Tourism Bacares - Almería - Interior de Almeria

INTRODUCTION

Located northwest of the province, it is the highest town in the Sierra de los Filabres, at 1201 meters high. It is dedicated to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and livestock. The modern history of Bacares is closely linked to the conquest of the city, an important Muslim enclave, by the Catholic Monarchs. Centuries later, it is the mining industry that underlines the future of this town. The mining wealth of the area was known from very old, although it is not until 1870 when it begins its massive exploitation by Spanish, English and Dutch companies, which made the town and neighboring regions prosper remarkably. In its heyday, mining employed more than four thousand workers, not counting technicians and specialists, who moved from different parts of the province. The industry survived until 1968, the year in which ICONA took over land and manufacturing facilities.

The most interesting architectural elements of this town are the ruins of the old Bacares Castle, probably of Roman origin, and the Parochial Church (1502).

The festivities of Santo Cristo de Bacares are celebrated from 12 to 14 September. The procession is typical during which the faithful make offerings to the Christ, including bills that cover the entire skirt of the image.

José Segura Giménez
Mayor Excellent City of Bacares

As mayor of Bacares, it is an honor for me to welcome all those who decide to discover the wonders of our people through this website.

Visiting the municipality of Bacares is an experience steeped in centuries of history.

All these singularities constitute a surprising mixture able to offer the visitor multiple tourist possibilities.

I would like this website to encourage everyone to enjoy and get to know our people, wishing them a pleasant stay that will surely make them repeat.

Discover Bacares

HISTORY AND ORIGINS

The origins appear a bit confusing. Its mining deposits suggest that the Phoenicians and Carthaginians were the first to settle.

Going down the river we find remains of a foundry and a blacksmith shop that made Bacares famous at the beginning of the century. For the rest, from Bacares all the Al-Andalus was supplied with arms and tools, the ironwork was later provided to the cathedral of Almeria and those of many noble buildings.

Its people, due to their isolation between the mountains, organized themselves in groups of muleteers who transported the products of the land. These products were chips, hardware and silk tools. They brought wheat, rye and barley, as well as oil and wine, to mill in their mills. Many families also dedicated themselves to the transhumant shepherding, in winter, when the mountains were covered with snow, they went to the sunny terrace overlooking the sea and in spring they returned to the pastures of their mountains.

It is known that centuries ago its mountains had forests of pines and oaks that with the passing of time have been cleared for the construction of ships and mining smelters, among others.

Between the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX Bacares came to shelter more than five thousand inhabitants, between farms and villages, due to the mining fever. When the activity of the mines stopped, in the seventies a large part of its population emigrated in search of new opportunities.

GASTRONOMY

Pot of wheat

Ingredients for 4 people:

250 gr. chickpea (soaked the day before in water with a little salt)
200 gr. White bean
250 gr. green bean
150 gr. pumpkin
4 pcs. pear
1 slice bread
10 pcs. almond (peeled and toasted)
1 pc. medium onion
1 large garlic clove
2 pcs. tomato (mature and medium)
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
Saffron (some strands)
1 dl. milk
2 tablespoon vinegar
Ground black pepper, salt
2 l. Water

Elaboration:

Put a pot on the fire with the water, and when it starts to boil, add the chickpeas and the white beans. It is left to cook over a low heat. Twenty minutes later, the clean and cut green beans, pumpkin and pears, cut into cubes are added, all trying to keep the chickpeas and white beans from cooking.

A slice of bread and garlic are fried in oil and reserved. In the same oil, fry the chopped onion and when it is slightly golden add the peeled and chopped tomatoes, which must also be fried. In this sauce, add the paprika and let it sauté a little. Crush in the mortar, saffron hair, garlic, fried bread and almonds until everything is in a very thin paste, add the sofrito of onion and tomato, plus the vinegar and a little ground pepper. Mix thoroughly and when the chickpeas are half cooked, put them in the pot. Rectify yourself from salt.

Gurullos with rabbit

Ingredients for 4 people:

Half rabbit
1/4 kg of gurullos (small handmade pasta that can be bought already elaborated, in the shape of a diamond)
1 tomato
1 pepper
1 onion
1 garlic
Seasoning, or also called coloring
Salt, pepper and oil

Elaboration:

Season the rabbit already cut into pieces and put them in a pot with oil, brown them and cut the tomato, onion and garlic into small pieces. Previously roast the pepper so it is very soft and cut into strips to incorporate it with the rest of the vegetables. When everything is almost done, water is made to the extent that you want it to be smooth. When boiling the gurullos are incorporated and leave to cook for 7 to 10 minutes, you can check to see if they are made, if you do not leave another little time. If you do not want to do it with rabbit, you can make it with snails or fried anchovies from the previous day.

1 egg
1 milk shell
1 oil shell
2 Sugar shells
2 tablespoons of brandy
1 teaspoon of grated lemon or orange
1 tablespoon baking soda
500 grs. Of flour
Ground cinnamon mixed with sugar

Elaboration:

In a dish mix all the ingredients and knead well, dip our hands in a little oil and go making donuts. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a frying pan (so that they do not come out hard) and fry the rolls, little by little, remove them and coat in the mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon.

2 kgrs. of quince
Sugar
Water

Elaboration:

The quinces are cooked in a pot covered with water for half an hour. When they have cooled a little, they peel and their hearts are removed, the meat is removed from the quince. The skins and the hearts can be reserved to make jelly, but I have not made it for lack of time … so a pending task for the next sweet of quince

The cooked quince is weighed and the same amount of sugar is added, it is crushed all together and put to the fire in a rounded bottom pot, and it only takes a little patience because you have to move with a wooden spoon during a half an hour at medium heat, until it loses all moisture and has the right consistency. Put in molds or cups and let cool.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

Each September, Bacares welcomes thousands of pilgrims, who show their devout veneration to the Holy Christ of the Forest. The legend tells how this image appeared in a place away from the village, in the middle of the forest.

The Procession is celebrated on September 14.

The route begins at La Plaza and immediately heads down Calle Real, passing through narrow and winding streets and of great difficulty due to its slope, until reaching the end of the urban core and entering the Camino del Bosque, through orchards and terraces. The final destination is the place where the image appeared and where its Hermitage is located. This is the other key point of the party: when the squad of Moors and Christians dance their flags and the legend of Santo Cristo is recited in verse. After all those acts, the procession returns to the parochial temple, where the Christ is dismissed until the following year by the thousands of pilgrims, who try to obtain as a souvenir the basil and the flowers that have accompanied the image on this day.

On February 2 is celebrated in Bacares on the day of Romero. In August the cultural week takes place (from August 3 to 15).

Finally, the pilgrimage to the Hermitage of El Layón hill is celebrated in May together with the municipalities of Tijola, Serón and Bayarque in honor of the Virgin of Lourdes.

What to visit

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Calar Alto is a plateau located in the Sierra de los Filabres (Bacares-Gergal) that reaches up to 2,168 m in height. The Hispanic Astronomical Observatory in Andalusia (CAHA) is located there. Until 2018, it was the Hispano-German Astronomical Center. It was founded in 1973 after an agreement between the German and Spanish governments. In 2005 an agreement was signed whereby the observatory was jointly operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía – CSIC in Granada and the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg (Germany) in a proportion of 50% each. Since 2019, with the departure of the German partner and the entry of the Andalusian Government into the Economic Interest Group CAHA, AIE, the observatory has become 100% Spanish (50% Higher Council for Scientific Research, 50% Junta de Andalucía) . In the whole of Calar Alto there are 5 large domes, of which 4 are in the municipality of Bacares and the largest dome is in the municipality of Gergal, in addition to the buildings of the offices of the Observatory technicians. Calar Alto is a special place for a getaway. Access both from Almeria via the Gergal road and access from Bacares or Serón are worthy of a weekend […]

Calar Alto

What to Visit

The Castle of Bacares has been recently restored, consolidating and strengthening the ruins, improving access and creating walkways and lookouts to visit and enjoy. About its origin, there are authors who classify it as Roman, others as Berber and others as Nazari. It is documented that in 1506 it was restored by Gutiérrez de Cárdenas. It is small in size with a total of seven dependencies. Of irregular plant and built with masonry walls arranged in flat rows and united by means of mortar for the low zones, and tapial for the high ones. Inside the Castle of Bacares, on one of its sides, there is a well that is conserved, as well as a small courtyard around which the rooms of which the foundations and part of the interior walls of the the same. The rock in which it is located is a strategic point from which you can see the two neighborhoods that make up Bacares, as well as the most important landmarks and points of the whole town: the Church, the Upper District, the Bridge, the rivers, the Centennial Noguera, the Fuente Grande, the San Juan Fountain and its large poplar, etc.

Bacares Castle

What to Visit

The Parochial Church of Santa María was built in 1502. The Mudejar coffered ceiling is of great beauty. It is a drawer with a single nave and a side chapel. The exterior has a simple whitewashed façade with the bell tower at the foot of the temple. The carving of the saint Christ of the forest is from the middle of the 20th century made by artisans of Baza. The original, was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and only left her left arm. According to the parchment found in the sculpture when it was restored, made by the sculptor José de Almunia in 1866, the author is Juan Ladrón Freila, between 1622 and 1627. It is a Baroque style carving.

Parish Church of Santa María

What to Visit

Ancient and modern, covered or outdoors, preserved or restored. The Valley of the Almanzora conserves in its municipalities a clear example of them, the Public Laundry of Bacares. They are places of great ethnological interest that transport us to another time, in which these facilities became socializing elements, a space where the obligatory appointment fostered the chat and the exchange of impressions on the latest news.

Bacares Public Laundry

What to Visit

The hermitage is restored and built when Christians lived here, in the time of the Catholic Monarchs, after the expulsion of the Moors. (1866). On September 14, the procession goes to Santo Cristo del Bosque towards the hermitage, where in its honor a flag is played symbolizing the union of Moors (red flag) and Christians (pink flag). It is also used as a recreation area.

The Hermitage of Bacares

What to Visit

The museum is located along several streets of the municipality and recreates the work of the field of formerly, it consists of plows and all kinds of utensils and the work of ores …

Ethnographic Museum of Bacares

What to Visit

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Where to sleep

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H/AL/00733 FOR ALL THOSE NATURE LOVERS The Hotel Las Fuentes is located in the Sierra de Los Filabres and on the valley of the River Gérgal. It is the only rural hotel in the municipality of Bacares and they are more than 30 years old. Its facilities have managed to combine the flavor of high mountain and rural design, with new trends and modern lines in which the client can enjoy a privileged and unique place in the Comarca del Almanzora. The town is sheltered by three large peaks that exceed 2,000m above sea level, such as the Tetica de Bacares. The close treatment and the familiar atmosphere are the guarantee that give him preferential distinction in the field of the hospitality industry in the province of Almeria. The comfort of its 26 rooms, (6 double superior rooms, 11 double matrimonial, 4 singles 5 double two beds.), The rich and traditional gastronomy, as well as the amplitude of its four rooms, all with spectacular views of the mountain and the valley through large windows, they grant the privilege of being a hotel to enjoy as a family, for conferences, meetings and celebrations, as well as for rest and enjoyment of […]

Hotel Las Fuentes

Where to eat Where to sleep

RuralEcoFilabres A/AL/00130 It is a set of rural apartments nestled in the heart of the Sierra de Los Filabres. It offers an idyllic site for any age. It has common areas, a large central square, children’s area, barbecue area, multipurpose room, parking. Our accommodations We have 10 rural apartments, our accommodations are named with unique places in the area, fully equipped so you can enjoy comfortably in a quiet and spectacular environment, in an unbeatable setting, such as Bacares, in the heart of the Sierra de los Filabres, with an altitude of 1205 m of altitude above sea level. We have 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, with capacity from 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 people up to a total of 52 people.

RuralEcoFilabres – Rural Accommodations and Active Tourism

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Hotel Las Fuentes

Where to eat Where to sleep

We offer you a wide range of tapas and homemade rations. We are specialists in grilled meat.

Café Bar Los Arcos

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We are characterized by the quality of our products and service, as well as an inexhaustible capacity for innovation. We are a trustworthy, close and flexible company. Premium pastry products that stand out for their flavor and freshness. Do not stay without trying them all!

Pastry Pastissfay

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Bread and homemade pastries made in Bacares

Bakery Bacares

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What to do in Bacares?

If you are thinking of taking a different trip to discover beautiful places and charming towns that are not usually well known, a getaway to Bacares is an excellent option. Our town has many options to make and we recommend the ones that are sure to be of your interest.