Published 01 September 2026 | Events

TL;DR: El Ejido’s Verano Cultural 2026 brought around 200 people to guided visits at archaeological and historic sites, including Ciavieja , Guardias Viejas, Balerma and Malerba.

Summer heritage visits across El Ejido

The latest edition of Verano Cultural has given residents and visitors a closer look at the historical and archaeological heritage of El Ejido. Organised by El Ejido Town Hall, the programme included six Saturday guided visits between 11 July and 22 August, attracting around 180 people according to the municipality and close to 200 overall.

The programme also included a separate visit to the Ciavieja archaeological site on 13 June, held as part of the European Archaeology Days. The Junta de Andalucia’s Culture Delegation took part by organising a children’s workshop focused on experimental archaeology.

Ciavieja visits

Three of the summer programme’s visits took place at Ciavieja, where visitors were able to see the work currently being carried out at the archaeological site and learn more about its ongoing research and conservation.

One project, recently completed, focused on consolidating and restoring Roman wall paintings and some of the structural remains documented during excavations carried out between 2020 and 2021. The work was directed by restorer Noemi Sanchez and included cleaning the preserved colours, securing the edges of the paintings, and stabilising the wall surfaces.

A second project is continuing at the site. Commissioned by El Ejido Town Hall and awarded to the University of Almeria, it combines excavation, conservation and the presentation of newly uncovered areas. The work is extending knowledge of the thermal complex identified in earlier investigations and is bringing to light rooms that had previously remained only partly excavated.

Although the intervention is still under way, the guided visits offered an opportunity to explain some of the preliminary findings and show how the site is being studied. Culture councillor Elena Gomez said the response demonstrated growing public interest in local heritage. She also highlighted the value of making research and conservation work accessible to the public.

Historic sites across the municipality

Ciavieja was not the only location included in the programme. The routes also visited Guardias Viejas Castle, Balerma Tower and the former Malerba Castle.

The old Malerba fortress was built in the 16th century to protect the settlement of Balerma before the present-day tower was constructed. The site has recently been the subject of a small archaeological excavation promoted by the town hall. According to the municipality, this work is a preliminary step towards larger interventions being planned by its Historical Heritage Unit.

The final guided visit was the Wim Kuipers Route. This itinerary links historic locations from different periods around Guardias Viejas Castle, presenting the area as part of a wider coastal landscape rather than focusing on a single monument or period.

The route also underlined the range of heritage found across El Ejido. The municipality’s cultural programme has shown sites connected with different phases of its history and located in several parts of the municipal area, from archaeological remains inland to defensive structures near the coast.

Exhibition at Guardias Viejas

Heritage-related activities continue this month with an exhibition at Guardias Viejas Castle. “Mi llampuga, que me busquen por la mar” features scientific illustrations of Mediterranean marine fauna by young artist Yolanda Ferron Hoscas.

The exhibition can be visited free of charge until 17 September. It adds a natural and maritime theme to the summer’s programme of activities linked to local history, traditions and the coastal environment.

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