Tourist Attractions

Almería is the eastern province of Andalucía. It is a land of contrast, which offer the History, the weather and the modern infrastructures of the SE coast of Andalucia. This region was the last to be left by the Muslim rulers in Spain only five hundred years ago, so it preserves much of their legacy and its moorish enchantment.

History

The cosmopolitan spirit is the result of an historic heritage of more than 10.000 years. Los Millares and El Argar sites are very good representatives of Bronce Age culture. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Greeks explored its mines and used to trade in its coasts. Rome transformed Almería into the Mediterraenan Porto Magnus. During the 10th Century, the Arabs settled the present provincial capital where one of the most important Taifas reigns of the Muslim Spain would have its centre. Witness of this legacy is the spectacular Alcazaba Castle, with the best view of Almería city. Almería has a large number of interesting monuments:

· Alcazaba Palace (955 Abd-ar Raman III).
· Murallas de San Cristobal's Walls (1.147).
· Bullfight ring (1888) beautifull in the August fair.
· Purchena's Door (heart of the city and through which entered the Catholic King and Queen on January 26th 1489, after the conquest).
· San Sebastian Church, new ramblas.
· La Chanca quarter of islamic origin below Alcazaba Palace.
· Constitution Square and it's Coloraos monument.
· Las Claras church.
· Las Puras church.
· The Cathedral (1524).
· The Santo Domingo Church, where we can find la Virgen del Mar (1502).
· Calle Real main ancient street, the public market, the railway Station, etc.





Culture/Art

Museums and Monuments

· Almería Museum
· Claustro de la Escuela de Artes


Festivals

· First Sunday, Pilgrimage to Torregarcía hermitage on the bay (January)
· Wise Kings Calvacade (January)
· Carnival (February)
· Holy Week (March)
· Day of the Cross. Popular celebration. (May)
· Virgen del Carmen. Mass and thanksgiving at the port. (July)
· Celebration week in honour of Virgen del Mar. Bullfighting. (August)
· Celebration of conquest of Almería. (December)