Area Guide for Cantoria, AlmeriaIntroduction:
Cantoria is situated in the northern section of the province of Almería. The population of 3,500 residents thrives in the mountainous region. Originally, the area housed many cattle ranchers, but the steep mountain slopes led to difficulties and farmers turned to other industries in hopes of making much needed cash.
Cantoria’s scenery is amazing. Hues of green from ground to treetops take many visitors by surprise. The dazzling scenery is enough to take your breath away.
History:Cantoria’s difficult location made it an impenetrable fortress. Many of the buildings in the town were constructed by the Romans and then the Moors. Typically, the Christians claimed the area in the late 1400s and destroyed some of the exceptional homes. Unfortunately, a major earthquake in the 1500s left much of the remaining area in ruins. Thankfully, a few of the beautiful manors and castles survived.
As Cantoria sits in the middle of the Almanzora region, it spent many centuries virtually ignored. The area was surrounded by mountains, and the high altitude made it an area that merchants tended to avoid.
The town truly came to life in the 1800s when communication methods began to improve. No longer sheltered from the world, Cantoria’s population met with reasonable growth and limited tourism.
Floods in the latter part of 1870 and 1891 destroyed much of the town’s growth. Instead of returning to agriculture, power plants were constructed near the banks of the Almanzora River.
Today, Cantoria is a small community that does well in spite of its difficult location.
Site Seeing:Built in the 17th century, Parrish Church of The Virgin received many upgrades to retain the building’s structural integrity. Impressive spires, tower, and belfry areas add to the church’s appeal. This is one of the town’s most beautiful buildings.
Cantoria la Vieja is the structure that remains from the old section of town. The old water storage systems and some of the town walls remain for tourists to view and photograph.
The Palace of Almanzora is a huge manor house with glorious rooms and architectural details. Once home to the Marquesses, it is one of the area’s greatest sites.
Built in 1926, Saavedra Theatre has received many renovations throughout the years. The theatre was originally used for movies. Today, the preserved building holds many town functions.
Enjoy the weekly open-air market on Wednesday mornings. The market opens at 9:00 A.M. and closes at 2:00 P.M. Many excellent bargains can be discovered at this market. Locally grown produce is the key focus in this open-air market.
Industry:Cantoria offers exceedingly fertile soil. Chickpeas, rye, and grapes thrive in the rich loam. For this reason, wine is an impressive contribution to the economy. Hot sunny days and the nutrient rich soil allow vines to produce ample amounts of grapes every year.
Marble is another contributor to the area’s revenue. Cantoria houses one of Spain’s largest marble quarries. The area’s plentiful marble supplies allow the rock to be cut and sold to other towns and countries.
The nearby power plant also brings a few jobs to the area. Many residents are able to find work locally, which makes the town appealing to many.
Gastronomy:In Spain, the main meal of the day is eaten in the afternoon. Dishes usually include poultry, beef, pork, or seafood and involve garlic, olive oil, wine, herbs, potatoes, chickpeas, and a slew of fresh vegetables.
Cantorian cuisine is typical of what is found in the Almerían region. Chicken can be slowly cooked with sherry, mushrooms, onions, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, and olive oil. Fish is mixed with cubed potatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, thyme, red wine, olive oil, bay leaves, and paprika and baked slowly.
Top a meal off with a pitcher of homemade sangria and a caramel flan for dessert. The food in Spain is both rich and rewarding. You will not leave Cantoria hungry!
Nightlife:A number of local bars offer nightly entertainment for active partiers. The bars may or may not have live music from time to time, but you are guaranteed a pleasant conversation with the locals.
Beers are cold, wine is scrumptious, and the friendly chats are not to be missed. You can head to larger cities for entertainment, but many insist you will have far more fun sticking to Cantoria’s own bars and restaurants.
Summary:The charm and appeal of Cantoria cannot be denied. Many visitors have arrived looking for a quick lunch before moving on to other areas, and ended up looking to buy permanent housing. The town lures you in and holds you captive from the first moment. Cantoria is a perfect location for delightful cuisine, lazy afternoons, and friendly neighbours. Cantoria is your home away from home.Useful Business Links for Cantoria:Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today. |
