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The
typical Andalusian village of Oria is located to the North of
the province of Almería, about 40 minutes from the beaches of
Mojácar. It is steeped in history, counting with scores of sites
of great archaeological and cultural interest: from the
Palaeolithic remains of the Argar culture, to the XVI century
basilica which is still used today.
After the
Moorish invasion of Spain in 711 AD Oria absorbed the invaders'
culture and became a melting pot of traditions, styles and
customs, some of which are still apparent today.
Most notable amongst these remnants are the many watch towers
scattered throughout the countryside, built to give early
warning of Christian incursion in the XI and XII
centuries.The scenery is truly spectacular, with high mountains
to the north and lazy rolling wheat fields in the lower valleys.
Today, Oria is an open community which maintains the values and
traditions of the real Spain while at the same time embracing
and welcoming outsiders to the community.
General
Oria is a
village
situated in the area of the Almanzora Valley, in the Sierra de
las Estancias, surrounded by bare hills and fields of cereals,
olive and almond trees.
History
With regards to its history, there are
archaeological remains in Picacho. From Al-Andalus times there
are a few mosques between Oria and Cerro Real. These mosques
formed the centre of devotion of the times.
The historian Jose Angel Tapia tells us
that “those hills of Oria were sacred places from Neolithic
times and that there were Iberian, Christian Roman-Visigothic,
and Mozarabic temples here in the Middle Ages”.
With the Christian conquest the Catholic
Monarchs gave these territories in 1492 to don Juan Chacon.
Before the War of the Alpujarras (1568-1570), Oria had 80
inhabitants. The Moorish revolt spread through the whole of the
Almanzora Basin. El Maleh formed a band of 150 men, who under
the orders of Sebastian Elquagaci, had the task of stirring up
the revolt in nearby villages. In Albox this band had special
significance as 40 Christians died and 13 women were taken
prisoner. Sebastian Elquagaci was captured and taken to Cuenca
where he was put on trial by the Inquisition. He was condemned
to having his property confiscated, perpetual dishonour and six
years in the galleys. With the end of the fighting, brought
about by don Juan of Austria in 1570, the Moors that were left
were expelled from the Kingdom of Granada and the repopulation
of Oria was carried out with old Christians.
Currently it has a population of about 2,400 inhabitants and the
majority of them make their living from agriculture.
Cuisine
Migas
(Bread fried with garlic and spicy sausage).
Puchero
(Stew). Caldo de huevos (Egg soup). Gurullos (A
flour, water and oil paste that breaks up to form grains).
Remojón. Pelotas (Dumplings and sausage). Choto a
la pastoril.
Trigo guisado (Cooked wheat).
Fritada de
sangre (Fried blood). Hornazo.
Sweets: Brandy Ring-shaped cakes. Orange
Ring-shaped cakes. Almond cakes. Suspiros (Flour, sugar
and egg sweet).
Festivals
-
Festival of San Gregorio, May.
-
Festival of the Virgen de las
Mercedes, August.
-
Moors and Christians festivities, May.
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