Chirivel

Velez Rubio | Velez Blanco | Maria | Chirivel

Historically Chirivel has always been the location for inns, bars and hotels and is said to have the highest per capita consumption of beer in the whole of Spain!

Chirivel has always been an open area, with panoramic views and of great value to its inhabitants with its fertile lands and the lulling sounds of a flowing river.

The size and layout of Chirivel was determined by the type of cultivation in the area, and also the source and passage of the Rambla. The settlement of Chirivel, was halfway between Eliocroca (Lorca) and Basti(Baza) which was the base for the Roman troops. Since the 18th century various artefacts have been found such as old ruins, money, ceramics and mosaics. The most recent and spectacular find was a Marble statue representing Dionysos (a 2nd century Roman god). This can now be seen in the Archaeological Museum in Almeria. A copy of the image can be found in Chirivello park in Chirivel.

Chirivel became an autonomous community (municipality) on the 29 December 1858, because Queen Isabel II decided that the parishioners were worthy enough to warrant an independent council. The posture of Velez-Rubio, as head of the local ruling party at the time was "moderate opposition". There were things that needed to be done to lay down the boundaries for the towns and land in the area (vital for agriculture), the construction of private houses for the workers, and the election of politicians and town council.

After various litigation with Velez-Rubio, Maria and Oria, Chirivel tried to impose certain criteria to obtain a resolution favorable to their interests. The municipality of Chirivel consists of what once were small parts of Velez-Rubio, Maria and Oria. These 3 towns decided what grain would be planted for each of the towns (Maria = 125 fanegas (area) of Wheat, Velez-Rubio = 511 fanegas of Wheat, Oria = 155 fanegas of Wheat and 251 fanegas of Barley) and with this decided the conflicts stopped. In July of 1869, the Master of Works in Velez-Rubio, Gregorio Torrecillas, certified in the constitution that all had been concluded.

For this reason when you visit Chirivel you can notice the difference in comparison to the rest of the Commarca, they were not able to build large public buildings or private buildings as found in the rest of the region. The most outstanding dwellings are to be found grouped in an irregular layout in the streets of Real and Bellavista up to the church.

Inside the Velez region, Chirivel is a small town but with some peculiar characteristics. On the one hand it is an ancient town dating back to prehistoric times but has also been inhabited in Iberian, Roman and Arabian times because of its fertility and the river. On the other hand it is a modern town as it was not independent from Velez-Rubio until the end of the reign of the last Marquis.

Within the municipal limit there is a very important, little known part of the Nature reserve of Sierra Maria-Los Velez where a celebration known as "Rosary of the Dawn" takes place early in the morning on the 3rd Sunday of August. All the inhabitants join in singing popular hymns of the "Rosary". Other fiestas include the "Masses of Pleasure " which are celebrated at dawn, a few days before Christmas and the "Fire of St.Anton" which is celebrated on the night of the 5th of January.