The village of Mojacar sits at the foot of the Sierra Cabrera overlooking the Mediterranean and the Levante coastline.
Due to the fascinating contrast between cultures in Mojacar it is very easy to forget everything to do with the outside world. Its front facing the Mediterranean is a permanent mixture of two cultures. The Moslem influence continues to inspire its architecture and its cooking. You can also feel it in the plazas and backstreets of the village. Young artists and artisans absorb the spirit of those who initially gave their names to the streets here
Mojacar Pueblo
In Mojacar everything is related to a past which survives in the present on the mountain as well as by the sea. On the beach, domes and minarets form a white silhouette against the blueness of the sky; everything illuminated by a sun which glows for some 3,000 hours each years. These domes and minarets represent just a sample of the new leisure culture which is emerging in Mojacar.
An almost superstitious respect has been maintained for the way in which the Muslem masters did things; from the construction of the official hotel to the other buildings in the village, architects have managed to retain the true Mojacar spirit. Artists, writers and musicians all agree that Mojacar can be a great source of inspiration. As a result the latter have remained in Mojacar to live, as have thousand of other people of all different nationalities. And why have so many people chosen to live here? Because the language spoken in Mojacar is international. It is a language representing the beauty of life, a beauty of life found when walking in the Sierras, when climbing down the steep cliffs or when strolling, bare footed in the sand through caves and beaches. Mojacar has managed to adapt its beauty and form what must now be regarded as a new Mediterranean Culture.
Position
Mojacar rises above the sea at a point where the south and the east of the Iberian Peninsula blend together. The capital of the province is some 90 kilometres away. You can reach it by taking the N 340 or for those who prefer the rough country then there's the coastal route which passes through Carboneras and Nijar.
Murcia is about 135 kilometres away. A motorway running along the Mediterranean
will take you in no time at all to any point on the Eastern coast or to
Catalunia. The construction of a road which will link Andalucia to Madrid and to
the North of Spain will, in the near future, facilitate communications even
further.
Flights to Madrid and Barcelona leave every day from airports in Almeria and
Alicante. In addition there are regular departures to most European capitals.
Climate
The fact that Mojacar enjoys some 3.000 hours of sun per year means that the
average temperature is about 20Cº. Winter is practically non-existent. It passes
as if it were Spring with the sea temperature higher than thatcoastline of
Mojacar Playa Costa de Almeria Spain on land. A swim in the sea at this time of
year is therefore a relaxing and pleasurable experience.
Mojacar's special climate makes the summers appear mild compared with the rest
of the South East. The refreshing summers evenings here in Mojacar are just made
for a relaxing moonlight stroll along the beach for the summer in Mojacar brings
a cool breeze which mellows the temperature.
The Indalo Man
When you get to Mojacar, you'll feel safe. The Indalo's protection will be with
you, wherever you go. You will find this anthropomorphic symbol in the most
unexpected corners of Mojacar; painted on walls, forged in iron or hanging
inside houses. The genie who upholds a rainbow from both ends protects its owner
from storms and cataclysms of nature.
Mojacar Symbol
The origin of the symbol goes back to the prehistory of the region.Today it is
immediately recognized as the symbol of Almeria and, in particular of Mojacar.
Since the founders of the "Indalo" left the region, the lands surrounding
Mojacar have been populated by almost all Mediterranean Cultures.
Greek, Phoenician and Roman remnants are scattered here and there. However those
who had the strongest roots were the Moslems who gave both name and Spirit to
today's Mojacar. The formation of the houses and streets; in the customs of its
people; its food; the manner in which the elder members of the community dress,
everything has a strong North African flavour. Today, Mojacar is looking ahead.
It is conserving and strengthening an identity strongly rooted in the past.
Developement
Development here in Mojacar, urban and tourist as well social and cultural is
carried out with the strictest respect to the Mojacar way of being and living.
Mojacar is the centre of a large zone, rich in attractions. The small hamlets
which are to be found around the village offer a varied range of options to the
visitor.
In Sorbas, lovers of pot holing have the biggest pot holing complex in Europe.
The Tabernas desert is a must as many of the great adventure films of the last
twenty years have been filmed there in its lunar landscape.
There is nothing to compare with it in the old continent.
Along the Aguas River bed to its outlet in Mojacar there are a series of
perennial lakes which house many groups of indigenous animals. What's more,
zoologists and ornithologists alike regard the fauna here with interest and
priority.
Neighbouring Garrucha with its commercial fishing port where one can also
practice marine sports, is yet another of the attractions on offer in Mojacar.
Also by paying a brief visit to the two natural parks in Cabo de Gata and in the
Sierra de Maria one can appreciate the unusual landscape and form of the region.
Mojacar is proud of its architecture. Today's building methods in the village
have their roots firmly based in the theories used by those wise Moslems, all
those Centuries ago; theories which helped them to create what are to us today
architectural delights. White is the dominant colour. It hangs from the mountain
in Cube forms and ladders. Surrounded by domes and minarets it outlines the blue
of the sky, all along the coast. The council of Mojacar has controlled the
amount of construction in the village in order to conserve the beauty of the
environment and at the same time allow extensions to be carried out
Architecture Mojacar
Within the village itself, buildings must not exceed two floors and for hotels,
the limit is three. However, controlling the amount of construction in Mojacar
hasn't been the most important factor in conserving the nature of the village.
Architects and builders, alike, the majority of whom have lived in Mojacar for
years, have managed to captivate so clearly the spirit of Mojacar, thus making
it impossible to differentate betweeen what is new and what is old in the
village.
Inland
In order to get to know Mojacar, you have to leave the road, abandon the people
of today and penetrate a way of living which encloses all the secrets of its
history. On isolated farms, one can find the most authentic essence of the
people from these lands.
In the vestiges and ruins of old towers and castles, a rich past is revealed, a
past which experienced as we experience today, the beauty of these undulating
mountains, inhabited by a vegetation as special as the fauna that lives with it.
Linxs, vultures, royal eagles and quail are the kings of Sierra Cabrera. Here
you have two good routes for discovering Mojacar's nature:-
Route Along The Sopalmo
It begins at the Castle of Macenas, a fortress and watch—tower built in the XVII
century. A small road starts here, which will take us to Sombrerico Beach,
passing by the Pirulico Tower or big rock watchtower. From here onwards, we walk
through a series of beautiful, hidden caves until we reach the Rambla de la
Granadilla. By climbing the Rambla, we reach Sopalmo, a small village of Mojacar
which has conserved all of its traditional enchantment. From here we go to E1
Moro, a small concentration of farms grouped together and elevated above the
magnificent meseta from which we can appreciate the Sierra, in all its beauty.
The return trip is made once again through the Rambla de Macenas. Throughout the
journey, one can compare the panoramic views with the beauty of the coves,
sometimes desertlike, sometimes rich in abundant, colourful vegetation.
The Hotel Indalo marks the point of departure. Walking through the Rambla de
Alfaix, we find an abandoned farm, known as "Jacin Bajo", and then continuing
along the Rambla, we come to the first major obstacle; a gap in the Rambla which
has to be jumped.
We can celebrate having jumped the gap, by drinking the spring waters which run
through this sierra.Then we find another farm, el "Aljuezar", followed by yet
another "Jali Nuevo".
Sierra route
The view is very impressive from this point, as it is 650 metres above sea
level.Then, you have to tackle the descent of a steep riverbank in order to
reach the peaceful development called "La Parata". Here, we can have a rest
before continuing the descent to the beach.The panoramic view and the fact that
you are amongst nature, makes all the effort one has to make worthwhile.
Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada defies many concepts associated with skiing. Located barely a
stones throw from the Mediterranean coast, it has practically guaranteed
sunshine, the best spring snow conditions in Europe and is still reasonably
priced compared to many of its European counterparts. As one of Europe's highest
resorts it has a surprisingly long season and traditionally opens at the end of
November running through to the end of April or even into the first week of
May.two and a half hours drive awayyou will find the ski hills of the Sierra
Nevada
Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada, which means "Snowy Mountain Range", includes some of the highest
peaks in Europe not to mention the highest concentration of peaks over 3,000m in
the country. The Mulhacen, at 3,482m, is Spain's highest after Mount Teide in
Tenerife. The ski terrain is prominantly peaked by the jagged Veleta at 3,398m,
Spain's third highest after Aneto, (3,404m), in the Pyranees. The ski resort of
Sierra Nevada offers its visitors a wide range of facilities and a ski terrain
to suit skiers & boarders of all standards.
Culture
A group of painters and writers created, in the 60's, what was known as the "Indalino
Movement". As such, the village of Mojacar was rediscovered. These artists, so
impressed by its landscape, its local colour and its light promoted all that
Mojacar had to offer. Since then, dozens of artists and intellectuals of all
types have encountered a sense of inspiration in the magic and tranquility of
the place.
In the last few years, the cultural movement in Mojacar has acquired new
momentum. Every day there are more and more artists who decide to reside here
and consequently, the local council has moved to develop the cultural nature of
the village even further.
As such we will not have to wait long before the village's "Cultural Centre" is
set up.The creation of such a centre demonstrates that Mojacar culture has as
much to do with the past as with the present.
Gastromomy
The traditional dishes still found today in Mojacar denote the rural nature and
the arable origins of the village. Its cuisine is plain.
Amongst the most well known dishes are ajo blanco, ajo colorao, gachas, caldo de
pescado, migas, pimienta, encebollao, pelotas, gurullos con conejo y tarbinas.
Handicrafts
In the last few years an important group of young artesans have settled in the
village of Mojacar.
As a result, the leather and ceramic industry now features amongst the most
prominent. In the many shops selling handicrafts in the village you can also
find a lot of items which represent the craftmanship of neighbouring villages,
such as is Nijar or Vera.
Monuments
· Parish church of Santa Maria, dating from the fifteenth to nineteenth Century.
Renaissance
· Former ancient arable fortress C/ Iglesia sin Parish church of Ermita Nuestra
Senora de los Dolores Neoclassic dating from the eighteenth-nineteenth century
the fuenta in Mojacar is still regularly used by the locals
· Fountain Popular Fuente sin
· Castle Playa Macenas XVII century former lookout post
· Loma de Belmonte Megalithic tomb
