Showing posts with label vera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vera. Show all posts

Sunday, 17 June 2012

History of Mining in Vera, Almeria - ever wanted to know more about the tunnels?

My Dad has a house on the hill just up from Vera Playa and we have always been intrigued by 'the tunnels' when we have visited.  No one we have spoken to has ever had much information so I have done some research online.  Here is some information I have had translated relating back to Vera's history and mining in the area.  If you have any other information please could you share in the comments box below.

THE HISTORY OF VERA, ALMERIA AND MINING
translated from http://www.foro-ciudad.com/almeria/vera/mensaje-505965.html
Populations that have existed in Vera have had a changing situation through the centuries. Human communities that have settled here have sought their location depending on their material needs (near a river), their strategic needs (on a hill) or commercial (next to a path of paths). The current state of Vera meets these three objectives.

Vera, Almeria has been populated since ancient times. As early as the Bronze Age about 4,000 years ago, the Culture Argar, known throughout the basin intense settlement of the deposits of Fuente Alamo (Cuevas de Almanzora).  And then began the exploitation of silver ores of Sierra Almagrera. The first foundation of the city would be associated with this mining activity. The Carthaginians continued mining and founded Baria to the sixth century. C., about Villaricos.

The Romans replaced the Carthaginians in the exploitation of minerals, and the Barea toponym designating a town in the Almanzora river mouth, where it is now Villaricos and ultimately become a republic within the fabric of cities of the Roman Empire. Besides these cities there were some "villas" Roman species of estates, where ownership was concentrated in the hands of landowners who were served by large numbers of slaves. Remains of a villa in the hamlet are Rocipón (in the current term of Vera), near the shrine of the Virgen de las Huertas.


HIGH MIDDLE AGES

The Decline High Middle Ages (VIII-XI), insecurity by sea and land in a city increasingly border, made, according to the Father Tapia, in the thirteenth century the inhabitants of Vera is convinced of the interest of retreat to an elevation where lay inside and a small village (Hill of the Holy Spirit). By then the population was composed veratense Muslim converts to Islam after the invasion of the eighth century or descendants of the Arab conquerors.

The Muslim city of Vera's head would be outskirts since most easterly of the Nazari kingdom of Granada and from the second half of the thirteenth century Christian land border with Lorca.
In the fields and Overa Huércal in the sea off the coast, there were frequent "raids" border. Some of these skirmishes reached the category of real battles, like the Alporchones (1452), which resulted in a victory for the Christians of Lorca

YEAR 1488
Shortly afterwards there will be a momentous event for relief representing social, economic and cultural conquest of Vera by the Catholic Monarchs in the year 1488, in the process of conquest of the Kingdom of Granada, culminating with the fall of last Muslim stronghold.  Vera was the most strategic place to ensure the submission of the eastern lands of the Nazari kingdom. To that end, in the spring of 1488, Ferdinand, leading people of Murcia, Lorca and Mula past the border and into the region of Vera. No serious attempts at resistance, and June 10, 1488 Mayor Vera, Malique Alabez, delivers the city to King Ferdinand.  The Christian army their actual plant near Vera (in Real) and there will come to swear allegiance main Moors Antas, Lubrin, Sorbas, Teresa Cabrera, Mojacar, Cuevas, Huércal, Overa, Zurgena, Purchena, Velez Blanco, Velez Rubio, Albox, Arboleas, Tíjola, Armua, Bayarque, Huéscar, Oria and elsewhere in the Almanzora river and the mountains north of the province of Almeria.  The strategic location of Vera (off Algerian) persuaded the Crown of the need to be done soon with a safe bastion. Therefore, the Muslim population expelled outside the walls of the city and quickly tries to repopulate with people in arms. Vera became linked to the Crown and royal city, and in 1494, the Catholic Monarchs granted it rights and privileges.  However, this will be the definitive site of Vera, but in a plain, where they rebuilt after an earthquake, as will be explained
1518 EARTHQUAKE
Rebuilding a war-torn region was difficult. The arid land and the uncertainties of the land border, joined a series of catastrophes that made restocking unattractve to Christian settlers. On November 9, 1518, an violent earthquake completedevastated altogether population center located on the hill of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most important milestones in the history veratense and promotes the last and final repositioning of the city. For the testimony that left some survivors with the Mayor Inigo de Guevara, to request emergency aid to the king, we know that sunk the entire city, composed at the time by some 200 houses. The fort and the walls were also destroyed and disappeared the water source that supplied the population. The earthquake was between 11 and 12 at night, and all the neighbors, but six or seven-buried under the rubble. The most reliable estimates, driven by Cesar Olivera, put the death toll at 150 people. Ruled out the possibility of reconstruction in the same place, the mayor Francisco de Castilla issued a report recommending the establishment of a new city on a plain near the Cerro ("a bow-shot"). It was not the first time Vera was affected by a major earthquake. From the minutes of the City of Murcia chapter we know that in November of 1406 there was a strong earthquake that destroyed much of the Muslim city, and which killed 72 men and 6 horses. The new city was built from 1520 was a square, enclosed by mud walls manned by eight towers with battlements and embrasures for the artillery, he communicated with the outside by two doors. This compound was calculated for each 600 inhabitants, ovens and other services. In the center stood the parish church, which served as a fortress for the defense of their neighbors.
VERA, "CHRISTIAN CITY
The new town of Vera and Mojacar were a Christian population oasis in the midst of a most predominantly Moorish (New Christians) that occupied the entire rural area for most of the sixteenth century. Living conditions agreed with the majority Mudejar capitulations during the days of the conquest that would be gradually forgotten by the Christian Body. Tax increase, violent expropriations and, above all, the imposition since 1501 of compulsory baptism and leave Islamic practices, created discontent among the Moors, many in the region of Antas, Cuevas, Teresa Cabrera, Turre, Bedar and Serena . The cultural and religious assimilation tried without success. The dress, language, dances and customs of Moorish general prohibitions became continuously irritating to a predominantly rural community. In parallel, the Berber pirates from North Africa created insecurity in the few pockets Christians to find shelter and support in the Moorish discontent.

Finally, on Christmas Eve of 1568 began an uprising in the Alpujarras, where he is proclaimed king Aben Humeya (Hernando de Valor), which soon spread to the rest of the Kingdom of Granada. Quickly notice the impact of this bloody civil war in the region of Vera. In March 1569, all the Moors of Teresa and Cabrera, then part of the jurisdiction of the city, flee to Berbera (Maghreb) in four ships that had washed up on shore. Since then these places will be deserted. During the Moorish uprising, on September 25, there was the siege of the city by the army of Aben Humeya. The Moorish king hopes to achieve with a long coastline Vera where receiving reinforcements from North Africa will be frustrated by the Christian defense and the intervention of troops from Lorca.

To know the reality of the events of this rebellion, we are fortunate to be able to attend the written testimonies that have been both in the Municipal Archives of Vera as in Lorca, where we see reflected the facts as the lived eyewitnesses, elected officials and people from weapons that were active in this time of the uprising. Throughout the whole year of 1569 veratenses neighbors lived in a state of real terror, and who knew the uprising of the nearby villages-Sorbas, Antas, Bedar, Purchena Zurgena, Teresa Cabrera, with the corresponding threat to Vera. Requests for military assistance to neighbors Lorca are constant throughout 1569, including King Philip II ordered to Lorca to help in case of siege. Finally, at dawn on September 25, Aben Humeya leading his army laid siege to Vera and was besieged until seven o'clock, they would withdraw their troops to the aid of news lorquinas forces. The testimonies that have survived tell us that Juan Soler witnesses said Oliver, a neighbor and governor of Vera and Luis Cardenas, neighbor and attorney of Lorca, the impending siege, the city of Vera sent Francisco Soler and Martin Gomez both on horseback, to ask help of Lorca. This essential aid received in Vera de Lorca never forgot, and over the centuries has continued to maintain a partnership of which also mentioned in 1595. Days later, on October 16, 1569, the City Council proclaims the city's patron St. Cleopas, whose feast day coincided with the withdrawal of the Islamic army. The failure of the uprising culminated with the expulsion of the Moorish population of the Kingdom of Granada, first, and the territories of the Crown in 1610. Many of the exiles will work with Berber incursions that happen throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, increasing the turn inhospitable lands of Almería. After the expulsion of the Moors entered a period little known, and that historical research are scarce for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the seventeenth century, in 1606 specifically granted the installation of minima in Vera Parent, for which the building stood the convent, which now only remains the church. These parents were in Vera Minimum to Liberal Triennium (1820-1823), which suffered the ravages of desamortizador process

XVII CENTURY: THE VERA "ILLUSTRATED."
The eighteenth century is that of the Enlightenment. Bourbon reformism, however, was powerless to put the country on the path of modernization and progress. Society of Friends of the Country were from Carlos III, the promoters of these attempts renovators. Vera is proud to be the cradle of the second company seeking approval of its statutes in Andalusia and the fourth in Spain. Its statutes were approved on June 10, 1776. As we have Paula and George Demerson, this Society was founded with the idea of ​​working to be useful to others and contribute to the enhancement of the nation. From the beginning, the Company had a large number of members, clergy and laymen, representing not only to Vera, but also to Velez Rubio, Mojacar, Almeria, Lorca, Velez Blanco, Antas, Sorbas, Turre, Cuevas, Lubrin and Bedar. Was organized in various committees that worked to promote popular industry, focusing on the potential for the manufacture of esparto, agriculture, commerce, education, charity, fishing ... Also had royal support essential, which would usher in the Royal Order of Carlos III, sending to Own a loan of 30,000 reais in 1776, to refund without interest within six years. A few years after installation, the Company's business began to decline, especially burdened by the obligation of having to repay the loan on their own. However, with a great effort by veratenses illustrated, the Company managed to live until 1808, getting over the years a positive balance in the wake of the economic and cultural life of the town.

In 1816 will be an attempt to revive it on a new basis, but the Society had come to an end. In the second half of the eighteenth century reflect economic and population growth is noticeable in the urban development of the city, both the North and the South. In the late 60's plot a farm between the paths of Antas and Cuevas, the focal point of the Trench Street. At the end of the 80 will be the area of ​​Barrio de Jesus, near the Camino del Mar, which will be developed for the aggrandizement of urban design. In the rural hinterland are also appreciated demographic developments, this time is the great human occupation of Sierra Cabrera, in the jurisdiction of Vera


NINETEENTH CENTURY: THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION.
A difficult start. With no economic development goals, the area entered into the nineteenth century with the devastation of several epidemics, of which we'll talk-without forgetting the effects of the great drought that occurred to the 20's.

He also had to do with this war against the French, who left the municipal coffers and exhausted the meager flow of many veratenses, subject to violent exactions imposed by both the French army as by the Spanish army and patriotic items. In the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823), record the 1812 Constitution, establishing the Urban Militia, charged with defending the values ​​that the Constitution embodied. The militia responds to a tradition started in the French Revolution, in line with the "sovereign people in arms." With the absolutist reaction that begins in 1823, former militants suffer the consequences of repression. In return for the Urban Militia during the absolutist Decade (1823-1833) work called Third of Royalist Volunteers, ready to defend the sacred rights of the Throne. The Urban Militia or National strike force of liberalism, reappears in 1834, when you start the transition to constitutional rule after the death of Fernando VII, and examines the succession of his daughter Isabel (First Carlist War). In 1838 the approximation of the Carlist faction Carved produce mobilization of the militia and its head the veratense Ramon Orozco. Orozco: politician and businessman. We believe interesting to dwell on the life of this son of Vera, because, for unknown reasons, has been largely forgotten in the collective memory of his hometown, despite being possibly the most important political, economic and social advancement of all times. Ramon Orozco (1806-1881) was the son of a family of liberal tradition. His father, Juan Antonio Orozco Lopez, had been enriched by trade and directed the Urban Militia during the Triennium liberal Vera (1820-1823), taking over City Hall during the months of constitutional rule. His son Ramon followed the political ideas of the family and from an early age manifested a strong inclination toward the more progressive positions of liberalism. It will be the main driver of the reorganization of the National Militia, 1834, and its commander in Vera. Part of the Governing Board in 1835 and when José de Salamanca (the future and very famous Marqués de Salamanca)-Trial Judge Vera Party mayor of the city-up to Madrid, took charge of the Mayor Vera. On June 24, 1844, the same Ramon Orozco, by then leader of the Progressive Party in the province of Almeria, Vera attempts a coup against the moderate government, willing to settle the constitution of 1837, culminating in the declaration of state of emergency in towns of Vera and his party, decided by the commanding general of the province. Be Member of Parliament for the first time in 1839, repeating for the district of Vera in 1846, 1850, 1851, 1854 and 1869. In Almeria moved his residence around 1850, after having enriched in a dizzying with the profits generated by its majority interest in the mine "Observation" of Sierra Almagrera and casting "San Ramon" of Garrucha. He presided over the Revolutionary of 1868 in Almeria, which our province is added to the Glorious. Later he was acting governor. Economically, its heritage is striking: the modernization initiatives in the provincial economic outlook comes from his hand, a company for drainage in Sierra Almagrera, a project for the construction of blast furnaces in Garrucha, and the attempt to create a bank of issue Almeria (1864). Retired from politics and business, will die on his farm in The Alparatas (Mojácar) in 1881. Economic growth. The discovery of silver lead lode of the ravine in the Sierra Almagrera Jaroso and metallurgical activity developed around therefore, lead to significant economic growth throughout the region, accompanied by a high population growth, the result of phenomenon of immigration from other areas of the province. By 1859, Vera and their term (then with Pulpí and Garrucha) reached the figure of 11,358 inhabitants, with a level that would never be surpassed. In the second half of the nineteenth century, and the result of the economic resurgence, is the urban layout of the streets of the Sea, for homes of the local bourgeoisie and the birth of the Silver Street and San Sebastian. Also these dates is the new cemetery of San Jose (1873), the Arbor (1882-1887), the current route from the Plaza del Hospital (1880), Plaza de Toros (1879), the Nursing Home (1895) , the City Hall (1881) ... It is now also the birth of the feast of St. Cleophas, as have been preserved. Although, as we have seen, from 1569 St. Cleopas was master of Vera, the splendor with which they celebrate today can be traced to 1861 when the council of August 14 aims to create a fair to promote the country's industry from day 23 to 30 this September, extending holding pattern on only one week. See similar case with the celebrations of the patron saint, Our Lady of Sorrows. We know that in 1888, to celebrate the fourth centenary of the conquest of Vera by the Catholic Kings, it was decided to request that this Virgin was Patron of Vera at St Cleopas, the traditional devotion which he was held, and his feast is celebrated on June 10 (date took Vera). In 1894, city council, which approves 1 to June 14 conclusion of a cattle market in the Fountain Girl, having here the history of the party's current employer. But in this period of economic growth the population still suffering the devastating blows of the epidemics in the late eighteenth century, in 1786, it was terrible the impact of the ague. But in the nineteenth century we know of yellow fever in 1804 and in 1812, cholera in 1834, 1855, 1856, 1860, typhus in 1862 and 1863. Little by little, progress in the field of health and medicine will tempering these evils. In the administrative order, the nineteenth century led to the formation of the municipality as we know it. If before the conquest of the Catholic Monarchs Vera had an extension of 1,648 km2, after the conquest was torn off Caves and Portilla, Sorbas and Lubrin, Huércal and Overa, Sierra Cabrera, Antas, Zurgena, Bedar, Serena, and finally, in 1860, Garrucha and Pulpí forming separate independent municipalities. This process has been completed in 1992, when municipality awarded to Garrucha, Vera and remaining in its current configuration. A buoyant mining accompanies a major agricultural development, with the area and neighboring Antas which first introduced the orange groves, especially in the area of ​​the Real, as the basis for an important export trade.

TWENTIETH CENTURY: THE DECLINE OF THE REVIVAL ..
.In the early twentieth century, the mining crisis and the decline of traditional agriculture produced an increase in emigration, as a widespread phenomenon that it extended until 1970. In the late nineteenth century the fate of the emigrants was Algeria in the early twentieth century, Argentina and other Latin American countries, in the years 50-60 Barcelona, ​​France, Germany and Switzerland are receiving most of the population veratense. The population is reduced to just over 4,000 inhabitants and is entering a period of social and economic slowdown, which is like living throughout the region and the province of Almeria in the first half of this century. Recently, in different parts of the province, and Vera including perceived hopeful signs of development, with the growth of tourism, in some cases, and the progress of modern intensive agriculture, in others. In recent years we have seen growing major population centers such as coastal Puerto Rey, Laguna Pueblo, Las Marinas or Playazo incipient and hopeful. Agriculture is also looking to modernize their facilities in an attempt to improve the use of a vital resource, and so far limited, as is water. Development options seem to favor and to the enhancement of tourism and the growth of advanced agriculture. Progress in the field of infrastructure, construction of the dam Almanzora and the Levante motorway, Vera and placed the region in an interesting anticipation of economic development. Politically, the recovery of local democracy from 1979 should serve to advance the participation and transparency in decision making affecting the community, away from sectarianism and clientelism. The objective of modernization and progress should be extended to the areas of economic, political and social.

MINING IN ANDALUCIA TODAY
Despite this low profitable benefits and widespread crisis in the sector, mining in Andalucia still has some importance. If you compare the value of the extraction with the rest of Spain, it is clear that in terms of metal extraction, Andalusia provides 59% of the national total, with emphasis on pyrite and iron. For precious metals (gold and silver) the percentage increases to 98%, while the extraction of strontium account for 100%, 84% attapulgite and bentonite volcanic 77%. The value of the marble, gypsum, sea salt, the dolomite and barite, also have a relative importance to the national total, which participates in more than 20%. Moreover, the intensiveness of the work in the mines has caused various environmental problems in recent times, since the protests by the weavers in the late nineteenth century to the Aznalcóllar disaster in 1998 when a flood of toxic sludge from a mine Boliden-Apirsa in the province of Seville affected the Guadiamar River and part of the waters of the Park Doñana.

Area of ​​human settlement since ancient culture Argar occupy all this region from the fourth millennium BC. C. The first foundation of the city would be related to mining, the Carthaginians founded near Villaricos Baria in the sixth century. C.During the Roman period was followed by mining and Barea was called, in the same place where he is currently Villaricos. Some are formed around the term a number of villas in the form of exploding land estates.In times of Al-Andalus, the insecurity of the coast and the decline of mining advised the transfer in the thirteenth century to a safer area of ​​the interior, in the Holy Spirit Hill where there was already a village. Since then becomes the easternmost city of the Kingdom of Granada and border with Lorca.The Christian conquest took place in 1488. It established the camp of the Christian armies. Since this is a strategic area, the Catholic Monarchs and made sure all Muslims moved inside and was resettled with people from weapons. Furthermore, it is a city of royal, depending on the Crown, granting their rights and privileges in 1494. The first Christian mayor was Captain Garcilaso de la Vega.In the year 1518 ± or completely devastated by an earthquake year and two years later ± was rebuilt on the site now occupied by order of Charles V, as a rectangular walled square, whose core strength was the parish church.The Moorish uprising of 1568 occurred in the whole region. Vera did not Moors was not affected in principle. In September 1569 there is a siege by the Moors in command of Aben Humeya to achieve a comprehensive master coastal territory and to establish and direct communication with North Africa. End to the siege received the news of the proximity of an army from Lorca.The Society of Friends of Vera will be the second of Andalusia in seeking approval of the statutes, in June 1776. The demographic and economic progress of this period is reflected in the urban development of the city.The nineteenth century was characterized by a series of important events such as the support of the Constitution of 1812 during the Liberal Triennium, 1820 to 1823 and the creation of an Urban Militia in charge of defending the values ​​of the constitution. The discovery of silver lode of the ravine The Sierra Jaroso Almagrera to relaunch the economy of the city of Vera. At the end of the century will shape the final municipality we know today.The mining crisis and the decline of traditional agriculture will result in a crisis since the early twentieth century, this will increase with the emigration of the year ± 50 and 60 that you will be a real drain on the city. At present new perspectives to the development of tourism and the improvements achieved in intensive agriculture.

MINING IN THE 1800's
The second major milestone in contemporary Almeria mining exploitation is massive argentiferous leads in the Sierra de Almagrera in Cuevas del Almanzora. When the mining of lead from Sierra de Gador began to decline, the chance discovery of a rich vein of argentiferous galena in the Barranco Jaroso the late thirties of the nineteenth century led to the "silver rush". The splendor of Almagrera lasted until the late nineteenth century, when the fall in lead prices in international markets was definitely viable drain the titanic efforts of the saw.

At first Almagrera minerals were taken to Adra smelters, which had all the technical advances of the time. But soon after new facilities were installed (factories) near the mines, lowering transport costs considerably. The whole coast between Aguilas and Garrucha filled chimneys, while the great competition between companies caused the closing of many of them a few years.

Regardless of size or type of furnace used, all had in common the construction of long tunnels condensation by circulating the smoke before reaching the chimney. The purpose was twofold: to remove hazardous gases from installations and population centers, and allow the use of the remains that were condensed on the walls.  In most cases, stacks and galleries are all that is left of these metallurgical establishments.

In general, the conservation status of the few existing remnants is quite deplorable. For cases that do not have protection as BIC, only regret is waiting for the time when real estate speculation to bury them for good. For those who do have such protection, the unwillingness of the Administration for its value predicts a slow and lingering death, leaving time runs covering their tracks.

The History of the Mining Chimneys
In the Sierra de Cartagena-La Union, especially on the mountains broken off of it, tens of chimneys were built for mining operations.

Some were shaped like a truncated square pyramid the others were mostly truncated cones. They were constructed for two purposes: either to remove the fumes released by the boilers of steam engines that were responsible for lowering and raising the cages hanging from the masts, also, to operate jackhammers, or, to expel the fumes of the ovens where they were melted minerals. All those chimneys of the Sierra Minera near a booth with extraction are the first type, when alone, corresponding to the second.




The construction of a chimney took three to four months and required the work of four workers at most. Cut bricks were used to varying degrees, from eighteen inches to fifteen, from five. The diameter of the base came to be something more than a meter and it was narrowing down to a close in less than half, about eighteen inches or so. In addition to the brick, the workers used as the mortar binding material, a mixture of sand, lime and water. The work was done by climbing up the inside through scaffolds with irons and woods, in the highest areas with iron ladders.  There were frequent accidents resulting in workers that suffered, numerous contusions and fractures


The Remains of Dolores, San Francisco and Hope CastsThe only reference found to Casting Dolores comes from Antonio Molina Sánchez ("Cuevas, land of silver"), who claims to have been built since 1850, in the place of Piedrallana. In 1883 it was owned by Jose Soler Gomez, one of the leading exporters of lead.The Foundry San Francisco, named in the Catalogue of PH of the Board, may be the Casting Tres Amigos, that one change of ownership also changed its name. This is the theory of Antonio Molina Sánchez. Three Amigos was built in 1847 by a society of Madrid led by the Duke of Riansares, morganatic husband of Queen Maria Cristina. Had 3 kilns, ovens sleeve 4 and 3 cupel.The funny thing is that both Dolores abd San Fransisco are protected as property No 21 and 18 respectively in the General Catalogue of the Andalusian Historical Heritage of goods industrial heritage related to mining in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, by resolution of January 7, 2004 (BOJA No. 29 of 12 February 2004), assigning both the same location, just off Villaricos north. For Dolores cast its cadastral reference points (polygon 8, plot 97), and San Francisco Foundry UTM (609025.4123940).To add more confusion, in the vicinity of the smelter had found Hope. This was described in 1844 by mining engineer Ezquerro of Bayo as one of the three existing Almagrera metallurgical industries. It was built in 1842 by the owners of the rich mine Observation of Jaroso Barranco, to advance their own minerals. Popularly known as the Factory Cura, since the company was headed by the pastor of Cuevas del Almanzora. It had a large building occupying about 12,000 square meters, and worked with 8 smelters, 12 calcination, a reverberatory furnace and 4 cups. To wind the furnaces had a steam engine of 90 horses, and employed 90 workers. It was one of the factories production increased and more regular, reliable supply by having mine own, staying on until 1887, during the crisis of Almagrera mining.At present, given the scarcity of remains, it is very difficult to define which of them correspond.
San Francisco Javier Chimenea
The founder was St. Francis Xavier Also known as Huelin, by its builder, William Huelin. It was built in 1853, and was of large dimensions, by having 19 ovens.
The chimenea remained very active until 1884, when it ceased. In 1887 it was acquired by an English company that made ​​several modifications to melt minerals in The Blacksmith. Only the chimney has been in the highest part of the town of Palomares. The slag heaps found at the entrance of the village from the coast, may correspond to the nearby San Andres cast. Protection: Listed as Property # 23 in the registration collective in the General Catalogue of the Andalusian Historical Heritage of goods industrial heritage related to mining in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, by resolution of January 7, 2004 (BOJA No. 29 of 12 February 2004).
Palomeres Beach
This kilm was built in 1842 by the Society Heredros Rhodes and Company, Madrid, on the beach in Palomares.
The building would have been great, with 2 floors and 17 balconies. Furnaces had 5 beam, 3 reverbs, 2 ovens and 2 German English cupellation, which emptied into a large chimney of 80 meters, employing over 80 workers. He left to melt in the 70's of the nineteenth century, there is evidence that it had long stopped when it was established in 1881 in building a community of French Benedictine monks who founded a monastery that only lasted a year. Only kiln retains a circular shape, and a huge heap. It is located on the edge of the beach in Palomares, just behind the gas station. There is no kind of protection.

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Road Trip Spain

After returning from a road trip down the West Coast of America, I wondered why I had never tried something like this closer to home.  Then that little light bulb went off in my head – Road Trip Spain!  I had been to many of Spain’s Holiday destinations in the past so thought on this occasion I’d plan destinations I had either not spent much time in or discovered before.



I flew with Jet2 from Newcastle Airport into Malaga and picked another destination to fly back home from, which on this occasion was Murcia.  I considered ending in Portugal but when looking at the cost of hire car found that the prices became astronomical if you were returning the car to another country.
The route I planned was Malaga City – Tarifa – Cadiz - Seville – Cordoba – Granada – Almeria – Vera (as my Dad has a place there) and Cartagena to conclude.  Other destinations I would recommend are Rhonda and Marbella if you have never been before.
Tips when planning a road trip in Spain
1.       Check low cost airlines website to see where you can fly to from your local airport
2.       Check the cost of the hire car, from your pick-up and drop-off locations. 
3.       Give yourself a budget per night, before you start picking hotels.  I budgeted £50 per night,  you will find some come in cheaper and some more expensive, but make sure they balance out.  I managed to get some great 4 Star Hotels too
4.       Check the major hotel search websites Hotels.com, Expedia and Bookings.com and book with them via a Cashback website such as Quidco.  Booking via a Cashback website means extra savings, I found I saved a further 5% on my accommodation costs. 
5.       If you are booking in advance, check to see if the hotels you book are refundable or not.  If they are you can check prices again at a later date and if they are cheaper you can cancel your booking and re-book. 
6.       If possible try to pick hotels with Free Parking, where possible; otherwise budget 11-16 Euros per night in city centres.  You can also try parking on the street but make sure you get the hotel receptionist to translate the parking signs for you if you don’t speak Spanish.
7.       One other point about parking in Spain, the Spanish often bump their cars without concern.  When you walk down the streets in Spain, you can play the game, spot the car without any damage.  On this note, you may want to ensure your insurance covers all damage! 
8.       If you have a smartphone, install the app FourSquare.  We noticed some of the hotels we stayed at gave Free Breakfast if you checked in on the FourSquare App.



Malaga

At our first stop, Malaga, we stayed at the Barcelo right next to the Malaga’s main train station.  The hotel had a beautiful contemporary design and an interesting slide feature in reception that the occasional adult came flying down.  The location of the hotel was ok but if you don’t like walking or catching taxi’s you may prefer to be a little closer to the city.

Most British tourists bypass this city and head straight off to Marbella, but if you have time it is definitely worth a visit, it is after all one of the world’s oldest cities.  We started off walking through the beautiful botanical gardens which were full with an abundance of beautiful, unique plants and trees, we then walked up to The Alcazaba.  The Alcazaba was the palace-fortress of past muslim rulers Spain in the 11th century.  If you look up the huge hill from the Alcazaba, you can see the impressive Castillo de Gilbralfaro, which overlooks Malaga city, the port and the Bullring, this castle dates back to the 10th century.  At the bottom of the hill, as you leave the Alcazaba, on the right hand side we found the Roman Ampitheatre which dates back to the 1st century BC. 


Opposite the Roman Amphitheatre we found a street of fantastic tapas bars, we ate at the first one on the corner and had a fantastic lunch.  We then walked up this street and off to the left where we found the main shopping area, here, we found some unique shops.  Further into the evening the streets in this area came alive with more great bars and restaurants with  a great  friendly atmosphere.  We found Malaga to be a very popular destination for many of the American tourists that were there.



Tarifa
This has to be one of my favourite destinations on the south coast of Spain.  Tarifa is very much a kite-surfer town, so it goes without saying – be prepared for the wind!  If you want to learn to kitesuft it’s a great destination with many shops offering lessons and equipment at affordable prices.  




Peurto Santa Maria 
We stayed at the Bodega Real at Puerto Santa Maria.  It’s a great location if you’re a Sherry Wine and Brandy lover, as this  area is home to some of the largest Bodega’s including Terry and Osbourne’s.

Make sure you visit the Castle of San Marcos, which was constructed during the 10th Century and looks like the perfect sandcastle.

And if your an ice cream lover, make sure you check out the amazing Italian ice cream shop on calle Luna, called Da Massimo (that deliver’s too!).  Flavours included Nutella, Cheesecake and Ferraro Rocher.... yummy


On our first  evening we took a short dive over to Puerto Sherry


We also found 2 perfect pirate ships at Puerto Sherry



Cadiz
We took the catermaran (public transport) from Puerto Santa Maria where we were staying over to the city of Cadiz.  Torre Taviras, Camera Obscura
You could take a bus tour of Cadiz, but to be honest I don’t really see the point as the busses would never be able to go down the most interesting narrow streets, plus Cadiz is quite a small island anyway.

Jerez
We drove through Jerez on the way to Seville as I had been here before.  If you have time you may want to visit the Jerez School of Equestrian Art where you will find the beautiful white dancing horses

Seville
This is my favorite city in Spain.  We stayed at the Marriott AC Hotel, a modern hotel about 15 minutes walk from the city wall.  There were plenty of buses which stopped just at the back of the hotel, which take you straight into the city.  


Most of the city centre is pedestrianised and the thing we noticed first was how active the city was, with people running, using the city hire bikes, women roller blading with push chairs and rowing down the river.  It was great to see a city that coped so well without the car.


The buildings in Seville are simply breathtaking and the old buildings are very well  preserved.  The Cathedral and the Plaza de Espana in Maria Luisa Park, must not be missed!


Cordoba
By the time we arrived in Cordoba, we were a bit tired if old buildings.   Again there is a strong Roman and Islamic history in this city


The Roman Bridge


At night you may want to try out the ultra contemporary SOJO Ribera Lounge Bar on
Flamenco

We stayed at the El Triunfo Hostal, this was a great location, right next to the Roman Bridge, however I wouldn’t recommend it as I wasn’t impressed with the rooms, my first words the following morning we're "get me out of here".

Granada

You can't visit Granada without a trip to The Alhambra, in October it wasn't too busy but I heard the queues were bad so booked our tickets online through the Alhambra website. I booked a half day tour which took us through the most important parts of the Alhambra and also gave us a tour of the city.  It ended with entry into the Monastery of Saint Jerome in the city, I would definitely recommend you see the Altarpiece in the Church of St Jerome -  stunning!

Cabo de Gata, Almeria
We stayed at the Barcelo Cabo de Gata a newly built, modern hotel ocated right on the beach.  


Carboneras
The road between Carbonera and Mojácar is very scenic, it winds perilously through the hills some way inland, and offers only occasional access to some tempting beaches.


Mojacar - Vera Playa
We stayed at my Dad's house in Vera Playa which is close to Garrucha and Mojacar. Vera Playa boasts the world's best naturist beach, so that is an area to either embrace or avoid dependent upon your outlook.  There are some great bikini beaches at Mojacar Playa and there are plenty of beach bars and restaurants there too.  




Cartagena
Before I chose this destination on our road trip, I did some research on this city online.    I read that the city have undergone some regeneration, but I think it still has a way to go before it can compare to some of the others we visited.  However, on our day of exploring this city it was wet and drizzly.


We stayed at the Sercotel Hotel Carlos III which was a great affordable contemporary style hotel, just 15 minutes walk to the main shopping area. At the time of our visit if you check-in using the foursquare app for smartphones you could get free breakfast too :-)


Cartagena has a very strong naval history, along the modern harbour promenade, you will find ships of all sizes and some military ones too.  If you are really interested in naval history and diving, there is a great Naval Museum on the harbour and further along the port you can also find the Peral Submarine, the first practical submarine ever built.