|
Almeria is the capital and port city of this region. It was founded in the 10th century and currently has a population of about 180,000 people. Here one will find a Moorish fortress, the largest naturist beach in Europe, which actually has naturist quarters nearby as well, a close protected reserve that covers 460 square kilometres of land and sea, and fine restaurants and museums.
This easternmost provincial capital of Spain is also one of its most intriguing.You’ll surely want to go to the Puerta de Purchena, where you can enjoy the best restaurants and bars known for having good prices, and amazing Andalucian food. But in this capital city, you’ll also want to see the site that once kept this land protected and still seems to be doing a similar job today.
The Alcazaba
The Alcazaba is a Moorish fortress located on a mountain above the city of Almeria. Its cobblestone steps lead to the castle itself, whose fantastic vistas include nearby hilltops and the city’s port.
The Alcazaba was once home to as many as tens of thousands of soldiers at a single time and is still a sight to behold, as it dominates the skyline of Almeria while hovering protectively above the city. Come here and you’ll even enjoy some local tourist shopping on your way back down.
Almeria Cathedral
The Catholic Monarchs defeated the Moors of Almeria City in 1489 and susequently evicted the Muslim people. A previous cathedral had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1522, so work began on the new Almeria Cathedral in 1524. The cathedral's architecture is a mix of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance, and frequent pirate raids explain its fortress like appearance. In fact, the cathedral was built as a temple-fortress, to protect the city and as a place of worship for the catholic population. Its towers used to hold canons to protect the cathedral and city from North African and Turkish pirates.
Features of the cathedral include:-
- Battlements
- A polygon shaped apse
- A Baroque tower
- Gothic naves
- Its lovely altarpieces
- Its beautiful sculptures and paintings
- A Renaissance cloister
- The diocesan museum
- The Tomb of Bishop Fernández Villalán
Almeria Cathedral is open weekdays 10am til 5pm and Saturdays 10am til 1pm. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Guided tours are available and there is a shop.
Entrance costs €2
|
