Mojácar

Mojácar is a coastal town in the province of Almeria in southern Spain, on the Costa de Almería called Mediterranean coast.

" Coat of Arms "

Landmark of the city (and the province of Almería ) is the Indalo, the stick figure holding a rainbow on his outstretched arms. The Indalo is a prehistoric Fetish, which was found in the cave of " Los Letreros " at Velez Blanco. It soon became customary to paint a drawing from Indalo at the facades, in order to preserve the inhabitants from evil. Since then, he is considered in the province of Almeria as a " totem " that keeps them from evil spirits, storms and other bad events. Today, however, it serves as a badge of the southeast of Spain, and on almost every transporter from the province of Almería emblazoned now this character.

Location

The village lies on a hill of the Sierra Cabrera, approximately 2 km from the coast. The provincial capital, Almería is 90 km away and can be reached via the A-7 motorway, " Autovia del Mediterraneo " at the AS 520.

History and Culture

Mojácar is of Phoenician origin. The area was settled very early, the present name probably evolved from " Monte Sacrum a Munsaqar ", later referred to as " Munsaqar ". The original position is not consistent with the present, except the district of "Old Mojácar ". By the year 917 was subject to the locus of control of the young city of Murcia, since that time it was loyal to the Caliphate of Córdoba, until its decay beginning of the 11th century. In this century, Mojácar was conquered by Almutamid from Seville. With the beginning of the reign of Muhammad I in Granada the place fell with his lands to this Sultanate, thus the coexistence of the population, especially in the border region, many inconvenience caused.

In the mid-14th century, were reinforced the guard and defensive towers to protect the borders. Thus, the Christianization of the area was initially avoided.

1435 reached Fajardo El Bravo to the city. Residents rendered heroic resistance against pillage and massacre.

On 12 June 1488 the city and the fortress Mojácar joined the Kingdom of Vera. Under the Catholic King Ferdinand II Mojácar received the title of a city.

Today instruct its whitewashed houses and its streets to the influence of the Arabs and the parish church of unhewn stone has a fortress- like character.

Attractions

• Parish Church of St. Mary in the Calle Iglesia from the 16th to 19th centuries. She was formerly an Arab fortress.
• Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores ( Our Lady of Sorrows ) in Plaza Nueva. Built in the 18th and 19th century in neoclassical style.
• Gate in the Plaza del Cano from the 15th to 19th century
• Popular fountain in the Calle Fuente
• Castle ruin in the Plaza del Castillo, at the highest point of the mountain, from the 15th century.
• Watch fortress on the beach Macenas - 17th century.
• Lookout tower on the cliff top near the Macenas Beach, formerly Watchtower from the 12th to the 15th century.
• Megalithgrabstätte Belmonte on the Hill

Local Festivals and Celebrations

Festivals and local celebrations often determine people's lives in Spain. In Mojácar are the most important:

• Moors and Christians, on the first weekend in June.
• San Agustín, Augustine of Hippo is the male patron saint of Mojácar. His feast day, August 28, is a holiday in Mojacar. The festivities last from 25 to 30 August.
• Pilgrimage of San Isidro on May 15.
• Bonfires of San Juan on June 24
• Virgen del Rosario ( Rosary hard ) the Virgin Mary of the Rosary is the patron saint of Mojácar. Her feast day is October 7.