Que hacer y que ver en Laroya (Almeria)

LAROYA, EVOLUTION AND FUTURE

To speak of Laroya is to speak of peace and tranquillity. It comes from the Arabic word “Laroya”, which means “pot” or “hole”. And that is what its founders must have perceived when naming it: its location among the mountains. A privileged location that makes it different from the surrounding villages. Laroya is an oasis where you can go back in time, but with the present day very much in mind. That is what makes it special and unique.

We have always been told that great fragrances come in small bottles, so don’t let its size and population of approximately 170 inhabitants fool you, because it has enough magic to capture the attention of all who visit this enclave in the Sierra de los Filabres. In fact, Laroya thrives thanks to the tourists who come here and admire its surroundings, its landscape, the narrow white, cobbled streets full of charm, its main square and some of its traditions, both gastronomic and cultural. And as the icing on the cake, we would highlight its 16th century Mudejar style church, with a peculiar flattened tower, and whose interior houses one of the greatest treasures for its inhabitants, the relic of the town’s patron saint: San Ramón Nonato.

Laroya is a clear example of improvement and evolution thanks, among other things, to rural tourism. Those of us who have enjoyed it in recent years can attest to this transformation. Although historically, this municipality subsisted mainly on agriculture and the marble quarrying industry due to its proximity to Macael, today its reality is quite different. Over the last few years, its inhabitants have been able to take advantage of the unbeatable possibilities of tourist interest offered by the municipality, to attract travellers and visitors who know how to fall in love with villages with their own personality, picturesque cultural traditions and, above all, who like to enjoy nature.

To speak of the future in Laroya is to speak of quality rural tourism. The municipality has unique and beautiful rural accommodation, old restored houses that have not lost their charm and history. The same goes for every corner of the village, every house, every street, the whole village has its own charm and legend that attracts any visitor and makes you go back in time and win you over.

The people of Laroye have worked hard to offer visitors an unparalleled rural experience, also through quality gastronomy and renowned artisan products.

For photography lovers, we know that Laroya is a jewel in terms of what it has to offer. It is impossible to talk about quality in tourism without referring to the fact that Laroya is located and catalogued as an “ecological zone”. Nowadays we know how important it is to conserve the surroundings and the environment in a sustainable way, and the municipality demonstrates this in its paths and trails, with an impressive wealth of vegetation. It is an environment with routes that are a delight for those who enjoy sport, those who go for a walk or, if you will allow me, even those who photograph its landscapes, its customs or its people.

I fell in love with it, and I hope you will too.

Article written by: Jose Francisco Góngora (Businessman and photographer).