Urban People and Families Alcazaba Tower with the City in the Background 2 Almería, with One Thousand and One Opportunities Mineral Loading Platform and Marina

Almería, Dream Escapes

Urban people and families Alcazaba Tower with the City in the background 2 Almería, with one thousand and one opportunities Mineral Loading Platform and Marina

For decades it has been said that Almería was far away from everything. Lo- cated in a corner of the peninsula, not on a through way, for this reason the Almerian people had everything without having to look elsewhere.

3 Since ancient times Almería has been a crossroads, a out to the Mediterranean sea, with a bar in every corner; corner in the Mare Nostrum where the Phoenicians, Car- each one with its own typical tapas, museums, war raid thaginians, Greeks, Romans and Muslims settled and left shelters, stories and more than one thousand passions. their footprint.

Almería has close to hand the snow of the Sierra Nevada, the Desert of Tabernas, the Marine-Terrestrial Natural Park of Cabo de Gata and Sierra María Los Vélez, the wild beaches of the Levante, the crowded beaches of the Poniente, the tourist complex of El Toyo, Carboneras, Mojácar or Vera on one side and Roquetas and Alme- rimar on the other; the sea, the mountains, the country and the desert.

Without leaving home, without abandoning the city; the heritage of the Muslims and Christians is evident in the Alcazaba fortress, the Cathedral and the churches, the parks and gardens like La Rambla or Nicolás Salmerón Park alongside the Port, the narrow streets of La Alme- dina, the old quarters and the wide avenues of the centre. Also the extended areas of the Promenade that open Church of Las Salinas (Cabo de Gata) 19th Century Building Archaeological Museum of Almería Weekend escapes The weekend in Almería can start on a Friday morning, Católicos street running parallel to this. At the top of the visiting one of the most emblematic monuments of the main avenue the Puerta de Purchena with the Casa de city: Its fortified Cathedral, built in the Gothic style with las Mariposas (Butterflies House), the traditional “Ca- a Renaissance façade. It is found in the square of the ñillo” (drinking water fountain) and the statue of Nicolás same name, opposite the Bishop’s Palace. After seeing Salmerón, president of the first Spanish Republic. 4 the symbol of the “Sun of Portocarrero” (in the Cubo street), you can enter the Cathedral from the side entran- At the back of this, in the Plaza Manuel Pérez García you ce in the Velázquez street. can find the entrance to the Civil War Air Raid Shelters, that require more time to visit them. Heading north, not very far Not very far away the route can continue to the 16th away is the Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Vilches avenue. century Convent of “Las Puras” and its Church with a Mudejar style tower. You can also see the House of Lunch should consist of tapas in the bars of the city cen- the Poet José Ángel Valente, in the street of the same tre, La Rambla, El Paseo or in the surrounding areas; or name. Continue to the Plaza Campoamor, which has a you can stroll down El Paseo to the promenade and El monument dedicated to the lovers, and the Palace of Zapillo quarter. the Marquises of Cabra. From there, the Arráez street leads to the Plaza de la Administración Vieja next to In the afternoon a visit to the Museo Arquelógico de Al- the Plaza de la Constitución, also known as “the Old mería (Archaeological Museum) is a must, on the Carre- Square,” where you can find the Town Hall and the tera de Ronda, where you can learn about the history of Monument to “Los Coloraos.” prehistoric settlements like El Argar and Los Millares, also about the Roman and Muslim periods. Not very far away, A short walk away and close by the Mariana and Las heading further down the Carretera de Ronda towards Tiendas streets, lead to the Churches of Santiago and the Estación Intermodal (railway and bus station), you San Pedro, as well as to the Alijbes de Jayrán (Muslim can find the Centro de Arte Museo de Almería (City Art cisterns), which are now the headquarters of the Peña Museum) which houses different temporary art, sculpture Flamenca (fan association) El Taranto. This same pedes- and photography exhibitions. trianized street leads to El Paseo de Almería, one of the main commercial avenues of the city, with the Reyes In the evening an interesting suggestion is to visit a peña flamenca like El Morato (Tel: 675 525 460), situated in a bla Federico García Lorca; also the sight of the Palacio de typical cave house on the mountain side at the northern la Diputación and nearer to the sea, the Casa de González most point of the city (access through the Rambla García Montoya or Chalé Montañés. The Nicolás Salmerón Park Lorca); or to the already mentioned El Taranto (C/ Tenor that runs alongside the Port and the Cable Inglés (mineral Iribarne, next to the Paseo.Tel: 950 235 057). loading platform), a monument of iron archictecture close to the train station, give a cultural touch to the afternoon. On Saturday morning the visitor can go to El Toyo and This same area with its natural light can be a place for a Retamar, tourist beach resorts with various 4 star hotels, evening stroll, from dinner to drinks, here or in the area a 18 hole golf course and the Cabo de Gata-Ciudad de surrounding El Paseo and the Calle Real. Sunday morning Almería, Congress and Exhibition Centre. El Toyo was is an ideal time to visit the Civil War Air Raid Shelters in the main administrative centre of the 2005 Almería Me- the Plaza Manuel Pérez García, next to the Puerta de Pur- diterranean Games, whose Mediterranean village today chena. This is one of the largest air raid shelters in Europe forms part of the resort. with a kilometer and a half of recreated areas open to the public, it has an exit onto the Pablo Cazard street (Tel: 950 In the Levante direction (east), you can arrive at Cabo de 268696 and at [email protected]). The first Gata village, an urban nucleus which is the entrance to thing you see on leaving the Shelters is the Escuela de the Marine-Terrestrial Natural Park of the same name, which is a Bisosphere Reserve. It has beautiful beaches Arte y Oficios (School of Arts), which has an 18th century and sensational views where the Sierra de Gata (volcanic cloister. At the back of this, you will find the Santuario mountain range) meets the Mediterranean sea. There are de la Patrona, Virgen del Mar (the Church of the Patron bird viewing hides with more than 80 species of birds; Saint). Walking towards the sea is the Nicolás Salmerón amongst them, flamingos. To round off the morning, a Park with the Fuente de los Peces (Fountain of the Fish); good idea could be a paella or mixed platter of grilled fish and in a westerly direction, the gardens of the Paseo San in San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, Las Salinas (salt flats), Luis and the entrance to the old quarter of Almería from La La Fabriquilla, or La Almadraba de Monteleva, without Reina street to the fortress. 5 even leaving the Natural Park. The area surrounding the Nicolás Salmerón Park, the Port On Saturday afternoon it is a good time to go shopping in and the Promenade, are ideal places in which to find the neighbouring streets of El Paseo de Almería, visiting something to eat. From this area, the city beaches reach the Mercado Central (covered food market), located on out to the visitor offering a peaceful walk, or a place to the Rambla Obispo Orberá. Enjoying the shops and typical rest and have a coffee in any one of the numerous bars 19th century houses, like those found in the Navarro Ro- and cafes along the promenade. This area has a great at- drigo, Reyes Católicos, Méndez Núñez streets or the Ram- mosphere at night as well as that of the historical centre.

Paseo de Almería Church of Santiago Cafeteria in El Zapillo Quarter The Casa Rosa Paseo de Almería, Easter Procession

Almería Easter escapes Holy week, along with the Feria of Almería, has beco- longs this religious, touristic and social festivity. 6 me the time that has the greatest number of visitors to the city. There are four processions on the Saturday before Palm Sunday: Together with Rosario del Mar, which leaves Over nine days there is fusion of religious fervour, his- from the Capilla del Real Hospital de Santa Maria Mag- torical and cultural tourism. An opportunity to enjoy the dalena and follows a route around the historical quarter, spring weather, that is sometimes almost like summer; El Calvario from San Roque, La Unidad from the neigh- shopping, gastronomic delights and a chance to catch up bourhood of Piedras Redondas, and the Cristo del Cami- with family and friends. The streets, mainly in the cen- no de Araceli from the quarter of the same name. tre, are soon crowded with people from different quarters of the city. The Saetas (Easter prayer songs) and various On Palm Sunday, all the attention is concentrated on the religious rituals are the protagonists of the processions. early morning procession of La Borriquita, which leaves Some of the best moments are found in the more typical from the Church of Espíritu Santo in the Altamira area. streets, the Cathedral, or in the Carrera Oficial (Official Now in the afternoon, the protagonist is the very popular Route) in the Paseo de Almería. quarter of Los Ángeles. La Estrella is another quarter full of history along with Regiones. La Santa Cena has its The Holy Week of Almería has experienced extraordinary penitence station located in one of the most well known recognition over the last few years, becoming one of the churches of the city, San Pedro. most attractive and popular celebrations in Andalusia. More than twenty Brotherhoods and Fraternities with The procession of three Brotherhoods takes place on their images of Christ and Virgin Mary, head out onto the Monday: La Macarena from the Church of Nuestra streets with their floats over a period of 9 days that pro- Señora de las Mercedes, next to the bullring; El Gran Las Angustias leaves from the chapel of the Colegio Compañía de María, meanwhile El Silencio goes from the Church of San Agustín in the Rambla Alfareros. On Good Friday, all of the city people are out on the streets to accompany the processions of the four Fraternities: El Santo Cristo de la Escucha that heads out onto the street from the Cathedral, La Caridad from Los Franciscanos or Church of San Agustín in the Rambla Alfareros, El Entie- rro from San Pedro, and La Soledad from Santiago. This is another emblematic temple of the Holy Week and an example of the religious architecture of the city.

Respecting the rest on Holy Saturday; Easter week closes with the procession of Jesús Resucitado on Easter Sun- Flores Square, Penitents day, with a float that starts and finishes at the Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación), which is another impor- tant moment of the Almerian Holy Week. Poder from the Church of San Pio X in El Zapillo, and La Pasión from Santa Teresa in Oliveros.

On Tuesday the attention is concentrated on the procession of El Perdón, with a silent exit from San Ildefonso, next to the bullring and a spectacular float going through 7 El Silencio street. Together with the Brotherhood of La Co- ronación, which leaves from the temple of Santa María Magdalena in Los Molinos; and El Amor, from another symbolic temple of the city, San Sebastián next to Puerta de Purchena.

Two more take place on Holy Wednesday when Holy Week is approaching its final phases: El Prendimiento, that leaves from the Cathedral and finishes in the Cha- pel of La Hermandad, in the Plaza de Jesús Cautivo de Medinaceli, which has its name from the image; and La Hermandad de los Estudiantes, that also starts from the Cathedral and returns in the early hours of the morning.

There are three spectacular early morning processions on Maundy Thursday. La Cofradía del Encuentro from the Plaza de España in El Zapillo quarter, and the famous Encuentro (encounter) which takes place in the Plaza Circular, usually at around nine pm.

Chapel of the Brotherhood of El Prendimiento 8 Butterflies House, Puerta de Purchena Almería, start of the Mozarab route of the Camino de Santiago

From Almería to Santiago de Compostela: 1,352 km of the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), along the route known as the Mozarab. It connects the Ca- thedrals of both cities, which are so different with their landscape, their climate and their way of life on opposite points of the Peninsula. Pilgrims Information Centre in the Constitution Square Signpost indicating the Way of Saint James

A different and unique way to walk the Camino de San- churches, with the Patron Saint (Virgen del Mar) as the tiago is along the long Ruta Mozárabe, which links the focal point; the so-called iron architecture, the Bourgeois old city of Mariyat with the final destination of all routes, Almería; and the wide avenues and green zones next to the Cathedral of Santiago. Mariyat (Almería) was forti- the maze of narrow streets in the historical quarter. Ex- fied in 955 by Abderramán III, at the same time cons- perience the museums, the typical gastronomy, the ta- truction started on the Alcazaba fortress. pas and the beaches. Not forgetting Cabo de Gata and El Toyo with the Mediterranean Village (from the 2005 A starting point on this Ruta Mozárabe offers the adven- Games) and its golf course. turous traveller various combinations and options before embarking on the journey. There are endless opportuni- The Ruta Mozárabe shows us Almería from a different ties before you start the Camino, through the historical perspective, allowing us to see the charms of the city un- 9 quarter and the recently pedestrianized city centre: the der the influence of the bewitched Camino and life from remains of the Muslim and Christian architecture, from seven centuries ago. the Alcazaba fortress to the fortified Cathedral, past the

Information board at the start of the Mozarab Route 10 Puerta de Purchena To not lose yourself in Almería

The city of Almería bases its touristic interest in a variety The Christian and Muslim architecture alongside that of of choices for all senses. Culturally, it is a must to visit the Iron, whose most significant examples are the Mineral Alcazaba fortress, the largest standing Moorish fortress Loading Platform, that stretches out to the sea, as well in Europe; the fortified Cathedral; the churches of San as the Railway Station and the recently renovated Cen- Pedro, Santiago, San Sebastián; and above all the Pa- tral Market. tron Saint, Virgen del Mar. Alongside the Air Raid Shelters and the Casa del Cine, the Historically, the Civil War Air Raid Shelters are the big- city offers other museums: Museo Arqueológico, Centro gest example in Europe of this type of air raid construc- de Arte Museo de Almería and Museo de la Guitarra; tion. La Casa del Cine (Cinema Museum) is the most dig- without forgetting Casa Museo de José Ángel Valente. nified recreation from the golden period of cinema in the province, when Almería was known as the “European As a Tourist, it is essential to stroll along the Promena- Hollywood.” de and the city beaches. It is worth visiting El Toyo with its golf course and tourist amenities, and the coast with Wander and lose yourself in the narrow and steep streets Cabo de Gata Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park and of the Almedina en route to the Alcazaba; enter the his- Biosphere Reserve. torical quarter passing by the Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Real and the pedestrianized centre. El Paseo or La Gastonomically, it would be unforgiveable not to try the Rambla are other options not to forget, whilst enjoying typical dishes from Almería: migas (fried breadcrumbs), the peace of the city with everything close to hand and its gachas (wheat porridge), pimentón (white bait stew) or special charm and unique climate, an enchanting place. gurullos(game meat stew); as well as the fish, fresh from the sea. Don’t miss the small culinary delights, which are the tapas, that Almería is well known for.

“Sun of Portocarrero” Central Market Surrounding area of the Central Market Travel websites about Almería

www.turismodealmeria.org www.turismoalmeria.com www.almeriaturismo.org www.spain.info/es/ven/provincias/almeria Oficina Municipal de Turismo Tel. 950 210 538 Email: [email protected] www.turismodealmeria.org

Accommodation. Much more than just hotels

Congress and Exhibition City. Exclusivity in the Mediterranean

Charms of Cooking. 190,000 “thankful palates”

Land of Film. Unique scenes

Year round Sun and Beaches. Spectacle of light and water

Health, Leisure and Sport. An oasis of wellness

Golf Courses. Walking on the green

Cruises and Yachting. Almeria from the sea

Culture and Traditions. A walk through history