TEXTO TRADUCIDO EN INGLÉS
HISTORY OF ALMERÍA
Almería, a city located in the southeast of Spain, has a rich and diverse history that spans from prehistoric times to the present day. Like many Mediterranean cities, its strategic location has made it a crossroads of civilizations over the centuries, shaping its identity and cultural heritage.
Origins and Early Settlements
The earliest settlements in the Almería area date back to prehistoric times. During the Copper Age (around 3000 BC), the Los Millares culture, near the current city, developed as one of the earliest complex civilizations on the Iberian Peninsula, with fortified walls, necropolises, and an advanced social structure. Later, the El Argar culture during the Bronze Age left significant traces in the region, with notable advancements in metallurgy and trade, which were key to the economic and social growth of the time.
Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman Periods
With the arrival of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians to the Almería coast, maritime trade gained great importance. During this period, the city and its surroundings became key points in Mediterranean trade routes. After the Punic Wars, Almería became part of the Roman Empire, integrated into the province of Hispania. The Romans developed infrastructure such as roads and aqueducts and exploited the region’s rich mines, which were abundant in gold and silver.
Almería During the Muslim Period
Almería’s golden age came during Muslim rule. In 955, Caliph Abd al-Rahman III founded the city of Al-Mariyya (meaning «The Mirror of the Sea»), which gave rise to modern-day Almería. During the Caliphate of Córdoba and later under the Taifa kingdoms, Almería became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean, serving as a major commercial hub. The port facilitated the trade of products like silk, spices, precious metals, and slaves, which enriched the city and attracted merchants from around the world.
During this time, Almería was also an important center for shipbuilding, constructing vessels for both trade and warfare. The Alcazaba, an imposing fortress that still dominates the city’s skyline, was built during this period and remains one of the most important monuments from Al-Andalus that has been preserved to this day.
The Reconquest and Decline
In 1489, during the Reconquest, the Catholic Monarchs captured Almería, integrating it into the Kingdom of Castile. This event marked the beginning of a long period of decline for the city. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Almería suffered from pirate attacks and several earthquakes that affected its development. The loss of its importance as a commercial port, along with the expulsion of the Moors, caused an economic downturn that lasted for several centuries.
Revival in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Almería’s resurgence began in the 19th century, driven by mining, especially the extraction of lead in the Sierra de Gádor and other minerals in the region. This mining boom revitalized the city’s economy and attracted foreign investors, leading to the development of infrastructure and communications. The arrival of the railway in 1895 connected Almería with the rest of Spain, facilitating trade and the transport of minerals.
In the 20th century, Almería experienced the effects of the Spanish Civil War, but in the following decades, it began to see significant growth, particularly in the agricultural sector. The development of intensive agriculture based on greenhouse farming transformed the province into one of Europe’s leading producers of fruits and vegetables, known as the «sea of plastic» due to the vast number of greenhouses that cover its landscape.
Almería Today
Today, Almería is a modern city that has managed to leverage its historical heritage and agricultural economy. Tourism also plays a key role, with visitors attracted to its coastline, natural landscapes like the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, and its rich history. The city continues to be a melting pot of cultures, shaped by its Muslim past, its industrial resurgence, and its leadership in modern agriculture.
