Village which is the capital of the region of los Velez and situated in the north of the province on the border with the province of Murcia. Within its municipal area you can go from the bottom of the gullies to the plains and hills and from there to the escarpments of great heights. It is included in the Sierra de Maria-Los Velez Natural Park, characterized by its continental Mediterranean climate, its rural mountains of calcareous and dolomitic material and its forests of pines and holm oaks. It is also known for the archeological wealth of its remains and caves.

The village, set upon a hill surrounded by a fertile plain is a group of buildings of varied styles and origins, according to the historic moment of the population. The most representative corresponds to the XVIII and XIX centuries, coinciding with the peaks in the village´s economy: the church of Ntra. Sra. de la Encarnación, a Historical-Artistic Monument; the church of Ntra. Sra. del Carmen; and a good number of buildings that form part of the local architecture: ancestral homes, landowners’ homes and modernist houses. All this produces a group of enormous architectonic interest.

• Distance from the Capital (km): 175

• Altitude above Sea Level (m): 838

• Area (km2): 282

• No of Inhabitants: 6463

History

Situated to the north of the province, it forms part of the region of Los Velez. Its current location dates from the end of the XV century due to the abandonment of the old city in el Castellón.

Although no remains from Upper Paleolithic times have been found, it is known that this area was populated in those times so long ago. There are remains from Neolithic times in the Cerro de Los López, with the existence of cabins, abundant ceramics and a lithic industry. We can also speak of the existence of remains from the Copper and Bronze Ages.

From the Roman period the traces are numerous in the region and in the current municipal area. The Roman road that joined Cartago to Castulo passed by here. During the Al-Andalus period it was called Velad al-Ahmar and it formed part of the area of Tudmir. In nazari times it was on the border between the kingdoms of Murcia and Granada. In the old settlement of el Castellón, a system of border surveillance was set up between Velad al-Hamar and the watchtowers of Charche and Fuente Alegre.

With the Christian conquest in 1488 it was incorporated definitively into the Crown of Castile and the Duke of Alba took possession of the castle. Later it formed part of the Marquisate of Los Velez. The primitive settlement was abandoned and at the beginning of the XVI century the new village began to form around St Peter´s church and the small fortress of Castillico.  It was during the XVIII and XIX centuries that the most significant urban development occurred.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Vélez Rubio is very influenced by the different moments of the year. At Christmas there is Arroz con pavo (Rice with turkey). In carnival they have Tortas de bacalao (Cod cakes), and at Lent, Chick pea stew with cod. Other traditional dishes are: Embutidos (Cured meats). Rollo. Migas (Bread fried with garlic and spicy sausage and accompanied with grapes or tomato). Olla gitana (Gypsy stew). Tortagachas de conejo (Rabbit). Gurullos (Bread fried in lard with ingredients such as garlic, spicy sausage and bacon among others). Ajipán (A type of garlic bread). Gachas (Made from flour, tomato, peppers, garlic, fish and oil). Trigo de vigilia (A meatless wheat dish). Remojón de pimientos secos (A dish with dried peppers) .

Sweets: Mostachones. Alfajores (Almond cakes).

Festivals

• Meeting of the Cuadrillas, held on 1 January. The cuadrillas de ánimas, musical singing groups, brighten up the streets with their bands of musicians. Groups from Almeria, Granada and Murcia come to this meeting and a dance competition is organized.

• St Joseph´s Festival, 19 March. Thre is an excursion to the countryside and the traditional hornazos (egg-filled cakes) are eaten.

• ivestock fair, 25 May.

• Spring Fair and Festivals, from 4 to 8 June.

• Summer festivities, from 1 to 6 August.

• Festival of the Virgen del Rosario, from 10 to 14 October.

• Festival of the Innocents. A group of people draw up a municipal proclamation in which people are sanctioned indiscriminately.