It is accessed from Almeria, taking the N-340 to the junction of Tabernas, and at that point the a-349 to Olula del Río, continuing on the A-334 towards Baza. You can also take the A-92, detour direction Albox; or from Baza in that same direction.
Purchena, due to its privileged geographic location on the right bank of the Almanzora River, has been the main historical, administrative and cultural center of this region. The most important events in the history of Spain have been echoed in the daily life of Purchena, being perhaps the most prominent of them its constitution as capital of the kingdom instituted by the Moorish rebel Muley Muhammad Aben Humeya, at war against Christians and power of the crown of Castile. Purchena was the center of military and political operations in this contest. The king of the levantiscos, Abén Humeya, ordered to organize some games and parties, evoking the Arab-Andalusian culture that was about to succumb. These games, with increasing splendor, have recovered today as an element of union and coexistence between cultures, a link that binds tradition to the ancient world with modernity.
The most significant monuments of Purchena are the Church of San Ginés (1550), the Alcazaba, the old Nasrid citadel, the Water Tower and the Hermitage of the Virgen del Carmen. Another place of interest is the Archaeological Museum, where marble tombstones, vases and very varied objects from the Muslim period are kept.
Among the many popular festivities that are celebrated in Purchena, we highlight the Moriscos Games of Abén Humeya, which take place in the Plaza during the third week of August and in which the first games installed by the Moorish king are staged faithfully. They consist of the traditional ribbon race to continue sports of clear Olympic descent such as wrestling, stone lifting, racing, archery, triple jump, singing and sling shooting. All these tests admit the participation of athletes from both shores of the Mediterranean. Parallel to the games, music, singing, dance and gastronomy competitions are held.
The Burning of Doll, which takes place on Ash Wednesday, is a festival of pagan origin and great anthropological interest.