Information about Mojacar, Costa Almeria
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Visiting Mojacar is like visiting two separate time zones, the white washed houses, architecture and the renowned Indalo or Mojacar man a familiar figure you will not fail to notice resembles a man holding a rainbow between his outstretched arms.
Originally thought to be dates some 4500 years ago to this day the totem is still common place on houses and shops bringing good luck to the residents and visitors of the area.
Due to its enviable location on the foot of the Sierra Cabrera mountains, overlooking the stunning coastline, Mojacar, Costa de Almeria, Spain can be seen for miles around. The pueblo ( old town ) is stacked with sugar cube houses and separated by narrow, cobbled streets winding there way up to the top of the town, with many restaurants, cafe bars and shops perched alongside.
Not surprisingly tourists are attracted to the sheer charm and beauty of Mojacar, Costa de Almeria, Spain. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and traditional all rolled into one, completely different to Mojacar playa situated only a few kilometres away.
The beaches of Mojacar Playa, Costa de Almeria, Spain stretch over 17 km and are lined with bars, cafes and restaurants there are many sporting facilities on the beach front for both adults and children such as basketball, football and volleyball as well as childrens playgrounds dotted every few 100 metres
Mojacar really is a paradise, whether you are looking for an activity holiday, cultured or just to laze away the days then you will find everything you want and need right here.
Originally thought to be dates some 4500 years ago to this day the totem is still common place on houses and shops bringing good luck to the residents and visitors of the area.
Due to its enviable location on the foot of the Sierra Cabrera mountains, overlooking the stunning coastline, Mojacar, Costa de Almeria, Spain can be seen for miles around. The pueblo ( old town ) is stacked with sugar cube houses and separated by narrow, cobbled streets winding there way up to the top of the town, with many restaurants, cafe bars and shops perched alongside.
Not surprisingly tourists are attracted to the sheer charm and beauty of Mojacar, Costa de Almeria, Spain. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and traditional all rolled into one, completely different to Mojacar playa situated only a few kilometres away.
The beaches of Mojacar Playa, Costa de Almeria, Spain stretch over 17 km and are lined with bars, cafes and restaurants there are many sporting facilities on the beach front for both adults and children such as basketball, football and volleyball as well as childrens playgrounds dotted every few 100 metres
Mojacar really is a paradise, whether you are looking for an activity holiday, cultured or just to laze away the days then you will find everything you want and need right here.
Posted by
Amanda
12 months ago
Mojácar is situated in the south east of the Province of Almería (Andalucía) in southern Spain, bordering the Mediterranean Sea; its people are called “Mojaqueros”. In 2005 it had 6,092 inhabitants. Its total surface is 72 km², with a total population density of 84.6/km². Its coordinates are 37º 08' N, 1º 51' W. It is 152 m above sea level and 90 km from the capital of the province, Almería. It is an elevated mountain village displaying the traditional white color from its earlier days. There is also a tourist resort to the south of the town on the coast called Mojacar Playa.
History
Mojácar has been habitated by many and varied peoples since antiquity. Populated since the Bronze Age around 2000 BC, traders such as Phoenicians and Carthaginians arrived to serve the growing communities.
On June 10, 1488, the leaders of the region agreed to submit to the Christian forces, although Mojácar's alcaide refused to attend, considering his town to be already Spanish. At that time occurred the well-known meeting at Mojácar's Moorish fountain, where a pact of free association between the local Moors, Jews and Christians was agreed to. Mojácar once again began to expand until the early 18th century, when the census of the time recorded 10,000 people. Around the middle of the 19th century, Mojácar began another period of decline.
The records state that several severe droughts brought about this drop in the town's fortunes, with a consequent emigration to northern Spain, Europe and South America.
The depopulation of Mojácar was reaching worrying proportions by the 1960s when tourism began to reverse the trend. Today, Mojácar remains loyal to the past with architecture, the whitewashed houses and the openness of the people, who inherited the ways of understanding and sympathy from their forebearers. Perhaps one result of this continuous mixing of cultures and religions is the Indalo or Mojácar man. This magical totem is said to bring protection and good luck, and from times past was always painted onto the fronts of houses once the whitewash was dry: keeping away the evil eye and protecting those within from storms.
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. This unspoilt ancient Moorish fortress town has been a favourite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts holiday-makers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town’s appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village centre is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria.
Climate
Mojácar has more than 3000 hours of sun per year. The medium yearly temperature is around 20 °C. Winter is practically nonexistent, it passes as a long autumn or spring, with the marine temperature higher than the air temperature.
Cuisine
The traditional dishes still found today in Mojácar denote the rural nature and the Arabic origins of the village. Its cuisine is plain. Amongst the most well known dishes are: Gurullos, Pelotas, Gachas, Migas, Ajo Colorao, and Pescado frito.
The cuisine of the beach area of Mojacar Playa is increasingly becoming more international with high quality restaurants serving English, French, Mexican and Argentine food to name just a few. As well as this there are many late opening beach bars or chiringuitos serving quality food and dring until the early hours. Mojacar Playa is becoming an increasingly popular and sophisticated resort.
Fiestas
Fiestas are important in Spain, and tend to be very participative. The most important in Mojácar are:
Moors and Christians: the nearest weekend to the 10th of June.
San Agustín: Agustín is the male patron saint of Mojácar. This fiesta falls on 28 August.
Romería de San Isidro: 15 May.
San Juan Hogueras: (Bonfires of Saint John) 24 July.
Virgen del Rosario: Rosario is the patron saint of Mojácar.
Arts
Mojácar is home to the Fundación Valparaíso, an international artists colony.
History
Mojácar has been habitated by many and varied peoples since antiquity. Populated since the Bronze Age around 2000 BC, traders such as Phoenicians and Carthaginians arrived to serve the growing communities.
On June 10, 1488, the leaders of the region agreed to submit to the Christian forces, although Mojácar's alcaide refused to attend, considering his town to be already Spanish. At that time occurred the well-known meeting at Mojácar's Moorish fountain, where a pact of free association between the local Moors, Jews and Christians was agreed to. Mojácar once again began to expand until the early 18th century, when the census of the time recorded 10,000 people. Around the middle of the 19th century, Mojácar began another period of decline.
The records state that several severe droughts brought about this drop in the town's fortunes, with a consequent emigration to northern Spain, Europe and South America.
The depopulation of Mojácar was reaching worrying proportions by the 1960s when tourism began to reverse the trend. Today, Mojácar remains loyal to the past with architecture, the whitewashed houses and the openness of the people, who inherited the ways of understanding and sympathy from their forebearers. Perhaps one result of this continuous mixing of cultures and religions is the Indalo or Mojácar man. This magical totem is said to bring protection and good luck, and from times past was always painted onto the fronts of houses once the whitewash was dry: keeping away the evil eye and protecting those within from storms.
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. This unspoilt ancient Moorish fortress town has been a favourite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts holiday-makers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town’s appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village centre is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria.
Climate
Mojácar has more than 3000 hours of sun per year. The medium yearly temperature is around 20 °C. Winter is practically nonexistent, it passes as a long autumn or spring, with the marine temperature higher than the air temperature.
Cuisine
The traditional dishes still found today in Mojácar denote the rural nature and the Arabic origins of the village. Its cuisine is plain. Amongst the most well known dishes are: Gurullos, Pelotas, Gachas, Migas, Ajo Colorao, and Pescado frito.
The cuisine of the beach area of Mojacar Playa is increasingly becoming more international with high quality restaurants serving English, French, Mexican and Argentine food to name just a few. As well as this there are many late opening beach bars or chiringuitos serving quality food and dring until the early hours. Mojacar Playa is becoming an increasingly popular and sophisticated resort.
Fiestas
Fiestas are important in Spain, and tend to be very participative. The most important in Mojácar are:
Moors and Christians: the nearest weekend to the 10th of June.
San Agustín: Agustín is the male patron saint of Mojácar. This fiesta falls on 28 August.
Romería de San Isidro: 15 May.
San Juan Hogueras: (Bonfires of Saint John) 24 July.
Virgen del Rosario: Rosario is the patron saint of Mojácar.
Arts
Mojácar is home to the Fundación Valparaíso, an international artists colony.
Posted by
Wikipedia
almost 4 years ago
