Huércal-Overa Almeria Spain, Andalucia. Descriptions and photographs. towns Almeria

Huércal Overa

Distance to the capital (Km): 115
Local Inhabitants: Huercalenses
Number of Inhabitants: 13839
Postal Code: 04600

This town is situated in the northeast of the province and borders with the province of Murcia. It sits in a varied landscape, which goes from green fertile land near the water source to semi desert in the dry hills.
Huércal-Overa has been a commercial centre since Phoenician, Greek and Roman times. With one of the most modern hospitals in the area and a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants and bars it still acts as a hub for the province. Apart from shopping, there is also a cinema showing English films on a regular basis and there are plenty of historical buildings to see.
One very notable building is the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, built in 1505 and the Chapel of Jesús Nazareno built in 1749 with an impressive statue of Jesús Nazareno carved by Franscisco Salzillo. A very religious town, Easter is a key point in their calendar when the Passion of Christ is celebrated and a procession, recently declared a National Tourist attraction, commences with statues carried by floats and people bedecked in white.
During the war of Independence the inhabitants gained themselves a heroic reputation for their stamina and strength throughout the fierce battles that raged in and around the village. During the XX century the various conflicts and in particular the Civil War affected the village and there are still remains in the area that show this.

Places of Interest
Church of Santa María de Nieva, 18th century
Parish Church of la Asunción, 18th century
Nazari Tower of Huércal, 13th to 15th century
Town Hall, 19th century
Wheat granary, 18th century
Bullring, 1901
Archaeological remains

Festivals
Night of lights, 8th February
Holy Week
Livestock Fair, 25th June
Virgen de la Asunción, 23rd to 30th October

Gastronomy
Rabbit with fried bread, garlic and other ingredients. Wheat stew. Kid in garlic. Partridge.
Almond cakes.
Local wine.

Town Hall
Tel 950 134 900
Email al053alc@dipalme.org