Archaeology

Conjunto Arqueológico de Villavieja (Archaeological Team for Villavieja)

Standing on a table top hill, approximately 3km to the Southwest of Berja and dominating the Beneji neighbourhood are the ruins of the imposing Alcazaba de Villavieja. It occupies a privileged position over the fertile lands surrounding the area and at its’ feet lie the few remaining traces of an ancient amphitheatre left from Roman times. In fact, it is only the second Alcazaba in the Province of Almería, and one of only seven Roman amphitheatres in the region of Andalucia. This is one of the few B.I.C (Bien de Interés Cultural – Significant Cultural Interest Sites), in Almería, granted this status in 1987. 
The Alcazaba (Citadel) is one of the most important ruins from Islamic Berja, which was formed by numerous settlements or townships set amongst the fertile lands. At the time the local administration of the Alpujarra district was centred on the fortress (the Alcazaba). It also served as a temporary refuge for those living nearby.  In spite of its’ strategic location, the Alcazaba was also surrounded by a wall. This was almost completely destroyed by the Christians during the first Moorish uprisings to prevent its further use as a fortress. The walls covered a distance of 1300m and were constructed using the Spanish/Muslim technique ‘tapial’ (packed dirt, sand and lime), with a thickness of 2m wide by 7m high.
This area has seen three distinct construction phases: The first was seen during the ninth century, coinciding with a period of unrest. In the second construction phase a compound was added to the top enclosure and represents the implementation of Calif Jurisdiction (A Calif - successors of Mohammed as rulers of the Islamic world, the title being later assumed by the Sultans of Turkey) in the region and subsequently that of the Kingdom of Almería (C. XI). The third phase was seen during the middle of the twelfth century when a more elaborate defensive system was put in place to help protect the Eastern principle entrance to the compound. Additionally a water tower was built to protect the water supply from the ‘Fuente de la Rana’ natural spring.

 

 

The summit of the compound is dominated by a small defensive fortress with its’ accompanying water deposits / cisterns and is joined to the general structure. It is rectangular in shape reinforced with rectangular towers at each corner.
Inside the walled compound a vast area of 7.5 hectares is covered. The details of the urban area are almost impossible to follow, with only small amounts of evidence found, such as the existence of a terraced community, adapted to the contours of the land.
The area has been the subject of much recent investment, restoration and upgrading with the aim of improving its value and aesthetics (conditions, lighting etc, improved access and care of the local environment).

Necrópolis Musulmana del Portón de Villavieja (Muslin Necropolis at the Inner Door of Villavieja)

Recently discovered, this appears to be a cemetery from the Almohad Era. So far, 112 graves at half height and distributed between two tombs have been documented. They date back to the 12th Century.

Baños Árabes de Benejí (Arabian Baths of Benejí)

Of the three known Arabian baths from the middle ages, today only the ruins of one have been conserved. When entering the area of Beneji, a small track can be followed which leads to a vaulted building of a simple design. Over a millennia in age, sadly only the areas of the ‘cold baths’ have been salvaged and conserved.