Maria
Velez Rubio | Velez Blanco | Maria | Chirivel
Situated on the North Face of the mountain, "Sierra Maria",
(2045m altitude), the village of Maria is situated at a height of 1200m. The
village has around 2000 inhabitants, around 14% of the total inhabitants of
the area. The area of Maria covers approx. 221.4km2, representing around 19.3%
of the land total of the comarca. Maria is the last town in the north of the
province of Almeria.
With impressive white mountains tops, the density of pine trees and the magnificent
panoramic views, Sierra Maria is very memorable. Two kilometres up the Sierra
Maria mountain can be found the shrine of "La Ermita de la Virgin de la
Cabeza", the oldest in the area.
The Maria climate is cold and dry in the winter, with warm temperatures in the summer. The area produces cereals, almonds and olives, along with sheep and pig farming. Maria is the least arid zone of the region and is known as the food store of Almeria for cereal crops. The extensive plain has been turned into fertile land where the cereals have different colours depending on the season and it is impressive to see the contrast between the golden cereal fields and the green of the mountains.
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The Spanish tourist board has promoted Maria as an ideal location for holiday-makers (to date, mostly Spanish) to get in touch with the environment, and to recuperate their strength to prepare them for everyday life. The area offers beautiful panoramic views of the mountains, crystal clear water and excellent hunting (partridges, rabbits, wild pigs etc.).
When the snows covers everything like a blanket, thousands of people visit the area to make the most of the rare opportunity. In the same way, the agreeable temperatures in the summer make Maria an ideal location to escape the heat and enjoy the scenery. There are two recreational areas integrated within the Natural Reserve - the Piza and Alamicos. In these areas there are fountains, barbecues, kiosques, bars and children's play area.
Maria is rich in monuments. You can find cave paintings in the Haza Cave and the Arabic Algibes in the Zalayos. You can also find the Parish church of the Incarnation - this church was built in sixteenth century and is one of the oldest in the region. The outstanding features of the building are the outside of the church - the tower and the lateral door, and on the inside the coffered ceiling and the altarpiece.
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