Culturally significant landscape in Vélez-Blanco

Understand

The town of Vélez-Blanco is found in a rugged part of Spain, surrounded by the mountains of Sierra María. These are made up of limestone and dolomite, and include the peak Muela de Montalviche (1,554 m) to the north-east, Maimón Grande (1,761 m) to the south, Maimón Chico (1,307 m) to the south-west, and Cerro El Gabar (1,511 m) to the north. To the east, there is also a vast valley with a large, fertile plain owing to an abundance of water in the area.

This location, which is ideal for allowing the abundant natural resources of the area to be harnessed as well as for controlling the surroundings, led to a large number of settlements being established here from prehistory. The remains of these can be found in the area near Vélez-Blanco. In the Middle Ages, during the al-Andalus period, a large rocky elevation offering sweeping views of the surrounding area was chosen as the site on which to build a fortress. This marked the beginning of Vélez-Blanco. The castle allowed the surrounding area to be effectively controlled and defended, and was a key part of the military strategy of the Banda Morisca. Following its capture by the Crown of Castile in 1570, it continued to be used and later became the seat of the Marquesses of Los Vélez in the 16th century, undergoing significant changes in the process. As such, it remained a prominent landmark in the town as Vélez-Blanco gradually expanded between the 15th and 19th centuries within the confines of the rocky terrain. Vélez-Blanco belongs to the area known as Comarca de Los Vélez. It is located in the most northern part of the province of Almería at an altitude of 1,080 metres. The comarca is divided into four municipalities (Vélez-Blanco, María, Chirivel and Vélez-Rubio). With María on its western side and Vélez-Rubio on its southern side, Vélez-Blanco is the largest municipality and 30% of it falls within the Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park. The location of Vélez-Rubio in the northern-most part of Almería means it borders a number of different provinces and autonomous communities: Albacate (in Castilla-La Mancha), Granada (at the municipality of Puebla de Don Fadrique, in Andalusia), Jaén (in Andalusia) and Mu

Get in

This walking route takes place in the municipality of Vélez-Blanco, 164 km (102 mi) from the city of Almería and 120 km (75 mi) from the city of Murcia. It can be reached by roads A-7 and A-349 .

Drive

1 Balsa Parra Viewpoint: the town, plain and mountains Route: Balsa Parra street (start of the route), entering the town via the A-317 from Vélez-Rubio.

Located at the entrance to the town, the 1 Balsa Parra viewpoint offers panoramic views of the town with its houses perched on its eastern slope, as well as the terraces used for farming, the plain and 2 Sierra del Gigante, which 3 La Muela Grande is part of. The fact that the viewpoint is on the edge of a sharp slope gives visitors a unique experience and allows them to fully appreciate the vastness of the surrounding area. The plain in Vélez-Blanco represents a truly unique cultural landscape. It has been shaped by the erosion of rock as well as by the peoples that have called it home over the millennia. This can be seen in the hillside terraces built for farming during the al-Andalus period. These gave rise to an extensive infrastructure involving ditches, ponds, rivers, streams and fountains, which allowed farmers to irrigate and diversify their crops by efficiently harnessing the water available to them. This made the area particularly attractive for settlers. The terraces also serve to prevent erosion and keep the water within the landscape, thus ensuring it maintains its characteristic appearance. From the viewpoint, you can also see how the plain continues until it reaches the foothills of La Muela Grande, part of Sierra Gigante. This peak holds deep symbolism for locals and is an ever-present natural landmark and visual reference in the landscape and on this route. To the east, in the distance you can also see the south-east tip of the region of Murcia in the distance.

2 Fuente de los Caños de la Novia: downhill along Barranco de la Canastera Route: from Balsa Parra street, to Corredera avenue nº 5 (7 minutes).

Leaving behind the 4 Balsa Parra viewpoint, the route continues towards 5 avenida Corredera. Along this section, you can fully appreciate how the town has been built on the side of a hill. On Avenida Corredera, you will find 6 Caños de la Novia fountain. The crystal-clear water that flows out of this fountain is from the stream that runs through 7 Barranco de la Canastera This ravine

Stay safe

The places included on the route are safe and have low rates of crime. However, the usual safety precautions should be taken, such as locking your car and keeping your eye on your rucksack and other personal belongings. As in the rest of Spain, the Guardia Civil is responsible for policing the countryside, although Vélez-Blanco does have its own local police force. On many parts of the route, there are no areas of shade. As such, you should use sun cream and a hat when the weather is hot. A number of sections are not fully accessible and may require outdoor wear and walking boots.

Emergencies-112, ☏ 112. Guardia Civil, ☏ 062.

Stay healthy The hospitals nearest to the points along the route are:

1 Consultorio Vélez Blanco, Calle Arco, 4, 04830, Vélez-Blanco, Almería, ☏ +34 950 41 95 00. 2 Hospital Universitario de Torrecárdenas, Calle Hermandad de Donantes de Sangre, s/n., 04009, Almería, ☏ +34 950 01 61 14. 3 Hospital de La Inmaculada, Avda. Dra. Ana Parra, S/N 04600 Huércal-Overa, ☏ +34 950 02 91 76.