Area Guide for Viator, AlmeriaIntroduction:Located within ten kilometers from Almería’s self-named capital city, Viator is within easy reach of the larger city of Almería. The lure of city life has led to a slight increase in Viator’s population over the past few years. People want to live near the city without having to deal with the city traffic. Viator offers all the benefits of Almería while living in a smaller town. Bus and taxi service allows residents to reach the larger city without needing to drive in the rush hour traffic.
At the time, different government websites differ on the area’s population. While the government lists the town’s population at almost 4,000 people, the town’s website states the population as being 2,900. For the purpose of this article, the government statistics are being used.
History:Viator extends from the Alhamilla mountain range to the Andarax River. Though there is evidence of occupation by the Moors, there is little written documentation until the times of the Christians. In 1489, Catholic kings’ armies attacked and conquered the town. By the late 1500s, the town was abandoned. With no residents, it seemed certain that Viator’s history was over. Realizing the need for repopulation, Catholic kings began offering Spaniards free or inexpensive land or housing in exchange for the people’s efforts in rebuilding Spain’s empty towns.
Though the Andarax River bordered the town, it was too far down in the gorge to use for irrigation. Instead, a hydraulic system was established to collect and store any water that fell during infrequent rain or that pooled underground. This system worked, but it was not enough. In the late 1600s, Viator joined the Real Population of Granada, a move that gave permission to tap into the public water source for a certain number of hours per day. These systems allowed farmers to water their fields and grow the crops critical to their livelihood.
During the 1700s, an elaborate water system was constructed. The Source of the Pachina proved to be successful at bringing water to the town and outlying fields.
During the 1800s, the town residents brought plenty of revenue to the town by mining the outlying mountains. Rich in mineral deposits, the mountains proved to be reliable sources of income. Later that century, floods would leave much of the town in ruin. Rebuilding the town became an expensive, yet necessary, task.
Today, the town is still growing strong. It has seen defeat, but it is also triumphed. As one of Almería’s prettiest suburb towns, Viator offers a nice place to stay, inexpensive shopping, and excellent transportation.
Site Seeing:Celebration of the Longaniza is Viator’s key celebration. Tourists from around the world flock to the town every October to take part in the elaborate celebration. Concerts, parades, piñatas, theatrical performances, games, fireworks, and elaborate dinners are the key elements in this celebration.
The breathtaking 18th century Iglesia of the Virgin of Angustias was built for Bishop Don Claudius Sanz. This historic building is an intriguing site with period features galore.
Industry:Viator offers a strong blend of manufacturing, small business, and tomato and lemon farming. The warm climate and fertile soil provides fantastic conditions for these delightful crops. Lemon trees flourish in the area and are staples in much of the area’s cuisine.
At last count, two area restaurants and one inn provide a base for the area’s tourism market. While these establishments provide a few jobs and some of the town’s revenue, they are not in the majority. Automotive repair shops are plentiful, but few bring more than a couple jobs to the town. Many auto repair shop owners work alone.
Of the area’s main businesses, most employ less than twenty people. For this reason, many of the almost 4,000 residents commute to Almería for employment. With Almería less than ten kilometers away, the commute is easy.
Gastronomy:Rich dishes make up the mainstay of the town’s cuisine. Lemons, tomatoes, garlic, and oranges grow well in the soil. Excellent irrigation systems help keeps the crops watered, even in times of intense sun.
Dishes revolve around fowl, pork, beef, and even seafood. Fish drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil is grilled to perfection. Stews mixing tomatoes, meat, potatoes, and garlic are also common. It is common for meals to be served with fresh loaves of bread. Glasses of locally made wine grace many tables at dinnertime.
For dessert, lemon and almond cakes are common. With almonds, lemons, oranges, and figs available throughout the region, the majority of desserts involve fresh fruits.
Nightlife:You may find a bar or two in Viator, but for the majority of your nightlife, you will want to head to Almería. Almería has many nightclubs, restaurants, theatres, and bars from which you can choose. Viator does offer two area restaurants. They are not fancy, but should satisfy your needs in time of hunger.Summary:While Viator may not appeal to many tourists, it is an excellent place for those looking to move to Spain. It is near enough the city that it offers public transportation, a necessary component to may lifestyles. Viator is also separated by a few kilometers so that the cost of housing is lower and traffic noise is reduced.
Viator is a sleepy suburb town that deserves a second glance. You will love the locals and be pleasantly surprised by the scenery.
Useful Business Links for Viator:Do you offer a service in this area? If so, why not put a link here directly to your website. Contact Ask Olive today. |
