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

Sorbas

Distance to the capital (Km): 56
Local Inhabitants: Sorbeños
Number of Inhabitants: 2748
Postal Code: 04270

Set on the top of a mountain, with houses suspended over the edge of the mountain with the meandering River de Aguas below, this is a beautiful sight for all eyes. The river crosses extensive layers of gypsum running through deep canyons where the rainwater has created effects in caves such as the Agua and Covadura.
Known for its traditional pottery, still produced using Moorish ovens for firing, the ceramics are sold from the workshops in the Barrio de las Alfarerías that can be found in the village. The visitor centre, Los Yesares, is worth a visit. Situated in the Karst of Sorbas (an area of Natural Beauty), which protects some of the most important outcrops of gypsum in Europe. The Cueva del Agua and Cueva de Covadura go for several kilometres and date back to prehistoric times. You can have accompanied visits to the Cueva del Yeso and enjoy the spectacle for yourself.
Like most Spanish villages, the Catholic Monarchs, the Moors and the Christians, all added their stamp to the history of this town. At the end of the conflict the town was abandoned and was repopulated by 50 people from Jaén, Linares, Toledo among other places. The town’s prosperity, due to gypsum extraction, grew, as did its population.
Today, it is still a town of beauty, keeping with its pottery traditions and benefiting from the natural wonders of the gypsum caves which are all worthy of your time.

Places of Interest
Church of Santa María, 16th century
The Duke of Alba’s House
Building of the Agricultural Council
Theatre Villaespesa, 20th century
The Marquis of Carpio’s House
Archaeological remains
Remains of a castle
Alfarería district
Water mills
Yesos de Sorbas (Karst formations)

Festivals
May Crosses, 30th April to 3rd May
Nuestra Senora de Mayo Festival, 13th May
Procession of San Isidro, 15th May
San Roque, 14th – 17th August

Gastronomy
Cured meats. Gurullos (bread that has been soaked in water, squeezed out and fried in lard with ingredients such as garlic, spicy sausage, bacon…). Pelotas (Balls of flour and sausage).

Town Hall
Tel 950 364 109
Email al086alc@dipalme.org