THE VILLAGE
The best way to see Mojácar is to leave the car, in the car park ( Near Football Field) and walk to appreciate the pretty medieval arab arquitecture. From the “Plateform” of the Plaza Nueva we have an impressive view of the Valle de las Piramides. From this we can see that, Mojácar la vieja, the first prehistoric settlement of Mojácar, was built on the side of the river “Aguas”, whose estuary is found on Mojácar beach, this part being a protected area.
In the Square we can find the Ermita de los Dolores dated from the 18C.From here we can reach el The Mirador Castillo, the highest point of the Village. It is really worth spending some time looking at the magnificent view of the Mojácar Coastline. Back down to the square we take the street called “Alcalde Jacinto” up to the Church Santa Maria (1560), originally a fortress made of huge stone slabs, its sober interior open to the public at the usual times of worship.
In front of the church we find the marble statue of the Mojaquera, wearing the typical dress, her face covered in the arab style. She is carrying the water container used to bring the same from the fountain remodelled and retaining. From the 12 old taps we can drink some refreshing water. An important part of Mojácar´s History is written on the Monument.
At the side of the Church we find a stairway leading down to the Plaza del Parterre, which was the old arab cementary. Here is the street En medio which follow the old blindary wall that protected the higher part of the village. We now reach the Town Hall Square , with its magnificent old tree, brought the americas. Walk from here to the City Door ( Puerta de la Almedina, is the arab inscription) with its archway (15th) this shows the coat of arms of Mojácar. At the side of the archway we find Casa del Torreón, the old lodge for paying the taxes to enter the town. Its actual design dates from 18c.From here we arrive in the Plaza de las Flores, into the old Jewish Quarter, with its laberynth of tiny streets. We can return to the archway by way of the streets called Guardia, Puntica, Embajadores, with their beautiful sea views, or take the lower road, Cuesta de la Fuente, a beautiful winding road, to arrive at the old pathway to the Fuente Mora. Fuente ( well), we can catch the local bus, back to Mojácar or to the beach. |
 ITINERARIES
1 THE NATURAL PARK OF CABO OF GATA NIJAR
From Mojácar Pueblo, go down to the beach following the direction of Carboneras. Go along the Mojácar built up coast so as to find on your left Road sign which indicate Torre de Macenas-Torre Del Pirulico. You can penetrate by a little land path to a protected area to practice naturism whereas you can also go on your road to Carboneras, an old village with wide beaches and an important commercial port.
Leaving Carboneras, go along the coast to Agua Amarga. Stop to the marvellous dead beach’s car park to follow your way walking.
Taking your car, continue to Mesa Roldán lighthouse, an important promontory of 220 meters up to the sea. From this place, drive to find Agua Amarge, a small village reaching to a beach recovered of boats and which is yet keeping ruins of mining archaeology (place from where was transported the mineral Lucainena’s old mines.
Leaving Agua Amarga, join the motorway to the charismatic Venta del Pobre level and then take Campo Hermoso-Las Negras exit. While crossing a greenhouse area, enter the Cabo natural park delimitation’s of Gata-Nija to find Rodalquilar where subsist yet left mines of gold.
Then the Amatita´s Miredor give you a fantastic see which brings you divine through the skyline the Isleta del Moro (or d’Arraez), los Escullos, el Pozo de los Fraíles and San Jose; the present day capital of the park (foot, 4&4 or ride itineraries are proposed).
In San Jose, don’t forget to visit the impressive beaches of Genoveses and Monsul. Next the road is interrupted for motor vehicles.
Across the area on foot to the Cabo de Gata’s lighthouse (about 4 hours), or follow your road to Ruescas. You will be amazed to visit the San Miguel salt mine of Cabo de Gata, one of the most beautiful exploitation existing to obtain salt.
The visit of the translation centre of Almoladeras enables a better understanding of the park (the only one in Andalucia to consider a protected “mile marine”.
Thanks to a kind deserted, the park was an enormous rural property in the beginning of the century where were cultivate : these culture needed a bit of water; many watermills are scattering the park to testify of that period.
At the beginning, the neighbourhood on the coast was inhabited by fishermen. Nowadays seafloor and also its natural beauty are kept. As for the flora, it represents more than 1000 different species. Same way the park is a paradise for ornithologist, we can meet more than 80 species of birds only in the salt mine included the pink flamand. There are also other species of animals like the hedgehog, the lizard and the wild boar.
2 SORBAS CAVES AND DESERT
Since Mojácar village go down to the crossroads of Turre and follow the indication on your right of “Los Gallardos”- Almería. Take the motorway to leave it immediately to join Sorbas, Tabernas, Guadix.
Sorbas receives us on a mountain totally isolated and which goes around the Rio Aguas. Its inhabitant are essentially living from agriculture, mainly olive, grapevine and wheat.
Visit El barrio de la Alfarería where you can observe the clay transformation process turned on the loathe . artistic labour of excellent quality.
Sorbas is already known internationally thanks to its natural area which accommodates in its subsoil : one of the best karst complex where you will penetrate its fascinating and nice caves in their natural state.
To Sorbas, follow the road to El Campo de Tabernas where the great desert has been immortalised in several advertisements, clip video and overall westerns (you can see the scenarios : it’s really amazing).
You will also appreciate the zoological reserve which the installation and its large variety of animals will enjoy children like older.
3 TURRE-CABRERA-LOS GALLARDOS-BEDAR
Immediately after Mojácar, you arrive to Turre. This is a welcoming village where the food is good and which is united to Mojácar since antiquity. The parish church, built at the end of the XIXe merits to be visited : it presents an eclectic front facade in 3 levels with a semidetached tower.
On the other hand, you can visit freely the Ermita of San Francisco de Asis (XVIe). Since Turre, visit the sierra Cabrera following the indication of Cortijo Grande-Cortijo Cabrera situated about 400 metres before the famous Puente Vaquero.
La Sierra de Cabrera culminates to approximately the 900 meters on the top of the sea. The hispano-musulman village were abandoned a night of the year 1569 when moors have run out in Africa. Cortijo Grande is exceptional for his golf course. In the Sierra de Cabrera we can see different trees (pine groove, groove of holm oaks) unique in the littoral of Almería as much its variety as its area. You can find : Migrating falcon, eagle, owl, little owl, whitethroat, the sierra star, tortoise, specie threatened and protected. the torréon de sierra Cabrera is a square tower built with ashlar with a high door and squares windows. In the interior, you can observe the great barrel vault. Cortijo Cabrera owns bowling and houses fit in the hill.
Then, go across the sierra and abandon Cortijo Cabrera on your left to arrive on the Torre Cabrera propriety (dotted with orange trees). Godown to Turre to lead you from Los Gallardos, a small farming village situated at the beginning of the Sierra de Bedar dated of the XVIIe, owns a magnificent watch. The way of the fountain leads you from Serena where the old Arab church , subsequently stuffed mill is tacked by several gardens and Arab oven. You can take the direction of Campico Bedar El Marchal and Lubrin. If you want follow the direction of the Gallardos, Turre and Mojácar.
4 GARRUCHA-VERA-CUEVAS DE ALMANZORA
From Mojácar, follow the direction to Garrucha and you will see along the coast the Marine Torre golf course owned by Palacio de Los Chavarri.
You also pass through protected lagoons of Rio Aguas to finally arrive in Garrucha. The small town was a fishmonger’s and we fished at the Torre de la Garrucha where a well was.
Since the end of the XVe during the three following centuries, Vera and Mojácar have been confronted about the territorial delimitation. The dilemma ended in the XVIIIe when small town independent of the two countries was built. In 1994, both the village have accepted a cession of territories so as to make Garrucha bigger.
Its highest points are the commerce and fish harbour but also its magnificent earthwork in marble of Macaël, the iglesia Parochial de San Joaquin and the Ermita Del Carmen (patroness of fishermen).
Then continue your road to Vera´s urban centre which extends along 5 km of beach (one part is dedicated to naturism).
The 9 of November 1518, a terrible earthquake destroyed the old city which were on the Espiritú Santo hill.
Thanks to Charles 1st intervention, the city was rebuilt during the first part of the XVI e century. The VIIIe Iglesia Parochial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was used as a fortress and its already keeps a baroque retable.
As the town hall, it was built at the end of the XVI century (beginning of XVIIe).
From Vera, take the direction of the Cuevas Del Almanzora, an older nice village a genuine archaeological museum with several remains (a real Eden for historians). Cuevas is present all along 4 kilometres of coast to join Murcia.
You will find beaches which will enjoy everyone; opened and peaceful like those of Palomares and Villaricos, steer in Calón and Cala de las Conchas. Eventually longe Mojácar coast, an unforgettable show. |