Purchena, is one of the many towns and places in Almeria

Purchena

Distance to Capital (Km) 111
Local Inhabitants: Purcheneros
Number of Inhabitants: 1,910
Postal code: 04870

Although small, Purchena is a unique area, with a rich history and in comparison to the arid environment, it is surprisingly fertile and green. With a small cluster of white houses in the middle of the Almanzora Valle, nestling in woodland it is like looking at a chocolate box cover.
Purchena is particularly well known for the Aben Humeya Moorish Games. Rekindled in 1993, these games are considered to be the missing link between the ancient Olympic Games and the modern world. Declared a national tourist event, the village goes back in time every August, when traditional sports are competed in, with traditional costume, folklore and craftwork entered into and displayed with much gusto.
Much of the economy of this area comes from the cultivation of oranges, olives and grapes. Its history, the people and the setting is wonderful and well worth a visit, during the games or not. The Castle, with its fortified water tower (Torre del Agua) is a must see. Construction began in the year 888 by the sailors of the Federative State of Pechina. Today you can still see the remains of houses, a well and of course the tower.

Places of Interest
Parish Church of San Ginés, 16th century
Castle and water tower
Chapel of Virgen del Carmen, 16th century
Remains of Los Churuletes
San Ginés Fountain, 19th century
Casa del Fiscal, 18th and 19th centuries
Municipal Archaeological Museum

Festivals
The burning of the doll, Ash Wednesday
The Night of the Signs, Easter Saturday night
St Marcos open air Festival, 25th April
Festival of the Virgen del Carmen, 16th July
San Ginés, 25th August
Procession of the Virgen del Carmen, end of August
Aben Humeya Moorish Games, August
Festival of Santa Lucia, 13th December

Gastronomy
Wheat stew. Cod balls. Fried rabbit. Migas de trigo (Fried bread with garlic and spicy sausage).
Sweets: Almond cakes. Fried ring-shaped cakes.

Town Hall
Tel 950 423 009
Email aytopurchena@andaluciajunta.es