Published December 11, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The Roquetas de Mar Christmas Nativity Scene at Castillo de Santa Ana has opened for the 2025 festive season. With more than 2,000 handcrafted figures, maritime traditions and new decorative scenes, it is one of the most impressive belenes in Almería. Open until 6 January.

Roquetas de Mar Christmas Nativity Scene Opens at Castillo de Santa Ana

The Roquetas de Mar Christmas Nativity Scene has become one of the most beloved festive traditions in the municipality. Each year, families, neighbours and visitors gather at the historic Castillo de Santa Ana to enjoy a unique belén that blends biblical storytelling with local heritage. The 2025 edition is now open, offering a rich and detailed experience throughout the holiday season.

Created and assembled by the Hermandad del Cristo del Mar, the nativity scene is the result of months of craftsmanship and preparation. Its inauguration marks the official start of the Christmas season in Roquetas de Mar, with cultural groups, residents and visitors gathering to celebrate the opening.

A Monumental Display Featuring More Than 2,000 Figures

This year’s Roquetas de Mar Christmas Nativity Scene occupies approximately 210 square metres inside the castle’s exhibition hall. The installation includes more than 2,000 handcrafted figures, showcasing both traditional biblical scenes and elements inspired by life in Roquetas de Mar.

One of the most striking additions is a large galleon representing the maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen and Santa Ana, a tradition deeply rooted in the identity of the town. Other miniature recreations highlight familiar local landmarks such as Las Salinas, the lighthouse and the Puerto de Roquetas, giving the display a strong connection to the municipality’s coastal character.

The belén also features a redesigned Egyptian area, updated scenes of the Three Wise Men and several illuminated water elements, making the visit especially enjoyable for families with children. Each corner of the installation is carefully lit and decorated, enhancing the atmosphere and inviting visitors to take their time exploring.

Opening Hours and Visitor Information

The nativity scene can be visited until 6 January with the following opening hours:

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00
• Sundays and public holidays: 11:00–13:00
• Mondays: Closed

This event forms part of the wider Christmas programme organised by the City of Roquetas de Mar, which also includes lights, concerts, workshops and family activities across the municipality.

A Festive Tradition for All Ages

The opening ceremony included a performance by the Coral Polifónica of Roquetas de Mar, which added a warm and musical touch to the event. With thousands of visitors expected over the coming weeks, the Roquetas de Mar Christmas Nativity Scene remains a key attraction during the holiday season and a beautiful example of the town’s cultural identity.

If you’re exploring festive activities in the municipality, you may also enjoy our guide to Christmas in Roquetas de Mar, which highlights lights, concerts, markets and family events across the town.

The nativity scene at Castillo de Santa Ana offers a rich, creative and family-friendly experience and stands out as one of the most charming Christmas traditions in Roquetas de Mar.

Looking for more Christmas events across Almería? Browse our latest updates in the Events section.

Published December 9, 2025 | Category: Activities & Attractions

TL;DR: More than €10 million has been invested in the Alcazaba of Almeria since 2019, culminating in the restoration of the Torre de la Justicia. A new €4 million programme will now advance the North Wall, lighting, and security systems. This marks one of the most significant preservation efforts in the monument’s modern history.

Alcazaba Almeria: A Historic Monument Enters a New Era of Restoration

The Alcazaba Almeria is not only the emblem of the city but one of the most important Islamic fortresses in Spain. Overlooking the Bay of Almeria from its dramatic hilltop position, the complex has witnessed more than a thousand years of history — from the era of the Caliphate to Christian rule and today’s conservation efforts. Now, thanks to over €10 million in restoration work since 2019, the monument is experiencing one of the most transformative periods in its modern life.

The Junta de Andalucía has confirmed the completion of the restoration of the Torre de la Justicia, the symbolic gateway to the fortress. Funded through the European Union’s Next Generation programme, this intervention is the latest milestone in a long-term strategy to secure the Alcazaba’s future, enhance its structural integrity and improve the visitor experience across the entire site.

A Fortress With Over 1,000 Years of History

The Alcazaba was founded in the 10th century during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, the first Caliph of Al-Andalus. Originally conceived as a military fortress, palace, administrative centre and defensive enclosure, the site expanded over centuries into three distinct walled areas. From the caliphal citadel to the Christian additions following the Reconquista, each phase left architectural layers that today form one of the most complete examples of Islamic military architecture in Europe.

Over time, exposure to the elements, humidity, structural settling and earlier restoration methods created a wide range of conservation challenges. For decades, only partial interventions were carried out — until the current multi-year programme began in 2019, aiming to stabilise, restore and reinterpret the monument for the 21st century.

Restoring the Torre de la Justicia

The newly completed restoration of the Torre de la Justicia responds to many of those long-standing issues. With a budget of €273,160, the project focused on structural consolidation, eliminating humidity problems, recovering volumes lost to erosion, and repairing historical masonry, brickwork and tapial. Outdated cement elements were removed and replaced with traditional lime-based materials, allowing the tower to breathe naturally once again.

The project, directed by architect Gerardo Francisco Úbeda Rueda, also upgraded interior installations, renewed nearby transit areas, and improved the tower’s surroundings — all while maintaining the authenticity of this historic entrance to the Alcazaba Almeria.

What €10 Million Has Achieved Across the Alcazaba

Since 2019, the conservation effort has touched almost every corner of the monument. Completed works include:

• First section of the North Wall
• Muro de la Vela
• Torre del Homenaje
• Caliphal Cistern
• Military Baths (Baños de la Tropa)
• Muralla del Cerro de San Cristóbal
• South Wall and South Tower
• Internal water supply network renovation

Together, these interventions form one of the largest coordinated restoration programmes carried out at the Alcazaba Almeria in recent memory. They strengthen its structural stability, enhance safety and accessibility, and open new possibilities for cultural use and visitor interpretation.

A New €4 Million Investment on the Horizon

The Junta de Andalucía has now announced a further €4 million for upcoming projects. These will include:

• Modernisation of the electrical and lighting systems (interior and exterior)
• Installation of new security, videovigilance and alarm systems
• Restoration of the second section of the North Wall

The basic design for the lighting and surveillance improvements is expected to be completed before the end of the year, while the restoration plan for the remaining North Wall has already been drafted and reviewed. These efforts will continue reinforcing the long-term preservation strategy of the Alcazaba Almeria.

Institutional Support and a Shared Vision for Heritage

The restoration works have been widely welcomed across provincial and local institutions. Almudena Morales, Vice President of the Provincial Council of Almeria, highlighted that the regional government has placed the Alcazaba firmly on its cultural agenda since 2019. The city’s Councillor for Urbanism, Eloísa Cabrera, also praised the progress, noting that the efforts align with other urban regeneration projects in the historic centre, such as La Hoya, San Cristóbal, the Casas Consistoriales and the renewed Plaza Vieja.

Ciavieja and the Archaeology of El Ejido

During her visit to the province, the regional Minister also travelled to the archaeological site of Ciavieja in El Ejido, a settlement with more than 3,000 years of documented human occupation. Highlights include ten ceramic vessels dated to around 5,000 years ago, selected for the ‘Artefacto’ programme of the Museum of Almeria. These finds deepen our understanding of prehistoric life in southeastern Iberia and reinforce the importance of safeguarding the region’s archaeological heritage.

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration between administrations to protect historical and artistic heritage, ensuring it is passed to future generations in a better state than we found it.

Discover more cultural landmarks, heritage stories and routes across the province in our Activities & Attractions section.

Published December 11, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Vera continues its cultural heritage restoration efforts with the repair of a 16th-century municipal minutes book and the conservation of the historic Royal Banner, safeguarding key documents and symbols of the town’s identity.

Vera Cultural Heritage Restoration: 16th-Century Archives and the Historic Royal Banner

The municipality of Vera has taken an important step in its ongoing cultural heritage restoration efforts, completing the repair of a 16th-century municipal minutes book and advancing the conservation of the town’s historic Royal Banner. Together, these projects reinforce Vera’s long-term commitment to protecting the documents and symbols that define its historical identity.

Restoring the 16th-Century Municipal Minutes Book

The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) has restored Book of Minutes No. 12, dating from 1571–1575. This volume is a key source for understanding Vera’s administrative history after the Reconquista and forms part of the town’s most valuable archival records.

Due to centuries of use, the book showed deterioration in bindings, pages and cover materials. The restoration has stabilised the document, repaired vulnerable folios and improved its long-term preservation so it can be safely consulted and studied.

The restoration was presented at Vera Town Hall by the Director General of the IAPH, Juan José Primo Jurado, alongside members of the Intervention Centre, the Mayor of Vera, Alfonso García Ramos, and the Councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antonio Jesús Soler Castaño.

Additional Archive Volumes Sent for Future Conservation

Two more municipal minutes books — No. 13 (1575–1579) and No. 14 (1579–1590) — were also delivered to the IAPH. They will now undergo technical assessment before their own conservation projects begin. These documents are crucial historical sources that illuminate political, economic and social life in Vera during the 16th century.

Preserving the Royal Banner of Vera

The IAPH is also working on the conservation of the Royal Banner of Vera, a crimson damask textile adorned with heraldic elements. Since the 1990s it has been displayed in the plenary hall of the Town Hall, framed for protection.

The banner is historically linked to the Charters of Vera (1494), granted by the Catholic Monarchs, although some research suggests that the heraldry may date from the era of Philip V. Regardless of origin, its symbolic significance for the municipality is unquestionable.

The conservation process aims to stabilise the textile, prevent further material degradation and ensure that the banner can continue to be displayed safely as one of Vera’s most important cultural icons.

Why Cultural Heritage Restoration Matters for Vera

These combined efforts highlight the importance of Vera cultural heritage restoration for the community. By protecting documents and symbols that are centuries old, the town ensures:

• The long-term preservation of irreplaceable historical sources.
• Support for academic and local historical research.
• A stronger civic identity rooted in documented heritage.
• A cultural legacy that can be shared with residents, schools and visitors.

The restoration work is carried out by the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) in collaboration with Vera Town Hall, strengthening one of the most significant cultural preservation initiatives in the municipality.

Want to explore more heritage, stories and community updates? Browse our Community section.

Published December 8, 2025 | Category: Towns & Villages

TL;DR: Mojacar is one of the most beautiful places in Almeria, especially in December when its whitewashed old town transforms into a magical setting filled with festive lights, markets and winter charm.

Mojacar: One of the most beautiful places in Almeria

Mojacar becomes a shining stage each December, turning its iconic whitewashed streets into a gorgeous Christmas setting. The Levante town has discovered its extraordinary potential for winter tourism, welcoming crowds eager to enjoy its lights, traditions and warm festive spirit.

A key moment in this transformation came in 2022, when Mojacar competed in the national Ferrero Rocher campaign “Together We Shine Brighter”. Although it did not take the top prize, the spotlight helped redefine the way the town celebrates Christmas — turning illumination into a major attraction for both locals and visitors.

Today, the official switch-on ceremony in Plaza Nueva has become a must-see event. As sunset arrives, Mojacar suddenly lights up: arches of golden light, three-dimensional figures and elegant garlands highlight the Moorish layout of the old town, creating a truly magical night-time landscape.

Each year, the Christmas design grows more sophisticated, with new themed areas and viewpoints that invite people to wander through the historic centre. The effect is both visually spectacular and emotionally warm — perfect for evening strolls and festive photos.

The winter experience goes beyond lights alone. Markets with handmade products, children’s activities, live music and special guided tours extend the celebration throughout December. Local businesses also join the initiative, adding to the seasonal offer and helping Christmas become a valuable second peak season for Mojacar’s economy.

Explore more coastal treasures, beautiful towns and hidden gems in our Travel Tips section.