Almería News

Cabezo María Church Found Inside Volcano in Almería

Published May 24, 2025 | Category: News

Archaeologists have confirmed the existence of a vast early Christian church inside a volcano in Antas, Almería — revealing a previously unknown Byzantine monastic enclave.

Cabezo María Volcano in Almería Reveals Hidden Byzantine-Era Church

In a groundbreaking discovery in Antas, Almería, archaeologists from the University of Granada have uncovered a large early Christian church carved directly into the rock of the extinct Cabezo María volcano. The structure, dated between the 5th and 8th centuries CE, features three naves and appears to have formed the center of a Byzantine-style religious community — the first of its kind found in Andalusia.

The research, led by MEMOLab researchers from the University of Granada, reveals a complex of monastic spaces resembling those found in Cappadocia, Turkey. These include cells and worship areas organized around a central church. The team believes the site may have been home to an elite group associated with the Byzantine army and a monastic congregation of the Eastern Church, long before the Great Schism.

Remarkably, the site shows no signs of military defense structures, indicating its primary function was spiritual rather than strategic. According to Román, “the layout suggests an evangelizing beacon in southeastern Iberia, focused entirely on religious worship and ritual.”

Excavations have also revealed imported pottery from Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, clay oil lamps decorated with the Paschal lamb — a key Christian symbol — and a Roman coin from the 4th century. These artifacts highlight the community’s connections to maritime trade routes across the Mediterranean, reinforcing the idea that this was a hub of early Christian faith.

The discovery also adds a deeper layer of historical context to the nearby hermitage of Virgen de la Cabeza, long considered a rural shrine without major historical significance. The findings now suggest this hilltop may have hosted one of the earliest Christian centers on the Iberian Peninsula.

The first public presentation of the site will take place in June during the First International Congress of Young Researchers in Prehistory and Archaeology, hosted in Antas. The local city council has pledged continued support for future excavations, recognizing the site’s importance as both a cultural treasure and a potential focal point for heritage tourism.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section.

Sustainability

Sustainable Projects in Almería.

Published May 28, 2025 | Category: Sustainability

Almería is no longer just Spain’s greenhouse capital — it is now a reference point for sustainable projects in Almería and across southern Europe.

Sustainable Projects in Almería: 6 Bold Plans Shaping a Greener Future

1. New €20.5M Recycling Facility
2. Toblerone Silo Urban Park
3. Mina de la Solana Restoration
4. Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture
5. University of Almería Carbon Plan
6. Smart City & ICC Program

1. New €20.5M Recycling Facility: Circular Economy in Action

Set to open in 2025, Almería’s new recycling facility represents a €20.5 million investment in circular economy infrastructure. The plant will use cutting-edge sorting and processing technologies to transform waste into reusable materials, cutting landfill dependency and lowering the province’s carbon output. It’s expected to serve as a regional model of high-capacity, low-impact waste management.

More details (Spanish): Junta de Andalucía

2. Toblerone Silo Urban Park: Green Space from Industrial Ruin

The abandoned Toblerone Silo, once used for iron ore storage, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Almería is turning this iconic structure and its surrounding zone into a sprawling green urban park. This project enhances biodiversity, provides valuable leisure space, and preserves an important piece of local history—an example of sustainable urban regeneration at its best.

3. Mina de la Solana Restoration: Healing the Sierra de Gádor

In Almócita, the historic Mina de la Solana mining site is receiving €1.7 million in funding for ecological rehabilitation. The Andalusian regional government is leading efforts to stabilize the terrain, replant native flora, and reduce the visual and environmental impact of former mining operations. The site is also expected to host nature trails and serve as a pilot for landscape restoration throughout the Sierra de Gádor.

4. Sustainable Agriculture in Almería’s Greenhouses

Known as the “Garden of Europe”, Almería’s massive sea of greenhouses is going green. Farmers are adopting sustainable practices such as:

Precision irrigation and rainwater reuse
Biodegradable mulching materials
Solar-powered operations
Integrated pest management

These sustainable projects in Almería are reducing environmental impact while keeping the region at the forefront of Europe’s fruit and vegetable production. The greenhouse sector is also experimenting with reflective materials that reduce land temperature and fight local climate warming.

5. University of Almería: Leading by Example

The University of Almería has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% in coming years. Its campus-wide sustainability plan includes building retrofits, solar installations, e-bike infrastructure, and educational programs on climate action. The university is positioning itself as a knowledge hub for green transformation and community involvement in sustainable policy.

6. Smart City Innovation: Almería in the ICC Program

Almería is one of the Spanish cities selected for the European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC). Under this initiative, the city is advancing its digital infrastructure to support:

Smart mobility and public transport
Energy-efficient street lighting and buildings
Citizen engagement through open data dashboards

The ICC program places Almería in an elite group of cities building sustainable futures through integrated urban planning, digital services, and environmental tech.

Almería’s Sustainability Map: A Connected Future

These six projects don’t stand alone. They’re part of a broader regional transformation where environmental goals, public innovation, and smart governance intersect. The synergy between port digitization (Smart Port Almería), green urban renewal, and eco-agriculture is positioning Almería as a testbed for Mediterranean sustainability.

Conclusion

From mountains to greenhouses, from the port to the university, Almería is redefining what a sustainable province looks like. These projects show that with the right vision and investment, even historically industrial or agricultural regions can lead the green transition.

For more on the sustainable transformation in Almería, visit our Sustainability section.

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Almería News

Pulpí Geode to Reopen Mid-June After Safety Improvements

Published May 26, 2025 | Category: Activities and Attractions

The Pulpi geode will reopen to visitors in mid-June after essential safety works. Tickets are already on sale for the summer season.

Pulpi Geode to Reopen Mid-June After Safety Improvements

The Pulpi geode — one of Almería’s most popular natural attractions — is set to reopen during the week of June 14, following a three-month closure. The site was temporarily closed in March to carry out safety works aimed at preventing rainwater leaks and small rockfalls inside Mina Rica.

According to the deputy mayor of Pulpí, Juan Bautista López, the external reinforcement works are now nearly finished. He confirmed that the reopening may happen even earlier than scheduled, and that ticket sales have resumed via the official Pulpí Town Council.

The geode, located inside an old silver and iron mine, is famous for its massive crystals and delicate structure. “This short closure gave the geode time to rest and reset. We’re excited to welcome visitors back under safer and improved conditions,” said López in a local radio interview.

Visitor numbers are expected to rise quickly, as summer demand is traditionally high for this unique site — considered one of the largest accessible geodes in the world.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section.

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