 | Mojácar´s unmistakeable silhoutte, clinging to the hillside gives the distant traveller a tantalising glimpse of the beauty within; Mojácar is the town which best expresses the very essence of Eastern Almería.
The Moorish character of the town is evident in its narrow, steep and winding streets, in the whitewashed walls of its houses, and in the colourful flowers that embellish their façades. This is a town to lose yourself in, a place where, through countless small details, the past whispers to those who listen.
In Moorish times, the town was called Muxacra and it was a place where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in harmony. Today it is still an open, cosmopolitan town accustomed to welcoming visitors from all over the world. In the unique setting of Mojácar, it is easy to feel instantly at home and enjoy the hospitality of its people. Both the Valle de las Pirámides and Mojácar la vieja, site of the prehistoric settlement, situated in the river Aguas valley, can be seen from the Mirador in Plaza Nueva.
La Cuesta del Castillo leads us to Plaza del Castillo, the highest part of the town affording marvellous views of the sea. Originally the site of the old castle, of which nothing remains, it is now home to the Centro de Arte or arts Centre, which holds interesting art exhibitions.
Plaza Parterre beneath, which a Muslim cemetery has been discovered, is presided by the fortified church of Santa María. The church was built after the Christian reconquest of the city. Next to the church is the statue of La Mojaquera, holding typically Arab veil between her teeth.
Having passed through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its centuries-old ancient tree brought from America, we arrive at the Puerta de la Ciudad or Puerta de la Almedina, gate, the only gate in the 16th Century town walls.
Adjacent to the Puerta de la Ciudad is the former 18th-Century Casa del Torreon, a toll house for collecting “gate taxes”. Outside is the Arrabal, or extramural quarter, which was probably home to Mojácar’s Jewish community.
The Fuente Mora fountain, also known as Fuente Pública, dates back to Moorish times. In the past, the town´s woman-folk used the water from its 12 spouts to do their laundry.
Leaving the attractions of the town aside, let us now turn towards the sea. Mojácar, with 17 kilometres of beaches offers something for everyone, quiet or lively beaches, resort or unspoilt beaches, large uninterrupted strands or sheltered bays.
Adjacent to Garrucha is Marina de la Torre whose excellent beach is complemented by unequalled hotel services, all a stone´s throw away from a golf course. Further to the west, next to the river Aguas´estuary and parallel to the Paseo del Mediterráneo, we find La Rumina beach offering everything from beach bars to watersports.
The beaches of El Descargador, El Cantal, Cueva del Lobo and Las Ventanicas are all part of Mojácar Playa. These beaches are all within resort areas and so offer the widest range of services.
For a relaxing time in the sun, we recommend the beaches between Castillo de Macenas castle, built on the coast in the 18th Century, and La Granatilla, bordering with Carboneras; this is the place to discover Mojácar´s most natural stretch of coastline. | |
Macenas beach, occupying the stretch of shore between the castle of the same name and Torre del Peñón tower, gives unrivalles views of the coast. Next is Sombrerico beach, reached either on foot or by car along an unmade track. It has been used as a natural setting in numerous films and its beautiful, calm surroundings act as a kind of introduction to the spectacular scenery awaiting us further south, from Cala Bordenarescore, a diver´s paradise, to the cove of Cala Granatilla, reached either on foot or by car from the Sopalmo quarter.
Mojácar is much more than just sun and sand, the borough contains natural sites of great interest, most notably Sierra Cabrera whose foothills are home to numrous species of birds and reptiles.
The coastline´s wetlands are a habitat for several species of birds, both native and migratory such as ducks, herons and cormorants while Río Abajo, an area made up of lagoons that have formed in the river Aguas estuary, is a valuable habitat for water-fowl. Moreover, the North African Testudo, a species of tortoise in danger of extinction, is also found in the area surrounding Mojácar.
Mojácar also offers an infinite range of sports and active leisure pursuits, including golf Marina Golf Mojácar and in neighbouring Turre.
Turre, on the banks of the river Aguas, combines the mountainous scenery of Sierra Cabrera with fertile farmland. The Latin place name “Turris”, meaning tower, alludes to an ancient watchtower raised in the area. The area consists of dispersed settlements Cabrera and Santa Teresa both boast prehistoric remains and were founded during the Al-Andalus period. Interesting archaeological remains have also been found in Cuevas de la Palmera and Cuevas de los Murciélagos caves as well as in the Argaric settlement of Gata, on Cerro del Castellón hill.
The origins of present-day Turre date from a hamlet founded by Muslims when they were forced to leave Mojácar after the Reconquest. In times of Philip II, the hamlet was repopulated by Christians.
The mosque’s minaret, the 12th Century cisterns and the very street plan of the town which clearly follows Moorish principles, are all witnesses to Turre´s Andalusi past. Other places of interest to visit are the 16th-Century shrine of San Francisco de Asís and the parish church.
This rural setting offers many different activities, from hiking in the surrounding countryside and visiting beauty spots such as Yesos in la Umbría de Sierra Cabrera, to golf in Cortijo Grande. | |