Almería News

Huebro’s Virgen del Rosario: Annual Pilgrimage and Festivities

Published May 7, 2025 | Category: News

TL;DR: Huebro’s traditional pilgrimage returns in 2025 with a week of religious ceremonies, Andalusian culture, music, and community spirit in Níjar.

Virgen del Rosario: Huebro’s Annual Pilgrimage Returns in 2025

Procession of the Virgen del Rosario from Huebro to Níjar during annual pilgrimage

In the heart of the Sierra Alhamilla, the small village of Huebro celebrates one of its most significant annual events each spring: the pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen del Rosario. This age-old tradition blends spirituality, culture, and deep community roots, attracting not only local residents but also visitors from across the province.

The pilgrimage begins with a symbolic descent from Huebro to the church of Santa María de la Anunciación in Níjar. The image of the Virgin is carried on foot, accompanied by villagers dressed in traditional attire, ox-drawn carts, music, and tambourines echoing through the canyons. The journey of around four kilometers is both solemn and festive, uniting generations in a shared experience of faith and identity.

A Week of Religious Observance

Once the image reaches Níjar, it is placed at the altar for a full week of religious activity known as the Septenario. These seven days are filled with daily masses, candlelit processions, blessings of the sick, and prayers offered by local families. It’s a moment when the entire municipality pauses to reflect, participate, and reconnect with its roots.

Special attention is given to community participation: local children are presented in front of the Virgin, flowers are offered by neighborhood associations, and elderly residents are given seats of honor during the ceremonies. The church is often packed each evening, and the sound of bells and chants fills the surrounding streets.

Cultural Traditions in Full Color

The week is also a time for cultural expression. Outside the church and across town plazas, there are folk music concerts, flamenco performances, poetry readings, and artisan markets. Food stalls serve regional specialties like migas, tortas de chicharrones, and local wines, turning the religious festival into a celebration of Almería’s rural gastronomy.

Locals wear traditional dress throughout the week: women in embroidered shawls and floral skirts, men in sashes and wide-brimmed hats. It’s a living museum of Andalusian culture, where the past is not only remembered but embodied in the present moment.

The Return to Huebro

After seven days of devotion, the image of the Virgen del Rosario is returned to Huebro. This return journey is equally ceremonial, accompanied by singing, clapping, and final blessings. The Virgin is carried up the narrow winding path toward her hilltop chapel, where she remains for the rest of the year until the next spring’s festivities begin anew.

Upon arrival in Huebro, villagers celebrate with a community feast. Long tables are set in the village square, and families share homemade dishes while local musicians play. For many, this moment is the emotional highlight of the entire celebration — a reunion of generations, neighbors, and memory.

Nature, Silence, and Spiritual Reflection

Outside of the formal events, many visitors use this time to explore Huebro’s tranquil landscape. The area is ideal for short hikes, photography, and moments of peaceful reflection. The sound of water from ancient irrigation channels and the view over the Níjar valley offer a serene counterpoint to the busy celebrations.

Practical Information

The event is open to all, with no registration needed. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the descent and return. Níjar Town Hall usually publishes the full schedule of events a few weeks in advance, including the religious and cultural programming. Parking is available in Níjar, and shuttle services are sometimes offered for the return to Huebro.

For official updates and scheduling, visit the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Huebro-Níjar.

Looking for more local stories? Visit our Almería news page or explore more Towns & Villages.

Sustainability

Sustainable Projects in Almería.

Sustainable projects Almería and green infrastructure

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.

Looking for broader coverage? More Almería news

Almería News

Pulpí Geode to Reopen Mid-June After Safety Improvements

Interior view of the Pulpi geode in Mina Rica, Almería

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.

Interested in more activities & attractions in Almería? Explore here