Area Guide for Albox, AlmeriaIntroduction:The attractive town of Albox is becoming extremely popular with both tourists and immigrants. Albox is a rural town that sits approximately 130 kilometers from the city of Almería and Almería’s airport. In the past five years, the population has risen by 2,000 people.
Families will find the area is well suited to both adults and children. A twenty-four hour medical centre provides around the clock care, and a major hospital facility is a short drive away. Schools are excellent and the job market is more than adequate.
History:Albox sits in the Almanzora River basin between the Filabres, Almagro, and Almagrera Mountain ranges. The mountainsides once hid tremendous silver lodes. This made the area desirable to many. The Phoenicians were the first to populate this town. They mined the silver and used it for trade or sale to the Greeks and Asians. As their culture fizzled out, other cultures had their turn. Artifacts offer evidence of residence by Greeks, Romans, and the Moors. During the time of the Moors, they established many buildings using their traditional whitewashed style that kept homes cool in spite of the blistering sun.
After the Moors were driven our or massacred by Christians, the town’s population dwindled. Efforts were established to rebuild it, but a massive earthquake destroyed the majority of the homes and buildings. Before the town would see a new page in history, buildings had to be restored or completely rebuilt in most cases. Tragedy struck again in the 1800s when an intense flood destroyed most of the eastern section of the town. For this reason, Albox may have a lengthy history, but most of it does not show up in the area’s buildings and architectural styles.
Site Seeing:On Tuesday mornings, traffic is closed to vehicles and the streets fill with vendors from all over the area. You can buy clothing, blankets, rugs, specialty meats, handcrafted cheeses, wines, and more during this weekly sale. Prices are outstanding, so do not pass up the opportunity!
Two well-established pottery factories carry on their ancestral tradition of creating ornate ceramics. If you can, visit these factories and be sure to purchase a vase, bowl, or other handcrafted item.
If you want recreation, you will find there are many hiking trails scattered throughout the region. There is also an extensive sports complex that houses a huge swimming pool and a variety of other activities.
Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones, also known as Sanctuary of the Projection, is a gorgeous eighteenth century church with impressive architectural details. Claimed to have once housed more than 100 men and women stricken with yellow fever, the name seems extremely fitting.
There are two major festivals in Albox every year. One festival occurs in September. This weeklong celebration honours the Virgin of the Projection. The other celebration occurs in the end of October. This festival is really a street fair with dancing, musical performances, elaborate food booths, and parades. Either event draws a huge crowd!
The sixteenth century Parochial Church of Santa Maria offers elaborate chapels, but the altarpiece vanished centuries ago. The mystery behind the missing altarpiece does pique some interest.
The remains of the Moorish fortress are visible from the streets below. The fortress is in a state of ruins, but many find the ruins to be intriguing photography subjects.
The eighteenth century Hermitage of San Antonio is built on the remains of the former mosque. Tourists enjoy this site’s interior murals.
Albox’s Seat of the Town is another 18th century building. The elaborate balconies and gorgeous structure draw many visitors.
Industry:Albox is a commercial town with many stores, artists, and even a few small factories. The main contributors to the area’s economy, nonetheless, are cattle farming and agriculture.
Lemon trees thrive in the rich soil. Other crops that do well are oranges, limes, almonds, potatoes, tomatoes, and many grains.
Gastronomy:The area cuisine revolves around locally grown produce, wild game, poultry, pork, beef, and citrus fruits. Paellas made with a variety of meats, rice, vegetables, and rice is common. For dessert, cookies made from almond flour and then dipped in honey are also available. The food in this area is normally heart healthy as wine and olive oil flow steadily from the kitchen to the table. Expect meals to be light and delightful.Nightlife:Despite its growth, Albox does not offer a slew of nightly activities. In the summer months, you can attend outdoor theatrical presentations. There is also a bar or two and one area restaurant that may suit your needs.
If you need dance club activities, you will need to head to outlying areas.
Summary:Albox is growing at a steady pace. With an increase in the population, mainly Brits, the area should begin to offer more activities in the very near future. With housing still inexpensive and an expanding tourism market, Albox is shaping up to be an excellent choice for both visitors and immigrants.Useful Business Links for Albox:Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today. |
