El Ejido, is one of the many towns and places in Almeria

El Ejido

Distance to the capital (Km): 32
Local Inhabitants: Ejidenses
Number of Inhabitants: 50170
Postal Code: 04700

To the west of Almería, 30 km inland from Roquetas de Mar on the N340, lies El Ejido, the booming centre of plastic greenhouse cultivation. The surrounding plain of salt flats and sand dunes, stretching from the hills of the Sierra de Gádor to the sea, is a shining sea of 64,000 acres of polythene canopies, producing fruit, flowers and salad vegetables, which make El Ejido one of the richest food producing areas in Andalusia. The growth of the town has been rapid; the population which was 2,000 in 1980 is now 50,000, and the town spreads 12 km along the highway.
The history of the area reaches back to Neolithic times and the Bronze Age. It was later the site of the Roman town of Murgi. During excavations in 1985 a 3rd century Roman mosaic was found and is now housed in the town’s cultural centre (Centro Cultural de El Ejido). Other sites are awaiting excavation. During the Middle Ages, ad up to the 1970´s, the land was used as pasture for livestock.
The town boasts some notable contemporary architecture including the award winning Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) whose adjoining Plaza is the focal point of the town.

Places of Interest
Archaeological remains including Ciavieja, 1800-1500 BC
Numerous Roman remains (see above), which also include El Daimun, a Roman family’s mausoleum
Fragments of 18th century Torre (tower) de Punta Entinas
Batería de Guardias Viejas 1170, restored to serve as a museum
Church of San Isidro, 20th century
The award winning Town Hall
House number 69, a family home in the street of the Inmaculada, also a prize winner

Festivals
San Marcos, 25th April
San Isidro Labrador, penultimate weekend in June
San Juan, 24th June
International Theatre Festival, held every Spring

Gastronomy
Kid in garlic. Migas (fried bread with garlic and spicy sausage). Pea omelette. Alpujarra dishes.
Sweets: Ring shaped cakes. Fried milk.

Town Hall
Tel 950 485 414
Email sim@elejido.org

Tourist Office
Tel 950 489 555
Email fomento@elejido.org