The Spanish Fishing Village of Garrucha
Situated in the Spanish province of Almeria in northern Andalucia, the charming old fishing village of Garrucha has for many centuries been an important port for the Costa Almeria region.
Garrucha reached its height of importance during the 19th century when deposits of lead, silver, copper and iron were discovered in the area, leading to the development of a significant mining and exporting industry.
Garrucha's history however goes back much further than this, as there were settlers in the region going back to the Neolithic Era, subsequent Iberian settlements were replaced by those of Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
The first written references to Garrucha were during the 14th century when it was referred to as Almorac Nazari (taken from the Arabic).
It was after the Christian reconquest during the 15th and 16th centuries that Garrucha's port developed, at which time it was mostly revolving around the fishing industry.
When mining arrived during the 19th century, the town was known as La Pequeña San Sebastian (Small San Sebastian) and it attracted rich landowners and mine owners who built grand houses along the seafront of the town.
Perhaps the most significant change in Garrucha's history came during the 1960's and 1970's when Spain's tourism industry began to grow, and the fine climate and sandy beaches attracted holidaymakers from Spain and northern Europe.
Garrucha has however remained mostly unspoilt by the arrival of tourism, and retains much of its traditional Spanish feel.
Garrucha is especially well known for its seafood restaurants, some of the finest in the region, they specialize in fresh, locally caught fish, which are landed in the harbour each day.
Garrucha reached its height of importance during the 19th century when deposits of lead, silver, copper and iron were discovered in the area, leading to the development of a significant mining and exporting industry.
Garrucha's history however goes back much further than this, as there were settlers in the region going back to the Neolithic Era, subsequent Iberian settlements were replaced by those of Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.
The first written references to Garrucha were during the 14th century when it was referred to as Almorac Nazari (taken from the Arabic).
It was after the Christian reconquest during the 15th and 16th centuries that Garrucha's port developed, at which time it was mostly revolving around the fishing industry.
When mining arrived during the 19th century, the town was known as La Pequeña San Sebastian (Small San Sebastian) and it attracted rich landowners and mine owners who built grand houses along the seafront of the town.
Perhaps the most significant change in Garrucha's history came during the 1960's and 1970's when Spain's tourism industry began to grow, and the fine climate and sandy beaches attracted holidaymakers from Spain and northern Europe.
Garrucha has however remained mostly unspoilt by the arrival of tourism, and retains much of its traditional Spanish feel.
Garrucha is especially well known for its seafood restaurants, some of the finest in the region, they specialize in fresh, locally caught fish, which are landed in the harbour each day.
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