Tourism Oria – Almería

ORIA: “Historical, cultural and natural heritage”

Oria is a municipality with a marked rural character and a great attachment to its traditions, which allows it to maintain the essence of small towns. The roots of tradition in the society of Oriala and the way of life of its inhabitants that allows the visitor to be surprised and discover the charm and uniqueness of a unique town in the Almanzora Valley in many aspects.

Its origins date back to 3000 a.c., remaining remains of Argaric settlements such as “El Picacho” and “El Villar”. However, many of its main monuments and architectural elements date from the Marquesado period of Los Vélez: Minor Basilica Ntra. Sra. De las Mercedes (1779), Ermita Vieja (16th century) or Casa de la Tercia (s. XVIII). We also highlight Arab vestiges such as watchtowers and the remains of a 13th century Alcazaba known as “El Castillo”, completed with the oldest building in the area “Hermitage of San Gregorio”, based on the remains of an old mosque and two beautiful churches such as the Virgen de las Mercedes and San Bartolomé, located in the districts of the Rambla de Oria and Los Cerricos, respectively.

To this brief historical and monumental introduction, we have to accompany an extensive cultural heritage, full of folklore and tradition. The two main acts are the patron saint festivities held in May and August, in honor of San Gregorio and the Virgen de las Mercedes; also highlight numerous festivals and programs linked to dance, traditional folklore, music and literature: “Semana Santa“, XXV Festival of Cuadrillas “Villa de Oria”, “X RockORIA”, “IV Candil de historias”, “V International Festival of Folklore Villa de Oria “,” Book Week “or the famous” VIII Corners of Music and Word “. Mention also traditions as old and unique as surprising: “The Roscos de San Blas“, “Las Lumbres de Vespers (Saint Lucia, San Antón and La Candelaria)”, Masses of Gozo, the Rosary of the Dawn, the “Walk of the Child” “, the” Rise of the Cross “, etc.

Finally, we have to talk about the extraordinary variety of options offered to lovers of activity in the natural environment: hiking, biking (TransAlmería), landscape, etc. We highlight the time of flowering of the almond tree, because the extension and the variety in climatic conditions and consequently that of cultivated varieties, allow to lengthen the flowering time by almost 2 weeks. Not in vain, is considered Oria as the town with the largest area of ​​almond cultivated per m2.

Bearing in mind the summary in previous lines, it can be clearly deduced that any time of the year is good to discover in Oria those details that every visitor pursues when choosing interior tourism: authenticity.

In Oria, as in other rural towns, we are the repositories of a set of cultural expressions such as gastronomy, creating a unique culinary identity within our region. Related to the traditional way of life of our town we were once with a subsistence cuisine based on the conservation of food and the seasonality of the same: “ate what was produced”, with little marketing or introduction of other foreign products . This factor has led to the preservation of a multitude of recipes of yesteryear that, while some may be similar to other dishes in the area, is no less true that there are many variants, ingredients and ways of processing that make them very different dishes .

The visitor can discover the flavor of traditional Orialean cuisine, but also the conservation of a multitude of gastronomic terms, utensils and kitchen utensils, as well as many culinary customs forgotten by the new generations and that will hardly be found in cookbooks or TV programs.

But more we must add to its tourist value: in Oria we have the need to share more than food and, inevitably, we are forced to share gestures, words or even some silences. Our gastronomy is an event through which we create links with those around us, whether sitting in a dining room, at a bar or even under a good shade. In this way we achieve “good profit”, as it is well known that it is not healthy to eat alone and if accompanied, enjoying the benefits of our garden and our fields: “excellent products made following the culinary tradition of our ancestors”.

Going through the typical products of slaughtering and others like the “Perro Colorao”, we highlight at Christmas time an important range of confectionery products such as mantecados and polvorones made in family, as well as puff pastries, sighs or roscos de aguardientes. The Roscos de viento or “Roscos de San Blas” give way to the “hornazo” of Holy Week and its particular gastronomy. Also for Lent: pestiños, torrijas, fritters or fried milk that share a table with the panescas beans, bacalás or the “Olla de San Antón”. Stews like the “Pot of Wheat”, Pot of turnips, “Pelotas”, “Potaje of pumpkin or chard”, will delight the lovers of the spoon without despising the taste of the typical Almerian crumbs; crumbs that have in their accompaniment a collection of typical products of the pig and the garden can not miss the dried tomatoes and fried peppers as well as its unique and wide variety of winter or summer soaking. The Fritá or preserved pepper and tomato is an Orialeño product that goes well with fresh dishes such as “pimpirrana”. Land with great tradition of hunting, are typical “tortasgachas with hare” and “fritá de conejo”, among others. We also highlight the “soft goat cheese”, “honey” and “almonds”. Essential olive oil from our olive groves and other derivatives such as “olives partías”. Great tradition also in jams and “quince meat” as well as homemade liqueurs like fig or “Chimichurri”. Finally, and surely leaving much of our culinary fan in oblivion, we will highlight the important culture that exists around the commonly referred to as the “Country Wine”.