Area Guide for Enix, AlmeriaIntroduction:The past decade has seen the municipality of Enix grow ever so slightly. Five years ago, the town’s population averaged 280 residents, today there are 320. This is not a major change, but it does show that many foreigners are moving to the town in search of affordable housing for retirement purposes.
Situated in the Gádor Mountain range, Enix is located almost twenty-five kilometers west of Almería. Rail service is available in nearby towns, but to reach Enix, one must rent a car or hire a taxi.
History:This pristine white town certainly dates back to the Moors. However, there is little evidence proving or disproving settlements in the prehistoric times. A series of caverns offer credibility to the belief that the area may have been settled centuries before the Moors, but no artifacts have been found to prove people did live here. In the 1480s, Catholic kings opted to claim all of Southern Spain as their own property. They developed powerful armies to overthrow Moorish leaders. They met with incredible success, but the resulting battles destroyed many towns. Surviving Moors fled the area leaving most of Southern Spain deserted. Suddenly, the kings realised they needed to repopulate the southern areas. This process took decades. The battle in Enix was one of Southern Spain’s bloodiest. Thousands died during these battles. Moorish women and children were forced into slavery if they did not successfully escape before being captured. Finally, in the 1750s, the town’s population was back to normal. Agriculture became the town’s main industry, with cattle ranching taking second place in popularity.Site Seeing:Built in the Mudéjar style, the Parochial Church of the Virgin of the Rosary is a highlight. The caisson ceilings and impressive structural details draw in large crowds. The church has undergone minor structural improvements, but the building itself is original and dates back to the sixteenth century.
The Parochial Church of St. Teresa is the creation of a famed 18th century builder. Juan Antonio Munar designed the impressive church and construction was completed in 1778.
The Mines of the Carmen are now in a state of ruins, but they still draw quite a few tourists to the area. Nearby, the Zarba rain tank is an ancient water storage system that remains in excellent condition given its age.
Farther up the mountainside sits the “Rock of the Hat.” This natural formation displays a large rock that has a smaller rock, shaped much like a hat, sitting on top of it.
Beach of the Palmer is located on the outskirts of Enix. This gorgeous beach is clean, well maintained and a main activity with people of all ages. Piagua, a company involved in farm raising seafood, has agreed to offer tours of their plant.
In August, the town celebrates the return of the foreigner. Many emigrants are reaching retirement age and returning to their birthplace to spend the rest of their life. Dancing, music, and other festive events turn one August weekend into a memorable event.
Industry:Agriculture is Enix’s largest contributor to the area’s economy. Potatoes, chickpeas, olives, and almonds are the four largest crops.
There are no schools in the area, so children are sent to neighbouring communities, and most parents commute to other towns for work. Almería is the nearest large city that offers working residents with plenty of job opportunities.
Gastronomy:Due to the excellent tomato, garlic, almond, and chickpea harvests, the gastronomy revolves around these staples. Stews often include poultry cooked in a rich tomato broth packed with garlic, herbs, and chickpeas.
Area restaurants tend to fry many foods after coating them in batters heavy with garlic. Fried items are often sautéed in olive oil. The rich tasting foods are succulent and satisfying.
Nightlife:Four restaurants and bars in Enix are open until late night. Two are bar/taverns that offer cold beers, delicious wines, and quick, inexpensive meals. The bars are usually packed with the friendly locals. Both bars draw in a decent crowd every night. Do not visit these bars without sampling fried rabbit, garlic fried chicken, or garlic sausage.
Two other restaurants are family friendly and offer excellent local cuisine. Chinguirito is located on the Beach of the Palmer. It is more of a casual café. Prices are a little higher, but you are paying for the sea views and convenience to the beach. Dishes are easily taken outside to eat. Seafood is a specialty with grilled fish and fried conch being popular selections.
Restaurant of the Three Legs is a full-service restaurant. Meals here include both seafood and a variety of meats. The pork ribs or the codfish stewed in tomato both receive excellent reviews.
Summary:Enix is growing in popularity. With such a low population, the locals wholeheartedly enjoy sharing their small town with visitors. Treat them with respect and take pleasure in learning about their culture firsthand.
Enjoy Enix while it is still small. As the town continues to expand, you know for sure it is a matter of time until the town is another busy tourist destination.
Useful Business Links for Enix:Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today. |
