Mojácar Pueblo towns in almeria Andalucia, Spain. Descriptions and photographs. Almeria

Mojácar Pueblo

Distance to the capital (Km): 91
Local Inhabitants: Mojaqueros
Number of Inhabitants: 4525
Postal Code: 04638
Tourist Office: Tel 950 615 025
Email info@mojacar.es

Perched on the mountains like a crown on a monarch, overlooking a unique landscape of mountains and pastures as far as the eye can see, falling down to the beautiful coastline, Mojácar is a fascinating place for visitors. You will hear many stories about this mysterious place, but one thing that is certain, the past has had a great influence on the look and feel of this beautiful village with its small winding streets, steep hills and white washed houses. The people of Mojácar (Mojaqueros) have been regarded over the years as a little odd, this mainly stems from the fact that there is a suspicion that they are descendents of the Moriscos (Moorish converts to Christianity) who somehow manage to elude expulsion by Philip III at the end of the Christian crusades.
The original site of the Pueblo actually stood on a hillock ‘Montem Sacrum (Holy Mountain), which can still be seen from the main viewing platform in the centre of the village. History tell us that ‘Mojácar la Vieja’ (Old Mojácar) was inhabited up until the middle of the 13th century and was governed by the Visigoths and later by the Moors. No reason can be found for the move to its current location, but it is thought the Old Mojácar was destroyed by an earthquake.
In the early 8th century, Mojácar belonged to the province of Tudmir until it was conquered by the sultan from Seville, Al-Mutamid. It is thought that in 1488 the Catholic Monarchs from Vera sent a captain to discuss the Sultans position. The Sultan agreed to live along side Christians and work the land if it was given to him and his people. They lived as brothers until the Moorish uprising in 1568 when many Moors were expelled from Spain.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries Mojácar was surrounded by a wall, the gate to this is still visible today, a semi-circular arch featuring the arms of the town and also a turret is all that remains today.
More recent history, or is it just a rumour? Is that Walt Disney was born in the village. Rumour has it that in 1940 three Americans came to Mojácar in search of the birth certificate of José Guirao, who was born in Mojácar in 1901, claiming that Walt and José were one and the same person. In 1940 communications were poor and Walt Disney would have been completely unknown to any locals, however, they did know about the laundry girl who fled Spain for Chicago with her newborn son. She didn’t complete the journey in good health and when she arrived the child was looked after by some neighbours, Elias and Flora Disney…
It is essential when visiting Mojácar that you buy one of the Indalo man talismans. This is believed to have a magical power, which will protect you and your home from the ‘evil eye’ and other bad spirits. Its origin is unclear, one theory is that an Almerian painter, Jesús de Perceval, created it as a logo for the Indaliano movement, influenced by naturism and mystical powers. The movement was renamed as a result of a documentary in 1939 when it was renamed Indalo. This little man with a rainbow of power over its head is still prevalent throughout the province today.

Places of Interest
Church and Fortress of Santa María, 16th and 19th centuries
Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, 18th and 19th centuries
Town Gate, 15th century
Fuente Mora (Fountain), 19th – 20th century
Mojácar Castle, 15th century

Festivals
San Isidro, 15th May
Moors and Christians, June
San Juan, 24th June
San Agustín, 28th August
Virgen del Rosario, 7th October

Gastronomy
Migas (Fried bread with garlic and spicy sausage). Gurullos (Fried bread with bacon, garlic and other ingredients). Cold garlic soup. Fish soup. Local fish dishes.

Town Hall
Tel 950 615 009
Email ayuntamiento@mojacar.es