History

A mosaic of civilizations

The Almanzora Valley is one of the regions in which many civilizations have lived and is a true melting pot of cultures. The first human vestiges go back to the Paleolithic era where we can still see remains in the Cave of the Treasures in Bacares. From the Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman periods the nuclei of “Tagili” (Tíjola) or the Roman aqueduct of Albanchez are conserved.

But it was the Nasrid period that left greater architectural and cultural heritage in the region. An example of this is the multitude of constructions and archaeological remains that are preserved from this time. The conquest of the Catholic Monarchs and the repopulation of the area with people of Spanish origin led to the coexistence between the Moors and the “old Christians”, thus forging the spirit of tolerance that characterizes this land. In 1568 there was a revolt of the Moors and the bloody civil war ended with the final expulsion of the Moors of Spain in 1622. However, the Muslim footprint is very important as confirmed by the remains of alcazabas, ditches, oil mills and other samples of The Nasrid culture that still remain in El Valle del Almanzora.

The Renaissance period left numerous religious constructions and, later, the neoclassicism supposed the transition that ended giving way to the industrial revolution, in the 20th century. The mining industry and railroad construction were the economic and social pillars of that era.

At present, the exploitation and the elaboration of marble have turned the Valley of the Almanzora into one of the most appreciated producers of marble in the world.