Area Guide for Serón, AlmeriaIntroduction:North of the capital city Almería, Serón sits close to the province of Almería’s border. Many of the area’s homes are firmly attached to the northern slopes of the Filabres Mountains on which they sit. Foundations are often part of the mountain.
Close to 130 kilometers from the capital city Almería, Serón is a quite white town with a few schools and a health centre. Those looking for work often commute to outlying regions.
History:Paleolithic cave structures found within Serón give evidence of occupation by settlers during the Paleolithic times. Many examples of pottery done during this age have been discovered within the cave system.
As time passed, many cultures found their way to Serón. The mountainsides were rich in iron and other metals, so those metals were used in many common applications from tools to weapons.
When the Moors entered Serón, they created strong fortresses high on the slopes to allow them to see attackers before they neared the town. The Moors did an exceptional job of turning Serón into a successful town where metalworkers could bring in necessary supplies through trade and sale. The Moors also helped shape much of the area’s culinary style with their use of wheat and water in many stews.
In the 1500s, Christian armies conquered the Moors. The town suffered a serious population decline. Many decades would pass before Serón found its population recovering. Homes and buildings would need repair, and this took even more time.
Today, Serón is a small town with a steady population. The job market is not fantastic, but many residents are able to find work close by. Tourism also lacks high numbers, but a few do make their way into the town on a yearly basis.
Site Seeing:Every July, the latest round of cured hams (Jamón) set the stage for a celebration surrounding this delicacy. The cured ham is served in massive amounts to willing people.
Between the months of November and February, Cultural Serón brings theatrical performances to the area. Music concerts, plays, operas, dances, and many other artistic displays take centre stage. This is an excellent way to spend a cool winter’s evening.
The Moorish Castle of Serón offers impressive lines and breathtaking views of the town below. From the high slopes, you can see for miles around. The Castle of Serón is in relatively good shape considering its age.
Industry:Construction is currently on of Seron’s largest industries. Close to 5% of the population’s 2,400 residents are employed within the town’s many construction firms.The other large industries revolve around the processing of pork. The higher elevation makes it a perfect place for Spain’s famous air-cured hams. Eleven meat plants within Serón make sausages, process organ meats, cure the pork (Jamón), and slaughter the animals. These plants employ another 5% of the town’s population.
The town also houses a number of automotive repair shops, a few inns, and a restaurant. These industries present a few jobs to those within the town. Most others either work for area farms or commute to outlying areas.
Agriculture plays a small part in earning town revenue. Barley, olives, and almonds are prominent crops.
Gastronomy:Many residents within Serón hunt game for meals. Dove, rabbit, and partridge are all commonly found in the area. Rabbit is commonly stewed in red wine with garlic, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The same is true for dove and partridge. Stews are easy to prepare, require little preparation and can be slow cooked for hours without much fuss.
Sadly, many traditional recipes are often overlooked due to time constraints. As more families work, people have less time to spare within their kitchen. This is true in many areas throughout the world, and it is not necessarily a good thing! Dietary changes are leading to expanding waistlines and general health changes.
For this reason, it is an excellent idea to pull out some of the older recipes and dive into meals from Séron’s past. Hormigos is a filling dish that contains blood sausage, garlic sausage, and jamón that is cooked in tomatoes, onions, potatoes, red peppers, and garlic. The sauce is thickened with flour and water.
Fried Milk is a common dessert. Milk, eggs, and sugar are turned into extremely thick custard. The custard is poured into a pan and allowed to cool. Next, the custard squares are dipped in egg and then breaded with fine crumbs. These squares are fried until golden and served while hot.
Nightlife:Serón is home to a couple small bars that serve the needs of locals and tourists. Expect the bar staff to speak Spanish only.
There are a few small restaurants where you can dine before going to the local bars. Beyond that, there are no huge dance clubs or cinemas.
Summary:Serón has a certain charm that draws repeat visits from travellers. If you have been to Serón once, you are certain to return. You will be back to eat more succulent jamón.
The enjoyable climate, not too cool and not too hot, fresh air, and friendly locals ensure your visit is most enjoyable. You can come to Serón with a stressed mind, but you will leave feeling like a completely new person.
Useful Business Links for Serón:Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today. |
