Historical & Cultural Almuñecar – La Herradura

Castillo de San Miguel, also known as San Miguel Castle (St. Michael’s Castle) is perched high upon the hill above the Old Town of Almuñécar.  It is surrounded by whitewashed houses in the barrio of San Miguel.  This occupies the land once used by the Phoenicians and Romans.   It was also used in the Nasrid period for the dungeon.  While not a huge castle, it is in very good condition.  Inside there is a small museum with a scale model of what the area once was.

The Archaeological Museum Cueva de Siete Palacios, also known as the Cave of 7 Palaces.  It represents the largest section of the former Roman Palace.  The museum is located in what was once the basement of this Roman Palace.  Inside, there are remains of the historic past of Almuñécar.  Including remains found at the necropolis of Puente de Noy, Laurita, and the fish salting factory of El Majuelo.

The Roman Aqueduct runs from Almuñécar to the north of Torrecuevas, between the Rio Verde and Rio Seco.  It is believed to have been built in the first century AD, coinciding with the construction of the main Roman monuments in the city.

El Majuelo Park and botanical gardens are full of amazing plants, sculptures, and paths to meander.   You will also find authentic artisan workshops where you may see the artists work and purchase goods.  In addition, the view of the historic Phoenician and Roman Fish-Salting Factory and Castle are the best.  The Pièce de résistance is the wide variety of botanical plants within this park.  Often events are held in the botanical garden.

The 16th century Church of the Incarnation is perched on the hill in the old town of Almuñécar.  It is located just behind the Ayuntamineto (Town Hall).

Step back in time, thousands of years ago along Costa Tropical.   The waves from the beautiful blue sea were lapping on the shore, people were living here and making ceramics and crafts.  They were protected and surrounded by the lush Granada mountains and hills and life was good.  When people passed away, their burial grounds were placed on the hills, the Phoenician Necropolis.  People were buried in their tombs with goods and belongings, all right here on the Granada coast!

From what we have read, this little Roman bridge is from around 400 AD.  Almuñécar is along the coastal Roman trading route between Cartagena, Málaga, and Cádiz and this bridge is still in amazing condition. Located in the canyons of Cotobro.

Meander the pedestrian streets of Barrio San Miguel and you are in for a treat when you find the Municipal Pottery Center (Centro de Alfarería Municipal).  It’s a step back in time to the day of the Nasrid and Sexitanos, right in the heart of Almuñécar.  Located just around from the castle is a revived piece of history.  The Cerámica Alcaller is hidden in the old town walls above Majuelo Park and the perfect place to see authentic and traditional ceramics in Spain.

How about some flamenco in Almuñécar & La Herradura for that authentic Spanish experience?  If you are just visiting the area or perhaps you live here and have a guest coming to stay, either way, you should make some time for drinks, tapas, and a flamenco show.  We will share some of our favorite flamenco shows in town, which should have that local flair you are looking for.

The main tourist office is in a palace, just one block in from San Cristobal Beach, off of Calle Bikini.  It is just one block from Majuelo Botanical Park and a couple of blocks from San Miguel Castle.  This tourist office was once a palace and has some beautiful gardens to enjoy.  There is also a special little house on the property, which the kids will enjoy.

The monument to Phoenicians is located along the upper level of the Paseo del Altillo.  This is a tribute to the Phoenician culture and its contribution to the history of Almuñécar.  It was built after the Phoenician Necropolis was unearthed nearby and their ancient mysteries discovered.

La Herradura Castle has quite the history and is now an interactive museum honoring the 1562 shipwreck in the La Herradura bay.  We call it a castle, but it really was used for other purposes.

As you enter the town of La Herradura, you will notice a large bronze sculpture along the beach.  This is the Monument to Shipwrecked Sailors.   The deep bay of La Herradura hides the remains of 25 ships of the Spanish Navy, and more than five thousand sailors.  The La Herradura naval disaster occurred on October 19, 1562, due to a very large storm.

As you meander the pedestrian streets of old town Almuñécar, you are bound to happen upon the Calle Real Fountain.  This fountain was originally built in 1559, with remnants of the Roman aqueduct encased in glass beside the fountain.  It 1994, the Calle Real Fountain was restored to its current state.

When visiting Almuñécar, it is almost impossible not to notice the Blas Infante Arches (Puerta de Almuñécar).  As you pass by on the N340, you will see the Blas Infante Arches stand out amidst all of the tall trees.  This is a great meeting point in town, as it is easy to find.

The monument to water is one of the many monuments you will find around town.  This one, in particular, is very interesting to look at.  These are really three separate statues; three bronze torsos (one male and two females) leaping over fountains of water.  Because the artist created without heads or complete bodies, some think they are a work in progress, but we assure you they are complete.

Peñones del Santo is a natural monument with the addition of a man-made cross.  You may climb to the top of Peñones del Santo for vast views of Almuñécar and the beautiful cost of Granada beaches.  There is a large plaza at the top with a very large cross at the highest point.  The surrounding metal railings have become a location for people to leave behind their locks of love.

The Almuñécar City Council pays homage to the espetero and the espetos with a Monument next to the Paseo de San Cristóbal.

Picture a sentinel in an old stone watchtower, perched high up on the cliffs of Punta de la Mona.  He can see for miles out to sea and along the coastline, with mountainous lands jetting right into the sea.  He is there protecting the castles and the nearby villages.  There’s nothing but the rocky cliffs with the sea crashing below.  He has means to communicate with the neighboring watchtowers along the coast, via light signals.  This was the life of a watchman back in the 1700’s.

You can spend years living in an area, and pass by interesting historical sites, and not even know it.  This post will cover the Casillas de Peones Camineros (Road Workers’ House) in Almuñécar, but you can find them all over Spain.  It’s easy to overlook not only the building, but the role it played in keeping Almuñécar connected to the rest of Spain.