Almeria

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Revision as of 18:32, 5 February 2012

Almería (Port of entry)

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	36°49.9′N, 2°27.8′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Satellite Image of Almeria Harbor Click for larger view

Overview

Almería is a fairly large commercial and fishing port in the district of Andalusia, Spain with a population of 176 338. It is not a tourist town and it seems very few people speak foreign languages. It is on the Costa Del Sol coast.

The name "Almería" stems from al-Meraya (Arabic, "the watchtower"), because of its magnificent Moorish castle, Alcazaba: among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia, only Alhambra is larger. The city was founded by Abd ar-Rahman III of Cordoba in 955 as a principal harbor in his extensive domain, to strengthen his Mediterranean defenses against the Fatimid caliphate in Tunisia. In this period, the port city of Almería reached its historical peak, continuing, after the fragmentation of the Caliphate of Cordoba, under powerful local muslim taifa emirs like Jairan, the first independent Emir of Almería and Cartagena and Almotacin the poet emir, both fearless warriors but also patrons of the arts. A silk industry, based upon plantings of mulberry trees in the hot dry landscape supported Almería in the 11th century and made its strategic harbour an even more valuable prize. Contested by the emirs of Granada and Valencia, Almería suffered many sieges, and one especially fierce when Christians, called to the Second Crusade by Pope Eugenius III, were also encouraged to fall upon the Muslim infidel on a more familiar coast. On that occasion Alfonso VII, at the head of mixed forces of Catalans, Genoese, Pisans and Franks led a crusade against the rich city, and Almería was occupied in October 1147. Within a decade it had passed to the control of the puritanical Almoravid emirs, and though its glorious culture was diminished, not until the late 15th century did it fell permanently into Christian hands, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, December 26, 1489.

The 16th century was for Almería a century of natural and human catastrophes, for there were at least four earthquake— of which the one in 1522 was especially violent— devastating the city. The people who had remained Muslim were expelled from Almería after the War of Las Alpujarras in 1568 and scattered across Spain. Landings and attacks by Berber pirates were also frequent in that century, and continued until the early 18th century. In that time, huge iron mines were discovered and French and British companies came to settle in the area, bringing renewed prosperity and bringing Almería back to a relative importance within Spain.

In the second half of the 20th century, Almería witnessed spectacular economic growth due to tourism and especially to its intensive agriculture with a world wide reputation, which has made Almería products familiar in any quality European market.

Almeria is the driest region in Europe as well as one of the warmest with an average annual temperature of 19° C. Due to its arid landscape, numerous "spaghetti westerns" were filmed in Almeria.

Local Weather

See Spain.

Charts

See Costa Del Sol.

Radio Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Also seeWorld Cruiser's Nets.

Check-in facilities

The yacht marina, operated by the Club del Mar, is the only place to go as yachts are not allowed in the main harbor. For entering/exiting Spain check with either of at the marina.

See also Procedures.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Club del Mar Marina

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

There is a small chandlery in the marina.

Repairs/Yards

There is a Jeanneau dealer within the marina and they also do some repairs.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

The fuel dock, outside the marina breakwater, has working hours 0900 to 1900

Water

On the marina docks

Electricity

On the marina docks

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The large Moorish castle, the Alcazaba (castle) overlooks the town. It is a "must see" and it is only a 15 minute walk from the marina. It is an Arab fortress built by the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd-er-Rahman, in the 16th century, with three huge walled enclosures (in the second of which are remains of a mosque, converted to a chapel by the Catholic kings). In times of war, the Alcazaba could hold an army of more than 20,000 men. From here, there is a good view of the city's famed cave quarter, Barrio de la Chanca and of the strange, fortified, Cathedral with its gothic style construction and renaissance facade. Within the fortress there is delightful garden.

The fortified Cathedral, in the town, is also worth a visit, as it is on the way to the castle.

The Alcazaba Click for larger view	The Garden in the Alcazaba Click for larger view
The Cathedral of Almeria Click for larger view	The Almeria City Hall Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There is a large supermarket in the entrance of a parking garage, just a few blocks from the marina

Eateries

• The Club de Mar (in the marina) seems to run the best restaurant in town, or so we were told

Internet/WiFi

?

Laundry

N/A (Not Available).

Motorbike & Car Rentals

?

Transportation

There is an international airport with flights to destinations within the EU.

Routes/Passages To/From

See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Almería
• Almería (Wikipedia)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• October 2004 --Istioploos 13:28, 22 June 2008 (MDT)

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