Bayárcal towns in almeria Andalucia, Spain. Descriptions and photographs. Almeria

Bayárcal

Distance to the capital (Km): 84
Local Inhabitants: Bayarqueros
Number of Inhabitants: 334
Postal Code: 04479

Bayárcal, on the eastern side of the Alpujarras Natural Park, is, at 1258m above sea level, the highest village in the province of Almería. It sits above deep gullies on the edge of the Sierra Nevada, almost directly north of Adrá. Its origins are not certain but it was an important Moslem settlement, and after the expulsion of the Moors in 1570 was repopulated principally by people from Jaén.
It is a typical white village, its flat-roofed houses built haphazardly in terraces up the mountainside. A church tower, decorated with Moorish tiles, sticks up above the houses. In the past it was very famous for silk production. Today chestnut and fruit trees, particularly apple, grow on the terraces built by the Moors and are watered by their irrigation systems.
The village’s amazing views make Bayárcal a natural starting point for spectacular walks, including one to Puerta de la Ragua (2,000m above sea level), Andalusia’s highest pass. Other enjoyable activities are winter ones: cross-country skiing, dog sledge and horse sleigh rides.
The village boasts a good hotel and restaurants. There is a bus service from Almería.

Places of Interest
Church of the Virgen la Purísima
Parish church of San Francisco Javier, 16th century
The castle (which once controlled the Ragua Pass) in the Iniza beauty spot

Festivals
San Marcos, 25th April
Festival of the Cross, 3rd May
San Francisco Javier, 3rd and 4th December
Purísima Concepción, 8th December
Ánimas Days, last week in December, when groups go through the streets singing to collect money

Gastronomy
Kid in garlic. Wheat stew. Red Soup. Cured meats. Pig’s liver with onions. Turnip stew.
Sweets: Almond and honey cakes. Easter ring shaped cakes. Local wines.

Town Hall
Tel 950 512 848