Garrucha Almeria Spain, Andalucia. Descriptions and photographs. towns Almeria

Garrucha

Distance to the capital (Km): 93
Local Inhabitants: Garrucheros
Number of Inhabitants: 5001
Postal Code: 04630

A wonderful fishing port with plenty for all to see and do. With three ports: fishing, commercial and sports. The busy fishing port has been the lifeblood of this town for hundreds of years and still forms a substantial part of the commerce in the area. It is still a wonderful sight to see the fleet of fishing boats leave every morning during the early hours in a flurry of fishing activity, to return later with their catch which is auctioned on the dock side to housewives, chefs and tourists alike. Don’t worry if you don’t manage to get there in time, there are plenty of restaurants in this town where you can enjoy the freshest fish cooked in a variety of Spanish styles all day long.
The tourist slogan for the town is ‘Garrucha, Sun & Seafood’. If it were possible the slogan would be longer, and would include white sand, palm trees, promenade and life! The town has its own town hall, police station and a wonderful shopping area with an eclectic mix of stores selling food, clothes, electricals and local craft items. Every Friday there is a market, which spans the two main streets and has fresh vegetables as well as domestic stalls, clothes, rugs, bed linen and much more. Whilst exploring and enjoying the buzz of market activity, why not stop at one of the many tapas bars for a cup of coffee and a traditional Spanish tapa.
According to the Castilian Chronicles of 1327 Garrucha was previously called Almoraic and being a port it was a strategic area in times of war and over the years has actually had 3 fortresses built, although only one, The Castillo de Jesús Nazareno, still remains, the other two having been destroyed by war and the infamous earthquake of 1518. The Castillo de Jesús Nazareno is currently being restored and will become a venue for local cultural events, a very exciting prospect for the area.
Garrucha’s prosperity arrived with the discovery of silver mines in the area and around 1838 the rush was on. Having previously been a town bombarded by Berber pirates and other undesirables, it was a difficult place for settlers, but now it found itself being fought over by the towns of Mojácar and Vera who gained from taxes levied on the locals for their fishing catch and it wasn’t until 1861 that Garrucha finally gained full independence from these and other towns.
Now this wonderful hubbub of activity is a little gem with the only blue flag awarded to a coastal town beach. With its 2 km of promenade made of Macael marble peppered with little gardens and children’s play areas it is a great place to relax as well as enjoy the Spanish way of life.

Places of Interest
Church of San Joaquín
Chapel of Virgen del Carmen
Ruins of the Castle of Las Escobetas, 16th century
Harbour

Festivals
Carnival, February
Dia de la Vieja, 26th February
Holy Week
San Juan, 24th June
Virgen del Carmen, 16th July
Santa Asunción, August

Gastronomy
Their cuisine is mostly based on products from the sea with a great variety of fish and seafood.

Town Hall
Tel 950 460 058
Email al049alc@dipalme.org