112
Congresur 2001 Ambulances: ...........................................950 268 994
4, Santos Zárate Street, 1st floor apt. 4,
Firedepartment: ............................ 950 271 534 / 080
04004 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 08 92 98
www.congresur.es Seaman’s home: ......................................950 235 181
info@congresur.es Red Cross: ................................................950 257 166
Police Station: .........................................950 623 040
Contraportada Health emergencies: ............................................061
40, Montserrat Avenue, 1st Stairway, 2nd floor, Guardia Civil: ................................. 950 256 122 / 062
Apt. B, 04006 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 24 23 47 Guardia Civil (traffic): ..............................950 256 323
www.contraportada.net
Policía Nacional (urban police force) : ......950 238 200
contraportada@contraportada.net
Local Police Force: ....................................950 621 206

10. Guided tours organized by the
AA
Tourism Board of the City of Almeria
> MOORISH ALMERIA » Catholic Kings in Almeria
» The Medina. X Century Almeria » The History of Los Coloraos
» San Cristobal Hill. XI Century Almeria » Saint Valentines in Almeria
» The Alcazaba » Legends and Traditions of Almeria
» The Sea front.The Port » That Almeria
> CHRISTIAN ALMERIA > THEATRICALLY REPRESENTED VISITS IN
» Temples in Almeria SUMMER (JULY AND AUGUST)
» Barroque Legacy in Almeria » Almeria and Los Coloraos
> ALMERIA THROUGH THE CENTURIES: » Moorish Almeria. X Century
CENTURIES XVIII-XIX » Moorish Almeria. XI Century
» Stately and bourgeois Almeria » Catholic Kings in Almeria
» The Iron Mining Boom » That Almeria (XIX Century and beginning of
» Eliminating the Walls: Modern Era Almeria XX Century)
> XX CENTURY ALMERIA
» Almeria bourgeois
10 » 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
> Image taken from a Holy Week Procession.

11. civil protection BA Health services
Local Government: ..................................950 210 000
Government Delegation: .........................950 01 0100
Red Cross Hospital (public hospital)
Civil Government: ....................................950 759 000 196, Ronda Road.
Government Subdelegation: ...................950 759 000 Tel.: 950 017 400 / 950 222 222
Sea Rescue Service: .................................950 271 726
950 275 477 Hospital Provincial (public hospital)
San Luis Square.
Tel.: 950 017 600
BA Shopping hours Hospital Torrecárdenas (public hospital)
Torrecárdenas Paraje.
Shopping hours begin between 9.30 am and Tel.: 950 016 000
10 am and close at 20:30 am, with a break at
lunch time. The big supermarkets usually close Hospital Virgen del Mar (private
hospital)
between 9 pm and 10 pm and do not close Virgen del Mar Square.
throughout the day. Tel.: 950 290 099 / 950 217 100
Banks usually open between 8 am and 8:30 am Clínica Mediterráneo (private clinic)
and close between 1:30 pm and 2 pm. Nueva Musa Street.
Tel.: 950 621 631
11
Urgencias Bola Azul (public urgency
BA Credit cards service)
emergency telephone numbers Ronda Road.
Tel.: 950 017 206 / 950 017 207
4B ............................................................902 114 400
American Express .................................... 902 375 637
Diners Club ...............................................902 401 112
Mastercard ...............................................900 971 231
Tarjeta 6000 .............................................902 203 000
Visa ..........................................................900 991 124
Credit Card Protection Service ..................914 531 470
> View of La Rambla.

12. BA How to get to Almeria BA How to get around
Inside the City, moving around is easy, the distances
> By plane are short and there is a great public transport
The City is only a few minutes away from the service.
Almeria International Airport which is connected > By Bus
to various Spanish and European destinations by
Surbús
regular and charter flights. Tel.: 950 62 47 35
Almeria Airport www.surbus.com - surbus@surbus.com
Nijar Road, Kilometre 9, 04130 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 21 37 00 > cyclinG
www.aena.es
leiinfo@aena.es The following streets and promenades have bi-
cycle lanes so you may ride through the City or
> By Train and coach admire the coast: Federico García Lorca Rambla,
The Intermodal Station (trains and buses) con- Amatisteros Rambla, Nicolás Salmerón Park, the
nects the City of Almeria with all the towns and Sea Promenade, Ribera Path to the University, La
cities of the Province and to different cities in Cañada to the University and the Boticario Park.
12
Spain and Europe.
> Taxis
Intermodal Station
6, Estación Square, 04006 Almeria. Tele Taxi
Tel.: 950 26 20 98 Tel.: 950 25 11 11
Radio Taxi
> By car Tel.: 950 22 61 61
By car, Almeria is accessible on the Mediterra- > car renTal companies
nean coast by the A-7 and with the rest of Anda- Atesa
lusia by the A-92. 141, Nuestra Señora de Montserrat Avenue.
950 252 275 / Fax: 950 275 672
> By ship Airport: Nijar Road, kilometre 9, Almeria.
950 761 002 / Fax: 950 213 745
The Port of Almeria is an important fishing port, www.atesa.com
export terminal and passenger hub, apart from Telefurgo (van rentals)
being port of call for many cruise ships that sail Tel. 902 889 943
info@telefurgo.com - www.telefurgo.com
on the Mediterranean Sea.
Almericar
The Almeria Port Authority 17, Rueda López Street - Tel.: 950 234 966
Muelle de Levante Street, 04071 Almeria. www.almericar.com
Tel.: 950 23 60 33
www.apalmeria.com Record Rent a Car S.A
almeria@apalmeria.com La Mezquita Industrial Estate - warehouses 4 and 5.
Tel.: 950 273 575 - www.recordrent.com

13. BA Where to stay
> hoTels 4*
AC Almería
5, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 23 49 99
www.ac-hotels.com - acalmeria@ac-hotels.com
Alcazaba Mar
Juegos de Argel Street El Toyo Urbanisation.
04131 Retamar (Almeria). Tel.: 950 20 91 60
www.azhoteles.com
alcazabamar@azhoteles.com
Barceló Cabo de Gata
El Toyo Promenade, El Toyo Urbanisation.
> The Intermodal Station Façade.
04131 Retamar (Almeria). Tel.: 950 18 42 50
www.barcelo.com - cabodegata@barcelo.com
Cabogata Garden
Juegos de Casablanca Avenue,
Alva Rent a Car El Toyo Urbanisation, 04131 Retamar (Almería)
22, Alfareros Rambla, 04003.
Tel.: 950 01 07 50 - www.gardenhotels.com
Tel.: 950 237 747 - www.rentacaralvacar.com
cabogata@gardenhotels.com
Fualsa 13
Tel.: 902 666 333 - www.fualsa.com Cabo de Gata Mar Garden
Juegos de Casablanca Avenue,
Mapfre El Toyo Urbanisation, 04131 Retamar (Almería)
Tel.: 902 448 844 Tel.: 950 01 79 50 / 950 18 16 80
www.mapfre.com/automoviles www.gardenhotels.com
Avis indalia@gardenhotels.com
Almeria. Intermodal Station – Establishment 9. Cabogata Plaza Suites
Tel.: 950 621 712 - www.avis.com Juegos de Argel Street, El Toyo Urbanisation.
Autos Casado S.L 04131 Retamar (Almeria). - Tel.: 950 00 12 00
13, Pío Baroja Street, Ground floor. www.zthoteles.es - cabogata@zthotels.com
Tel.: 950 454 153 - www.autoscasado.com Catedral
Viajes París 8, La Catedral Square, 04002 Almeria.
1, Puerta del Mar Street, 04002 Almeria. Tel.: 950 27 81 78
Tel.: 950 620 575 - www.viajesparis.com www.hotelcatedral.net
Servirent & Servibus reservas@hotelcatedral.net
8, Avión Street, 04009 Almeria. Citymar Gran Hotel Almería
Tel.: 950 278 118 8, Reina Regente Avenue, 04001 Almeria.
Rent a Car Tel.: 950 23 80 11 - www.citymar.com
26, Horno Street, 04005 Almeria. reservas.gha@grupocitymar.com
Tel.: 950 270 327 Elba Almería
Clásicos RB Mediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria.
55, Altamira Street, 04005 Almeria. Tel.: 950 14 53 90 - www.hoteleselba.com
Tel.: 649 101 773 elbaalmeria@hoteleselba.com

14. Husa Gran Fama Costasol
Mediterráneo Avenue, 04006 Almeria. 58, Paseo de Almeria, 04001 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 14 50 39 Tel.: 950 23 40 11
www.husa.es - hgranfama@husa.es www.hotelcostasol.com
Nh Ciudad de Almería recepción@hotelcostasol.com
14
Jardín de Medina Street, 04006 Almeria. Torreluz
Tel.: 950 18 25 00 3, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria.
www.nh-hotels.com Tel.: 950 23 43 99
nhciudaddealmeria@nh-hoteles.es www.torreluz.es - recepcion@torreluz.es
Plaza Vieja Hotel & Lounge > Hotels 2*
4, Constitution Square. 04003 Almería
Tel.: 950 28 20 96 Blanca Brisa
www.plazaviejahl.com - reservas@plazaviejahl.com 49, Las Jóricas Street,
04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria).- Tel: 950 37 00 01
Tryp Indalo www.blancabrisa.com
310, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria. contacto@blancabrisa.com
Tel.: 950 18 34 00
www.solmelia.com - tryp.indalo@solmelia.com Complejo de Servicios El 21
Almeria-Murcia Highway, exit 471.
Vincci Mediterráneo 04130 Almería - Tel.: 950 20 74 20
281, Mediterráneo Avenue, 04009 Almeria. hotel21almeria@yahoo.com
Tel.: 950 62 42 72
www.vinccihoteles.com Embajador
mediterraneo@vinccihoteles.com 4, Calzada de Castro Street, 04006 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 25 55 11
> Hotels 3* www.citymar.com
Citymar Indálico reservas.embajador@grupocitymar.com
4, Dolores Rodríguez Sopeña Street. La Perla HR
04004 Almeria. - Tel.: 950 23 11 11 7, Carmen Square, 04003 Almeria.
www.citymar.com Tel.: 950 23 88 77 - www.laperlagithoteles.com
reservas.indalico@grupocitymar.com laperla@githoteles.com

15. Las Salinas Hostal Las Dunas
Almadraba de Monteleva Street. 58, Barrio Nuevo Street.
04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria). - Tel.: 950 37 01 03 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria) - Tel.: 950 37 00 72
www.lasalinascabodegata.com www.lasdunas.net - info@lasdunas.net
elmolesl@cajamar.es
Hostal Manolo Cruz
Los Arcos Botica Retamar Promenade.
157, Nijar Road, 157, 04130 El Alquián (Almeria).
Tel.: 950 29 76 03 - jjlc@cajamar.es 04131 Retamar (Almería)
Tel.: 950 20 74 03
Sol Almería
193, Ronda Road, 04006 Almeria. Torrecárdenas
Tel.: 950 27 18 11 13, Teruel Street. 04009 Almería
www.hotelsolalmeria.net - info@hotelsolalmeria.es Tel.: 950 14 27 06
Torreluz II www.pensiontorrecardenas.com
6, Flores Square, 04001 Almeria. pensiontorrecardenas@hotmail.com
Tel.: 950 23 43 99 Navas
www.torreluz.com - recepcion@torreluz.es 3, Iglesia Street, 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almeria).
> Hotels 1* Tel.: 950 37 01 02 - www.barnavas.com
Sevilla > -apartHotels
25, Granada Street, 04003 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 23 00 09 Apartahoteles Torreluz
www.hotelsevillaalmeria.com 6, Flores Square, Building, 04001 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 23 43 99 15
reservas@hotelsevillaalmeria.net
www.torreluz.es - torreluz@torreluz.es
> Hostals 2*
Delfín Verde > YoutH Hostals
2, García Cañas Street, 04007 Almeria. Almería Youth Hostal
Tel.: 950 26 79 27 Isla de Fuenteventura Street, 04007 Almeria.
> Hostals 1*
Tel.: 950 17 51 36
almeria.itj@juntadeandalucia.es
Maribel
153, Federico Garcia Lorca Avenue. > CampinGs
04005 Almería - Tel.: 950 23 51 73
www.hostalmaribel.es - hostalmaribel@telefonica.net Camping Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata Road.
Nixar 04150 Cabo de Gata (Almería)
24, Antonio Vico Street, 04003 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 16 04 43
Tel.: 950 23 72 55 - hostalnixar@hotmail.com
www.campingcabodegata.com
> GuestHouses info@campingcabodegata.com
Americano Camping La Garrofa
6, Estación Avenue, 04005 Almeria. National Road N.340, kilometre 435.
Tel.: 950258011 - www.hostaldealmeria.com 04002 Almería. Tel.: 950 23 57 70
Estación www.lagarrofa.com
37, Calzada de Castro Street, 04006 Almeria. info@lagarrofa.com
Tel.: 950 26 72 39
hostalestacion@hotmail.com

16. 16
> Panoramic view of the Alcazaba from the Fishing Port.

17. > San Cristóbal Hill.
AA Enjoy
the city
Almeria has an extensive legacy of monuments Arts and Crafts School, the Bullring, the Central 17
inherited from the succession of cultures and the Market, the Train Station and especially the Min-
riches of its history. eral Loading Pier.
From Moorish times: in the X Century, the Al- The Bomb Shelters, restored in 2006, are an-
cazaba and the remains of the Main Mosque other interesting visit. The Shelters are an under-
(today’s San Juan Church); in the XI Century, the ground gallery system, built to protect the civil-
City reached its maximum splendour of which ian population from raids during the Civil War.
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

18. Weekend
AA itinerary
poamor Street opposite to the XiX Century
Friday Palace of Los Marqueses de Cabra, present
History archive of the City. Continuing up
> Morning arréaz Street, you will arrive at the rear Façade
of the Town Council Building and to the Ad-
The Cathedral Fortress ministration Vieja Square where the UNEd
in the Cathedral Square, the Portal of the re- (Spanish Open University) is located in the for-
naissance Cathedral Fortress can be admired mer XiX Century Las Puras School and inside
as well as the Façade of the Episcopal Palace the Plaza Vieja (Constitution Square) where
opposite the Cathedral. The Cathedral is only the Town Council is located, we have the Mo-
open during Mass. The entrance for guided nument to Los Coloraos (The reds).
tours inside the Cathedral is at a lateral street Continuing to the City centre through Mariana
named after the great painter, Velazquez Street, we arrive at the emblematic Tiendas
Street. Street and finally to the XVi Century Santia-
Before beginning the tour of the Cathedral, go Church (Temple in honour of Saint Geor-
our advice is to go to the corner of the Cathe- ge). There is a pedestrian street full of bars
dral with Cubo Street to admire the emblem of next to the Temple where we can find the Xi
the City of almeria the “Sol de Portocarrero”. Century Aljibes de Jairán (water cisterns).
We continue on to the Paseo de Almeria and
18 Leaving the Cathedral by the lateral door at then turn left to Puerta de Purchena, what
Velazquez Street, turn right and go up the could be considered as the real City centre.
street, at the end of which you will be able to in this Square, we can admire La Casa de las
contemplate the lateral Portal of “Los Perdo- Mariposas, el Cañillo del Agua, the Statue
nes” (the forgiveness) and continue to the XVi of Nicolas Salmeron y Alonso and we can
Century Las Puras (Religious Order) Church also visit the Civil War Bomb Shelters ( Manuel
and Convent with its Mudejar (pertaining to Perez Garcia Square).
Moors in Christian land) Tower situated on a
typical street of Moorish descent crowned by Now, we take Granada Street with an interes-
the sight of the alcazaba overhead. ting variety of shops to Vilches Street, where
we can promenade through the market and
Strolling up Jose angel Valente Street, where admire the Bullring (polygonal base with 20
the poet’s house is located, we arrive at Cam- 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.

19. > El Toyo Sea Balcony.
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:
road to the Centro de arte Museo de almeria Shopping in XIX Century Almeria
(almeria’s modern art museum), where tem-
porary exhibitions are held. The Museum is you can go shopping in the City Centre and at 19
next to a building built in 1927, which is an the same time get to know some of almeria’s
interesting example of bourgeois architecture. past. Walking down El Paseo at the interSec-
Opposite the Museum and the bourgeois Buil- tion with the pedestrian aguilar de Campoo
ding, lies the Train Station built in 1893 as a Street, you can see the Main Façade of the
great example of iron architecture. XiX Century Central Market, an example of
iron architecture. Proceeding down El Paseo,
we arrive at Navarro rodrigo Street, where the
> Evening: Palacio de la Diputacion (Provincial Govern-
dinner with a flamenco flair at Peña Fla- ment Building) is located. This Palace encloses
menca El Morato (typical cave at Morato a splendid Patio de Luces (interior patio) where
Street, Tel.: 675 525 460) or Peña El Taranto temporary art exhibitions take place. Following
(aljibe de Jairan at Tenor iribarne Street, 20 Navarro rodrigo Street, we arrive at Obispo
Tel.: 950 235 460). Orberá rambla where the 1855 Compañía de
Maria Convent is located.
We take Obispo Orbera towards the Federico
SaTUrday Garcia Lorca Rambla an extensive park full of
ponds, fountains and garden areas. Now we
promenade down towards the sea to the Pla-
> Morning za de las Velas (Sails Square) where the Es-
discover the Sun of almeria at El Toyo and tatua de la Caridad (Charity Statue 1897) is
Retamar (highway in direction to Murcia). El located and on the opposite side of the street
Toyo was built for the 2005 Mediterranean is the unique Casa de Gonzalez Montoya
Games celebrated in almeria. The area has (1928) also known as La Casa Montañes
great areas to promenade or to relax; you can (“Mountain Chalet” pertaining to an archi-

20. > Spanish Civil War Bomb Shelter.
tectural style from northern Spain). Now we na Street, you will come upon the Sanctuary
finally arrive at the Nicolas Salmeron Park from of La Virgen del Mar (temple devoted to the
where we can contemplate the Cable ingles (li- Our Lady of the Seas), where the image of the
20 terally known as the English cable, the mineral Virgen, a Xiii-XiV Century Sculpture is kept. at
Loading Pier built in 1904). The Cable ingles is the end of Gravina Street, we meet real Street
linked to the Train Station through a railway and turn down towards the Port where we
bridge all the way to the almadrabillas beach. 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,
> Evening:
you will arrive at La reina Promenade, follow
dining out and enjoying the night life: restau- the street all the way up to almanzor Street
rants and bars in the centre of Town (between and you will finally arrive at the foot of the al-
Paseo de almeria and Garcia Lorca rambla). cazaba which is located on the hill dominating
the Medina.
To eat: Nicolas Salmeron Park, the Marina and
SUNday the beach promenade.
> Morning: > afternoon:
an inexcusable visit is to the Civil War Bomb To have a coffee, we recommend the Paseo
Shelters located at Puerta Purchena at Manuel de almeria- La rambla area and the Sea Pro-
Perez Garcia Square. Bomb resistant subterra- menade.
nean galleries which conservation, dimensions Visit to the City beaches
and importance make them unique in Spain
Booking: 950 268 696 refugios@aytoalmeria.es
> Evening:
Leaving the Shelters at Pablo Cazard Street,
Going for a walk and having dinner on the
you will find the Arts Crafts School with a
beach promenade or at the Old Quarter.
XViii Century Cloister. Continuing down Gravi-

21. BA Art and culture > moorish almeria
The Alcazaba
> a BiT of hisTory
The Alcazaba has 1,430 metres of walled pe-
During the Moorish period, Almeria reached its rimetre; it is the second biggest Moorish con-
maximum splendour, especially during the XI-XII struction after the Alhambra. In the X Century,
Centuries, after the fall the Caliphate of Cordoba, Abderraman III ordered the Fortress to be built
becoming a very populated and civilized area. after founding the City. The Fortress is structured
From this period, the Alcazaba is the most im- in three enclosures, the first two Moorish and the
portant legacy that has endured till today. last one Christian. Works on the Christian enclo-
After the fall of the City to the Catholic Kings on sure began after the Catholic Kings conquered
December 26 1489, Almeria fell into centuries the City in 1489.
of decline. Only in the XVIII Century did Almeria The Fortress is located on a hill overlooking the
begin to prosper once again and especially at the primitive urban nucleus, la Medina. In the First
middle and end of the XIX Century, as it had in Enclosure of today’s Alcazaba, there is an exten-
Moorish times, due to the mining business and sive garden area and Moorish Aljibes.
the cultivation of grapes which made the bour-
geoisie prosper. The Great XI Century Palace of King Almotacín 21
is located in the Second Enclosure. This area
Today, Almeria has a firm economy based on was made up of a public area, where today, you
tourism and agriculture (extensive greenhouse- can find Aljibes (water cisterns) from the Cali-
horticulture production). 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.

22. Al-mariyat
AA Bayyana
There are remains of human settlements, caiceria (silk market), the atarazanas (ship-
as far back as the Bronze age, on the hill yards) and the Zoco (market) stood.
overlooking almeria where the alcazaba is
al-Hawd and La Musalla were the religious
located. Before roman times, there are re-
and commercial neighbourhoods made up
mains of Phonetician origin. From roman
of independent nucleus separated by origin,
times, there are many ceramic remains from
creed and trade. in the years 1009-10, the
the i Century to more elaborated pieces of
Cordoba Caliphate Civil War began which
fine pottery from late roman Era (V and Vi
resulted in almeria becoming an indepen-
Centuries). This means that there were sett-
dent and thriving Taifas Kingdom. Jairan,
lements around the bay of almeria, which
at the death of Hixem ii of Cordoba, sieged
depended on an interior urban nucleus (Urci)
and took the City and almeria seceded from
and served as its natural port before the City
Cordoba (the Caliphate disintegrated) thus
was founded in 955. We can see remains
creating one of the Kingdoms of Taifa. Jai-
from this period in many parts of the City.
ran reinforced and extended the Walls of
The first reliable news referred to almeria go the City. almotacin (one of the successors of
back to the iX Century, in which abd al-rah- Jairan) surrounded himself with writers and
man commissions a group of yemmenies to poets in a small court of scholars.
defend the coast to impede Normand raids.
in the Xi Century, almeria was the most im-
22 Together with the indigenous population,
portant international port in al-andalus. Silk
a republic of sailors was formed in Pechina
of excellent quality and different varieties
(small village in the north of the City) which
was the most exported product. almeria was
thrived on commerce, especially with the
famous for its textiles and for having many
North of africa. Pechina grew and acquired
textile workshops. despite its splendour, al-
the characteristics of a true city which was
meria was not able to withstand the siege
named Bayyana and almeria was just a coas-
of the almoravides (orthodox Muslims, origi-
tal neighbourhood inhabited by fishermen
nating from the Sahara-Mauritania area) and
and merchants with a defensive tower to
later on, the Christian kingdoms attracted by
control the bay.
the economic development invaded the City
The defensive tower was situated on the in 1147 under alfonso Vii. in 1157, the al-
highest point of the hill where the alcazaba mohades (orthodox Muslims from the North
stands today, exactly in the third enclosure. of Morocco) conquered the City back into
The Tower gives name to the City, al-mariyat Moorish hands; these ten years of Christian
Bayyana the Tower of Pechina. after defea- domination produced an important econo-
ting a Mozarabe (Christians of roman and mic downturn.
Visigoth descent) uprising, abd al- rahman
in the Xiii Century, after the almohades, the
iii (912-961), moved the Capital from Pe-
Nazaries period began. The Nazari dynasty
china to the area surrounding the Tower
(last Moorish dynasty in the Peninsula) cha-
of Pechina and thus founded the City. The
racterized itself by continuous internal dispu-
Main Mosque was built and a wall was erec-
tes in which almeria was involved. Finally du-
ted linked to the Tower. The City was formed
ring the 1488 and 1489 campaigns, almeria
around a walled urban nucleus, La Medina,
falls under Castilian dominance.
where the Main Mosque or aljama, the al-

23. > The Christian Enclosure in the Alcazaba.
23
chapel devoted to San Juan, public rest-rooms, with three characteristic towers: La del Homena-
among other facilities. The House of Government je (of the homage), La Noria (waterwheel) and
or Palace reception area was also located in the La Polvora (gun powder).
central part of the Enclosure. The private quar- Almanzor Street, 04002 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 175 500
ters of King’s Almotacin’s Palace were located at Open: 1 November to 31 March, Tuesdays to Sun-
the top part of the Enclosure nearest to the Third days, 9 pm to 6:30 pm; 1 April to 31 October 9 pm
Enclosure. The only Remains of the Palace are the to 8:30 pm; Closed: 25 December and 1 January.
private baths and the only wall to be standing is Musalla Neighbourhood
the so called Mirador or Ventana de la Odalisca
When the Cordoba Caliphate disintegrated, Al-
(observation point or window to the harem). meria became an independent Taifa. A period
This Window contains a curious legend referring of important demographic and economic deve-
to a love story between a Christian prisoner and lopment followed due to the Cordoba Civil War,
the Kings favourite concubine. which provoked a huge amount of population to
Finally, the last Enclosure began to be built un- come to Almeria from Pechina in search of pro-
der the Catholic Kings after conquering the City. tection. There were also a great number of trave-
The Third Enclosure is a Christian castle inside a llers passing by Almeria; at that time, there were
Moorish fortress. It is made up of a big courtyard more than 1,000 lodging houses in the Aljibe

24. neighbourhood (Al-Hawd), today’s Pescaderia- continued through Obispo Orbera Street to Javier
La Chanca. Sanz Street and then to La Rambla towards the
The rapid growth of the population made the sea. The other Wall began in the fortress bulwark
newcomers build their homes outside the Walls, and went down Reina Street and divided the
therefore the Kings Jairan and Zuhayr expanded Medina from la Musalla.
the Walls to the east to envelop the settlements The Musalla was the main market place; it in-
and in this way, create the Musalla neighbour- cluded today’s Plaza Vieja, that was an area
hood (the oratory). full of bazars and taverns. The most important
streets were Real Street of Pechina (afterwards
These Walls named after Jairan, begin in the First
called Lenceria Street and today’s Las Tiendas
Enclosure, go through the Hoya ravine to the San
Street), Mar Street (today’s Real Street), both
Cristobal hill (this part of the Wall continues
were very important commercial areas.
intact). From here, the Wall descends to Anto-
nio Vico Street and Carmen to Puerta Purchena
Square (before called Pechina), then the Wall
> Jayran Wall.
24

25. > La Medina, at the foot of the Alcazaba.
25
Jairan Wall and San Cristobal Hill Mediterranean Sea was built in the XX Century
From the Alcazaba descends the Wall towards (around 1930) and restored in the year 2000.
the North across the Hoya ravine, this Wall con-
tinues to the San Cristobal Hill. This part of the The Almeria Wall Interpretation
Centre
Wall was built in the times of Jairan, XI Century
The Almeria Wall Interpretation Centre situated
(1012-1028). This is what remains of the Musalla
on the corner of La Reina Street with Nicolas
Wall that continued down to Antonio Vico Street.
Salmeron Park contains remains of the Calipha-
On the Hill, known in Moorish times as Monte La- te Wall that date back to the times the City was
ham there are 7 towers, three Moorish of square founded in the X Century and a fish-salting fac-
construction and four Christian of semi-circular tory of Roman times.
structure. The Christian towers were built by the Nicolás Salmerón Park corner La Reina Street.
Templars who converted it into a fortress-chapel 04002 Almeria - Tel.: 950 250 286
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10h to 14h.
after they conquered the City commanded by
BUILDING ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Alfonso VII in 1147.
This Hill has an incredible view on the City, and La Medina
on its summit, there is an impressive statue of La Medina was the first urban area of the City.
the Sacred Heart of Jesus made of marble from Abderraman III Founded the City in 995 (X
Macael. The Statue that blesses the City and the Century) and undertook the fortification of the

26. 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).
26
This complex organization of streets and alleys
left no space for plazas and squares. The com-
> Interior view of an Arab Aljibe.
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- time. The Neighbourhood began at Mar Avenue
razanas (shipyards) were located at Atarazanas all the way to the Caballar ravine. It was formed
Street. They occupied a large area in the south- by fishermen, merchants and sailors of the west-
east of the Medina. There were many smaller ern anchorage area.
neighbourhoods surrounding La Medina with
The Chanca neighbourhood started developing
their own Mosque, for example today’s San An-
in 1850. Its name means “establishment or fish-
ton Chapel was a neighbourhood mosque.
ing utensils warehouse”, where the fishermen
The Aljibe neighbourhood stored their fishing apparel. This Neighbour-
(Al-Hawd) hood was the Jewish quarter, especially near
This Neighbourhood, today’s Pescaderia-La San Roque church, till they were expelled by
Chanca, was the old Moorish Al-Hawd; it meant the Catholic Kings. Edrisi commented that the
“aljibe” (water cistern). The name comes from an neighbourhood was densely inhabited with
aljibe that existed in the Neighbourhood at the many baths, shops and taverns.

27. The Chanca has some magnificent viewpoints San Juan Church
over the City: Barranco de Greppi and Cerillo del (previous Main Mosque)
Hambre. To reach the two viewpoints, go up Cara The Church was built on the remains of the for-
Street and continue up one of the most typical mer Main Mosque of Almeria. The Mosque was
streets: Hospicio Viejo Street. erected in the X Century; after the Catholic Kings
conquered the City in 1489, it was converted into
Aljibes Árabes the first Cathedral of the City.
(Moorish water cisterns)
Almeria in Moorish times did not have running However, after the earthquake in 1522, only the
water in the buildings therefore pillars and foun- primitive structure of the Mosque remained: the
tains had to be projected. We have information of wall of the Quibla and the niche of the Mihrab,
the waterworks in Almeria thanks to al-Himyari which belonged to the Oratory. The Mihrab
and al-Udri. According to al-Himyari, Jairan dur- Niche was rediscovered in the 1930s (XX Cen-
ing his reign ordered the construction of a water tury) by Leopoldo Torres Balbas after remaining
system; but al-Udri declared that it was built in hidden since the construction of the San Juan
Jairan’s successors reign, Zuhayr (1028-1038). In Church. The interior style is XII Century Almohad.
any case, the Aljibes are known as Jairan’s. After the destruction of the Mosque, the Bishop
The objective facts are that a water system was Portocarrero ordered the Church to be built at
27
the beginning of the XVII Century. During the
built from the fountains of the Alhadra to the
Spanish Civil War, the Church suffered the con-
higher part of the City, Puerta de Pechina (now
sequences of the bombings as the Mudejar style
Puerta de Purchena), where in the XI Century
roof was destroyed and only the outer walls re-
Taifa period, aljibes for public use were put in
mained. The Church was left abandoned in the
place.
middle of the Old Quarter. In 1979, the Church
Of the Aljibes built, there are only remains of was rehabilitated in order to celebrate Mass once
three communicated naves. The Aljibes meas- again.
ured 15 X 3.5 metres and were built with solid
In 1991, the Church was restored by the Direction
bricks and half barrel vault. These water cisterns
General de Bienes Culturales de la Consejeria de
are located at Tenor Iribarne Street.
Medio Ambiente (Cultural and Patrimonial De-
The total volume of water the Aljibes could store partment of the Government of Andalusia). The
was 630,000 litres; this quantity was enough to Quibla and the Mihrab of the original Mosque
supply the City during a long siege. There were were recuperated and the Church received a new
also wells to supply waterwheels and water- roof, replacing the prefabricated roof from the
ways. 1979 reconstruction.
12, Tenor Iribarne Street, 04001 Almeria.
Tel.: 950 273 039 The XVII Century Façade of the Church, facing
Open: Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm and Satur- Cristo de la Buena Muerte Square, stands out due
days 10 pm to 12:30 am.

28. to its rusticated stone masonry. The Pediment is Puerta de Pechina (Pechina Gate)
decorated with the coat of arms of the Bishop Puerta de Pechina was the most important en-
Portocarrero by whose initiative the Temple was trance to the City; it was located at Manuel Perez
erected. Garcia Square at the beginning of Tiendas Street.
General Luque Street, 04002 Almeria. The Entrance was knocked down in 1855 to per-
Tel.: 950 220 748
Open: Winter: 18 am to 6:30 am; Summer: 7 pm mit the modern City to expand.
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.
> Façade of the Church of San Juan (previously the Main Mosque of the City).
28

29. > chrisTian almeria fortress; it had religious and defensive functions
to protect the population from barbary pirates.
The Cathedral
The Main Façade of the Cathedral denotes its
The Cathedral Square was designed in the XIX defensive characteristic: strong walls and coun-
Century and has undergone remodelling sev- terforts. The decoration lies mainly on the Por-
eral times, the last one in the year 2000. The XVI tal: the coat of arms of Charles I of Spain and V of
Century Façade of the Cathedral-Fortress with its Germany and the bishop founder of the Cathe-
Renaissance Portal presides the Square. dral, Fray Diego Fernandez de Villalan. The lateral
The construction of the Cathedral began in 1524, Portal, “Los Perdones” on Velazquez Street, is also
after the 1522 earthquake destroyed the first Ca- of Renaissance style although the decoration is
thedral, situated on the site of the Main Mosque not as rich.
in the Medina. The prime characteristic of the The interior is of Gothic style with a rectangular
Temple lies on the fact that it is a Cathedral- nave; The Sacristan and the masonry work of
> The Cathedral of Almeria.
29

30. the Choir are of Renaissance style from the art- (an important local businessman who had
ist Juan de Orea. The Retro-choir and the Cloister earned fortune through the mining boom in
are XVIII Century Neoclassic. The Cloister is the eastern Almeria) bought the plot and urbanized
best example of a Neoclassical cloister in Spain. the Square in 1855. The Square, an ample space
The High Altar, modified in the XVII Century, is flanked by straight streets (Castelar and San
presided by a Tabernacle decorated as a retable Francisco), became a wealthy residential area
with scenes of the life of the Virgen Mary and there and part of the City’s eastern expansion.
are two antique XVI engravings of La Anunciacion The San Pedro Church, a magnificent example of
and el Calvario de Cristo (the Annunciation and the Neoclassical style in Almeria together with the
Torment of Christ) in the middle of the ensemble. Cathedral’s Cloister, was built between XVIII and
The most important chapels are situated behind XIX Centuries on the ruins of the XVI San Fran-
the High Altar in the Girola: San Indalecio, El Cristo cisco Convent. After the Desamortizacion, the
de la Escucha (Christ who listens) and la Virgen de Convent was converted into today’s San Pedro
la Piedad (Our Lady of Pity). Diocese. On the High Altar, there is an image of
In the Cathedral Plaza opposite the Cathedral San Pedro were previously San Francisco stood.
stands the XIX Century Episcopal Palace. The There is a big medallion of Saint Francis of As-
Emblem of the City “Sol de Portocarrero” is on sisi and Santo Domingo de Guzman giving each
30 the corner of one of the Cathedral’s towers at the other a hug with two angles representing the
Calle Cubo which belongs to the Chapel Santo theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
Cristo de la Escucha. The Church conserves an antique XVII Century
Catedral Square, 04001 Almeria. Chapel, the only part of the Convent recovered.
Tel.: 950 23 48 48. The Main Façade of the Church is very unique, it
Open: Monday to Friday 10h to 14h and 16h to 18h.
presents a Portal between two twin towers; the
MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED
lateral Portal at Rodrigos Street is not as richly
San Pedro Church decorated. The XX Century Tower hanging over
The Square was designed in 1848 by order of the Rodrigos Street is of Historical style.
San Pedro Square, 04001 Almeria.
Civil Governor Eugenio Sartorius with gardens Tel.: 950 230 803
and a roundabout. The name of the Square has Open: Monday to Friday from 12:30 am to 1 pm
changed from San Francisco to San Pedro; in 1862 and from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.
it was named Isabel II and de la Libertad in 1868. Esclavas del Santísimo Sacramento
The San Pedro (or Sartorius as it was named Convent
at the middle of the Century) roundabout was The Convent was previously the old XVII Cen-
built on the plot of the former Convent of San tury San Pedro el Viejo Church before the 1837
Francisco and its gardens. This land was expro- Mendizabal Desamortización (Mendizabal’s
priated from the Spanish Catholic Church by the expropriation of Catholic Church patrimony)
Desamortizacion Law of 1835. Ramon Orozco then the Diocese moved to the old San Francisco

31. Convent. At the end of the XIX Century, the Build- Portals: the Main Portal overlooking the Square
ing was reformed and inaugurated by the Jesuit and a lateral Portal at Alcalde Muñoz Street. The
Order at the beginning of the XX Century. After Tower of the Church has a characteristic polygo-
being damaged during the Civil War, the Convent nal shape. On the Main Portal, there is a repre-
was rebuilt. Today the Building is the closed Con- sentation of the martyrdom of San Sebastian
vent of Las Esclavas del Santisimo Sacramento by Ventura Rodriguez and J. Antonio Munar. On
Order. The last rehabilitation was done by Ra- the sides of the Church there are very powerful
mon de Torres. Its interior transmits peace of counter-fortes, strong walls and a very charac-
mind and the ceiling is of a Mudejar style. teristic dome at Murcia Street. The Façade of the
San Pedro Street, 04001 Almeria. Church is presided by a lateral tower.
San Sebastián Square, 04003 Almeria.
San Sebastián Church
Tel.: 950 231 195
The San Sebastian Square gives the name to Open: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 11 am.
the Temple located in the Square. From the XI MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED
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 > The San Sebastian Church.
times, the Square was on the outskirts of the
Wall and presided by a mosque which in Chris- 31
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

32. 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
32
to a Atalaya (defensive tower) on the Torregarcía
beach in 1502.
The Square is furnished with gardens and foun- > Church of Santo Domingo or “Temple of the Patron”.
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. Santa María Magdalena Royal
Hospital and Chapel
The Church, which has two XIX Century Portals, (called the Provincial Hospital)
was hugely damaged during the Civil War. The El Hospital Provincial is one of the most antique
Sanctuary had to be restored due to a terrible buildings conserved to this day. The Hospital
fire. The interior of The Sanctuary is of Baroque was built by the initiative of the Bishop Fray
style, decorated by Jesus de Perceval. We must Diego Fernandez de Villalan between the years
highlight the Chapel which holds the original 1547 and 1557; Juan de Orea also participated
Image of the Patron, Our Lady of the Sea. in the work. At the end of the XVIII Century, the
Virgen del Mar Square, 04001 Almeria.
ecclesiastical administration of the Hospital was
Tel.: 950 237 948
Open: Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 12 am changed to a board of administration controlled
and from 6 pm to 9 pm. by both civilian and ecclesiastical authorities. In
MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 1777, the newly constituted Board of Adminis-

33. tration took on some important works on the Compañía de María
building. The XVI Century Courtyard was redone Church Convent
during the works taken on in the Hospital at the Restauracion Period (Spanish political period be-
end of the XVIII Century. tween the end of the 1800s and the beginning of
the 1900s) in Almeria meant a new implementa-
The Main Façade, overlooking Hospital Street,
tion of religious architecture with an important
has a Neoclassic Portal built in 1778. The Portal
number works taken on. Among the building
is framed between two Jonic Pillars that sustain
projects erected, the Compañía de María Church
an Entablature inscribed with the name of the
Convent built by initiative of the Diocese Prelate
Hospital and the date. The Portal is crowned by a
Jose Maria Orbera y Canton.
balcony with a curved moulding with the Royal
Coat of Arms in its centre. The Ensemble is an The origin of the building was conceived by the
example of the transition between Baroque and Bishop Orbera, he wished to create a school of
Neoclassic Periods. free tuition, in order to do that he asked the
Hospital Street, 04002 Almeria Town Council for 8,851 metres of land in the Re-
Tel.: 619 103 222 ducto area. Once he was conceded his petition,
Open: from Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to
13:30 pm. he turned it down as he had found a better plot
between Belen Rambla and Pescaderia Prom-
33
> Retable of Santiago Church.

34. enade (today’s Obispo Orbera) which was being Queen, Isabel of Castile died) Teresa Enriquez
built at that time. This change of location modi- modified the Governor’s Will by giving the Con-
fied substantially the terms of the project as the vent to the Order of Our Lady of the Immaculate
previously chosen area at the west of the City Conception (Las Puras).
was mainly a workers neighbourhood, therefore This Convent was built on what were originally
free tuition was needed, in contrast to the final
three houses with a plot and a tower each. The
area chosen in the bourgeois east expansion area
Gutierrez de Cardenas family possessed the land
of the City.
in the Musalla neighbourhood which coincide
The Architect was Enrique Lopez Rull, the works with today’s Cervantes Street, Eusebio Arrieta
started in 1882 and the School was inaugurated Street, Sanchez Toca Street and San Fernando
in 1885. The Nave is of rectangular shape and the Square (today’s Administracion Vieja Square).
Main Façade overlooks Obispo Orbera Rambla. The Plot covered the whole block leaving out the
The central part of the plot is occupied by the Diocesan School which has ceased to exist.
Church, the Convent and the School are on the
The Convent is made up of the Church, Cloister
sides of the Church. The architectural styles are
and the access area to Cervantes Street with a XIX
Medieval Historicism with Gothic and Roman-
Century Portal and the Cloister situated behind
esque roots.
34 it. The Main Façade of the Church Convent dating
Las Puras Church Convent from the XVIII Century is characterized by its so-
The Closed Convent of the Order of Franciscan ber style and its Baroque Portal and XVII Century
Sisters (also known as Real Monasterio) rep- Mudejar Tower. The Church is a boxed style nave
resents one of the most important artistic en- with a beautiful interior; XVIII Century Baroque
sembles of the City, declared of Spanish Cultural decoration highlighted in the High Altar.
Interest in 1982. The construction took place in
1515 (the oldest in Almeria) when the Convent > The Façade of Las Puras Church 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

35. In the Cloister, there are remains of Gothic style pearance of the Main Façade of the Convent and
Portal in the cemetery and four salomonic reta- adoption of the same architectural style of the
bles covered with paradise birds that were re- Square.
formed in the XVIII and XIX Centuries. One of the The Convent has gone through different vicis-
chapels of the Church is named after the founder situdes: the first transformation in 1811 when
of the Convent Santa Beatriz. This is the Chapel Jovellanos Street was inaugurated facing the
Mausoleum of the Family of Jesus de Perceval. Convent’s garden in 1837, the Desamortizacion
The Cratícula (barred window) is situated under Law converted the Convent into the Civil Gov-
the choir, it is an old oratorio from where the ernment and the Local Provincial Government
nuns acceded to be given communion through Building, therefore the nuns had to move to Las
an annexed door. The Church is decorated with Puras Convent; and the Convent being set afire in
paintings of the Virgen Mary except the Angus- tragic circumstances during the Civil War where
tias which is of a different theme; the paintings
are of the XVIII Century painter from Lorca, An-
tonio Garcia. > The Portal of Las Claras Church Convent.
Cervantes Street (entrance to the Convent) and
General Castaños Street, corner to José Ángel
Valente Street (entrance to Church).
04003 Almeria. 35
Tel.: 950 238 906
Open: Monday to Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Las Claras Church Convent
El 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-

36. 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 Almeria
Tel.: 950 234 692
Open: Monday to Sunday from 6 pm to 6:30 pm.
Summer: Monday to Sunday from 6:30 pm to 19 pm.
MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED
Santiago Church
The Church, founded by the Catholic Kings in
1494, was included in the diocese division of the
36 City, implemented in order to Christianize the
> Santiago Church.
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 Main Portal overlooking Hernan Cortes Street,
to Muslims that continued living in Christian crowned by the Church Tower and a Lateral
conquered land) due to the political urgency of Portal (due to its beauty, it is considered as the
the construction of the Church to consolidate Main one ) decorated in Renaissance style with
Christianity. This made the quality of the con- a relief of Santiago Matamoros (St. James the
struction of the first phase to be relatively poor. Moor slayer).
The interior of the Church contained Mudejar Tiendas Street, 04003 Almeria
style wood-works on the ceiling. But all in all, Tel.: 950 237 120
Open: Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 12 am
the Church has a Renaissance structure. The and from de 6 pm to 7 pm.
Church was seriously damaged during the Civil MONUMENT ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED PEOPLE
War, the Mudejar wood-works and other artistic
treasures were destroyed. The Temple was de- San Roque Church
clared a XVI Century Spanish Artistic and Historic The Church, blessed in 1893, is located in the
Monument. The Temple has two Portals , the Old Aljibe neighbourhood (today’s Pescaderia-

37. La Chanca). The structure of the Church has clear San Anton Chapel
Neoclassical influences in a general Classical ec- (Chapel in honor of Saint Anthony)
lecticism. The Tower, in the centre of the Façade, The Chapel, previously a mosque, gives name
follows the Civilian architecture of the time, of to one of the most popular neighbourhoods in
which the Town Council building is an example. Almeria. Each year in January “rabicos” (pigtails)
This model will influence subsequent temples are auctioned and bonfires are lit in honour of
San Anton.
From this small Church you can accede down to
Malaga Road through an elegant stairway. The In 1877, the Bishop Orbera organized a small
Church has been renovated from the ground convent in the houses adjacent to the Chapel to
up several times, since it was built over the old home the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent that
mosque that belonged to the neighbourhood. were expelled due to State expropriation of the
From the moment it was founded, the Temple Convent. The nuns lived there until 1899. The
was dedicated to San Roque protector against Chapel continued being a public place of prayer
the plague. The Church was redesigned at the and in 1908, a Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes was
end of the XIX Century and in the year 1900, the inaugurated and quickly became very popular.
Diocese was founded. The Church suffered the After being severely damaged during the Civil
consequences of the 1936-1939 Civil War. War, the Diocese of San Juan Evangelista was
3, Corbeta Street, 04002 Almeria. established 37
Tel.: 950 275 108 San Antón Street. 04002 Almeria.
> San Roque Church.

38. > The old Railway Station.
38
> iron archiTecTure in almeria half of the XIX Century. Iron was used instead of
traditional materials (stone and brick) because
Train Station
of its capacity to support great weights and cov-
The arrival of the train to Almeria is essentially
linked to the extraction of iron ore from the er large areas. Glass was used to cover walls and
mountains of the interior. A cheap way of trans- ceilings as it was very light and very appropriate
port was needed to transport the mineral from for light-weight and open-plan constructions.
the mines in Alquife (Province of Granada) and The Main Façade, facing the Estacion Square, is
Sierra de los Filabres mountains (Province of a divided in three parts. The Main Entrance, built
Almeria) to the Port of Almeria. The Almeria- with the two typical materials of the time: iron
Guadix railway was inaugurated in 1895, and and glass, has a huge monumental glass Portal
afterwards continued to Linares. This linked over the Entrance making it at the time, worthy
Almeria to the rest of Spain by rail. to receive the people of Almeria who travelled
The Old Train Station Central building is a beau- in such a modern way of transport. The lateral
tiful example of Iron Architectural style used in wings are made of stone covered by brick and
industrial and functional buildings in the second glazed ceramics.

39. El Cable Inglés using new materials such as iron in the construc-
The Mineral Loading Pier called “Cable Ingles” tion of the Mineral Loading Pier. The Cable Ingles
(literally the English Cable) is located on the Al- lies on a beach next to the Port and is linked to
madrabillas beach next to the Levante dock and the Train Station through a railway bridge.
is linked by a railway bridge to the Train Station. The Cable Ingles is made up of two parts: the
The Pier was built and owned by an English min- rails that link the Train Station to the Pier and
ing company “The Alquife Mines Railway Limited”, the Loading Pier itself where the trains unloaded
which obtained the mining concession in 1901 directly onto the ships’ holds. The railway linkage
and immediately started the building process. to the Pier is built on semi-circular stone arches
fastened to the rails by huge iron beams. In 1998
The Pier is a masterpiece of the Iron Architecture
the Cable Ingles was declared Bien de Interes
of the beginning of the XX Century. Building the
Cultural (of Spanish Cultural Interest) for its his-
Cable Ingles was possible due to the existence of
toric, symbolic and aesthetic values
the Port and the Railway. The Project was eclectic Playa de las Almadrabillas (Almadrabillas beach).
but it introduced an all new architectural style, 04001 Almeria.
> A night view of el Cable Ingles.
39

40. Central Market Building project to build the Market in the Old Quarter
The construction of a public market had been on was cancelled.
the drawing board for some time. At the begin- In the El Paseo Prolongation Project taken on
ning of the 1840s, the Market was to be built in by the architect Jose Marin Baldo, there was
the Old Quarter to therefore conserve the exist- a plot reserved in centre of the expansion area
ing market at the Constitution Square. for a public market and fish stalls. From then on,
In the second half of the XIX Century, the City ex- several projects were forwarded but non imple-
panded towards the new bourgeois Levante area mented until 1892 that Antonio Martinez Perez
(the east, El Paseo) and in doing so, the City’s was finally adjudicated the project.
40
Monument to Tolerance
AA
Next 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.

41. 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.
41
> almeria ThrouGh The cenTuries > Sol de Portocarrero, the City’s emblem on the
Fortified Tower at Calle Cubo.
Bendicho Square
The Square, born under the protection of the the City “La Casa de los Puche” is situated in
Cathedral, is situated in the middle of the Old the Square; an old noble family that arrived in
Quarter (the old Musalla neighbourhood). The Almeria with the first Christian settlers in 1494.
Square was one of the favourite residential areas The House structured in two floors, the first floor
of the aristocracy from the XVI to XVIII Centuries. for house workers and the second floor where
From this Square, the merlons and fortified tow- the owners lived. The Façade includes a Portal
ers of the Cathedral can be contemplated. These with a semi-circular arch over which the fam-
elements belong to the Cathedral’s ambulatory, ily coat of arms lies. The Balcony placed directly
where on the exterior wall the high relief of the over the Portal has a very beautifully decorated
City emblem “Sol de Portocarrero” overlooks railing.
pass-byers. The Square is named after Juan F. Next to the Casa de los Puche on the same side of
Juan Leon Biendicho y Quelty who was born in the street lies the XIX Century “Casa de la Musica”
Malaga in 1809; he changed his residence to which has been restored and now is the Patro-
Almeria when he married Doña Dolores Puche. nato Provincial de Turismo (Provincial Tourism
From the XVIII Century, The oldest house in Board) Building.

42. 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 The Watch on the
Town Council Building
intimate place. Activities such as games, fiestas,
The Clock on Town Council plays
bullfights, processions and other types of pa- the popular melody of el Fandan-
rades have been held there. guillo of almeria every quarter of
an hour and at each o’clock the
42
In Moorish times, the Square had an irregular complete song.
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 ment to the Martyrs of Liberty. An Obelisk dedi-
slightly trapezoid and maintains the characteris- cated to 24 liberals who landed on the beaches
tics of XIX Century closed squares. of Almeria dressed in red (this is why they are
The Square is presided by the Town Council called “Los Coloraos” (“The Reds”)), to proclaim
Building. The Building, finalized between the liberty and the constitution against the despot-
XIX and XX Centuries, has an eclectic style. The ism of Fernando VII. They were executed by firing
Façade is divided in three parts: the arcades with squad in 24 August 1824. The first Monument,
the semi-circular arches; the Main Front more from 1868-1870 was located in Cadiz Square
elaborate, including balconies; and the third (today’s Purchena Square) and in 1900 it was
tier with attic flats. In the upper centre part of moved to the Plaza Vieja until it was destroyed
the Façade, stands a Tower with a semi-circular in 1943. The first Monument was made of stone
dome where the clock and Emblem of the Town and today’s Monument, rebuilt by donations
Council lie. from the citizens of Almeria, is made of marble.
In the middle of the Square stands the Monu- It has a great pedestal from which a column

43. 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 Casino
> The interior of the Cultural Casino.
The 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 The Culture Casino, founded by Joaquin de
an example of the Historical architectural style Vilches in 1840, was definitively taken to El Pa-
of the time. seo after considering alternative possibilities. El
Culture Casino was established in what was the
> Pingurucho or the Column in honour of home of Emilio Perez Ibañez, who had been an 43
The Coloraos at Plaza Vieja.
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

44. 1950 and 1960 it was once again abandoned un- from the functional building models imple-
til the Junta de Andalucia (Government of Anda- mented during the II Spanish Republic develo-
lusia) acquired the Building through an embargo ped by Guillermo Langle. The Local Municipal
due to tax debts. Police Station at Santos Zarate Street is a good
The Façade of the Monument is of Historical style example. The Main Façade is a pavilion with a
with a typical bourgeois stone base structure, continuous window, forming long friezes and
that holds a semi-basement and monumental a marquee in the entrance with two columns.
Portal crowned by a balcony with Classicists The Entrance has a concave form so it adapts to
influences. The Building includes an ample en- Barcelona Square. This contrasts with the circu-
trance way for horse carriages and an artistic lar forms of the lateral shapes in the lobby that
stairway hand-rail. give the Building such a creative freedom that
Paseo de Almería. the Junta de Andalucia declared the Station of
Old Bus Station Cultural Interest.
Barcelona Square.
Built in 1952 and designed by the architect Gui-
llermo Langle Rubio. Careaga Square
The Bus Station was essential for the City as Irregular urban spaces in the Old Quarter gave
44 communications by rail were very scarce; there- way to the creation of squares during the XVIII
fore links to the towns in the Province and cities and XIX Centuries. These squares were usually in
of bordering provinces were necessarily ad- the neighbourhoods of the more privileged as
dressed by road. for example Carreaga Square, which is similar to
The Building is a good example of the Architec- a peaceful interior courtyard.
tural Rationalism of Almeria which comes back The Square is named after the Family Carreaga
> The old Bus Station.