Connect with us

City News

Mojácar La Vieja Dig 2022 Underway in Mojácar

The work project for the Mojácar la Vieja archaeological site dig for the 2022 campaign has been officially presented, the works starting on 5th September and remaining active until the end of this month.

The MEMOLAb Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory, belonging to the University of Granada, along with Mojácar Council, gave an interesting informal talk at the Multi-Uses Centre to numerous local residents, which included the conclusions from the discoveries made over the years at the Mojácar dig site.

Emmanuel Agüero, the local authority’s Tourism Councillor, opened the speeches with thanks to the Valparaíso Foundation, as well as to the property owners of areas where the site is located, who have allowed greater access to the land for both the University of Granada and Mojácar Council to carry out this work. This support has made it possible for the Mojácar la Vieja site to today be part of the 2022-2025 General Investigation Plan, as well as making it easier to obtain more support from the State with regard to the 1.5% Cultural and other financial support, although Mojácar Council will continue to collaborate financially on this project, as well as the Patrimonio Inteligente (intelligent heritage) company.

Jorge Rouco Collazo, director of the Mojácar La Vieja General Investigation Project and MEMOLab member, has developed the planning of the Mojácar General Investigation Plan for these years. The group of investigators is made up of 18 investigators, the majority from MEMOLab, and another 13, external, who are professors and researchers from different universities and analysis centres, such as CSIC, both in Spain and the UK.

Advertisement

The general objective of the Mojácar la Vieja GIP is, essentially, to continue with the line of action of the three previous campaigns: to continue defining the sequence of occupation and the construction phases of the settlement; although it is now known what the phase of abandonment at the end of the 13th century to the 14th century was like, it has still not been possible to determine, at an archaeological level, its foundation in the 12th century.

As well as continuing to document the settlement itself, they also want to document what productive activities were carried out at that time and which provided their sustenance, both the handicraft activities and their relationship with the plain and food production labours. They are equally as interested in establishing the relations between the rest of the archaeological sites in the immediate surroundings, whether cultural or commercial, which would be maintained, among other points and almost certainly, with the north of Africa, as shown by ceramic remnants.

Parallel to these actions, it is planned to propose a conservation and maintenance plan that, as soon as possible, allows local residents and visitors to visit the site.

The two new areas which are going to be worked on are situated outside the fortification, outside the walls, one of them close to the entrance gate, where it is known, from the remains that can be seen with the naked eye, that there are more structures, and to check whether it is as built on as the interior.

Advertisement

At the other chosen point, on the south-east slope, they hope to find areas of handicraft production, as well as of homes, to put together the life of the Mojácar la Vieja residents.

The 2022 campaign has the assistance of 35 volunteers, history and archaeology students from different Spanish universities, being open as always to all those who want to help for the time they can on this work or pay a visit to the site, outside of the two official guided tours which are planned for September.

The archaeological activity carried out parallel to the excavation works is to be highlighted, centering on the study of the plain and the irrigation system, making maps and carrying out research, which from the first moment have been done with the irrigators, and which are of great importance for an overall understanding of what Mojácar la Vieja meant.

Advertisement

City News

Mojácar Breathes Anew: Summer Whispers Echo Through Ancient Streets and Along Sun-Kissed Shores

Mojácar Breathes Anew: Summer Whispers Echo Through Ancient Streets and Along Sun-Kissed Shores

There’s a particular hum that settles over Mojácar as early spring spills headlong into summer. It’s not just the rising mercury or the cicadas tuning their nightly orchestra. It’s a palpable shift, a collective inhalation before the joyful exhale of peak season. Here, perched dramatically between the rugged Sierra Cabrera mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean, Mojácar is stirring, shaking off the gentle slumber of spring and preparing to dazzle once more.

For the uninitiated, Mojácar exists in a captivating duality. There is Mojácar Pueblo, the old town: a labyrinthine marvel of blinding white cubes tumbling down a hillside, crowned by its resilient church and castle viewpoint. Its Moorish soul whispers from narrow alleyways, geranium-filled balconies cascade color, and every corner turned reveals a vista more breathtaking than the last. Then, there is Mojácar Playa, the vibrant coastal strip stretching below: miles of diverse beaches, bustling chiringuitos serving up grilled sardines and ice-cold cerveza, and a contemporary energy that complements the ancient wisdom of the village above.

Right now, the Pueblo feels particularly alive. The morning sun, already potent, casts sharp shadows that dance as you navigate the inclines. Local shop owners, custodians of ceramics painted with the town’s iconic Indalo Man good luck symbol, are meticulously arranging their wares. You can hear the cheerful clatter of cups from cafés tucked into tiny plazas, where conversations drift in Spanish and a growing number of international tongues. There’s an air of preparation; a fresh coat of white paint here, a newly planted bougainvillea there, all contributing to the town’s immaculate charm.

“It feels like a proper return,” muses Elena García, whose family has run a small artisan crafts shop near the Plaza Nueva for three generations. “The last few years had their uncertainties, but this year… this year feels fuerte. There’s a real optimism, a readiness to welcome everyone back to the Mojácar we love.”

Advertisement

This optimism is translating into tangible energy down on the Playa too. The promenades are busy with morning joggers and evening strollers. The diverse beaches, from the family-friendly sands of Playa de las Ventanicas to the more rugged coves further south, are being claimed by sun-seekers. New menus are appearing outside restaurants, promising the fresh bounty of the Almerian coast and land – gambas rojas, flavorful local tomatoes, expertly grilled meats. The beach clubs are tuning their sound systems, preparing for lazy afternoons that melt into starlit nights.

What truly marks the shift this year is the return and expansion of smaller, more intimate cultural events alongside the town’s established fiestas. Whispers abound about the upcoming ‘5 Estrellas’ a series of planned evenings throughout July and August. Imagine candlelit routes through the old Pueblo, pop-up acoustic music performances in hidden corners, perhaps even storytelling under the stars at the Castillo viewpoint, celebrating Mojácar’s myths and legends. While official details are still emerging, the anticipation adds another layer to the pre-summer buzz. It speaks to Mojácar’s enduring ability to blend its historical mystique with contemporary experiences.

Yet, even amidst the heightened energy, the soul of Mojácar remains constant. It’s in the enduring silence you can still find in a secluded alleyway at midday. It’s in the unwavering gaze of the Indalo Man, painted onto doorways. It’s in the staggering panorama from the Mirador del Castillo, where Africa feels tantalizingly close on a clear day. It’s in the simple pleasure of a ‘tinto de verano’ enjoyed as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in impossible shades of orange and purple.

Mojácar isn’t just preparing for visitors; it feels like it’s reclaiming its full, vibrant self. The light seems brighter, the sea bluer, the smiles wider. Whether you seek the timeless charm of the Pueblo or the lively pulse of the Playa, Mojácar stands ready, its ancient heart beating in time with the rhythm of the approaching summer. It’s a story written in sunlight on whitewashed walls, a story waiting for you to step into its pages.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

City News

Mojácar Gymnasts Stand Out in the Educational Rythmic Gymnastics Circuit

Mojácar Gymnasts Stand Out in the Educational Rythmic Gymnastics Circuit

The Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team had an outstanding participation in the 2024/2025 Educational Promotion Rhythmic Gymnastics Circuit held on the 8th of March in the locality of Balanegra. The event brought together teams from different municipalities in a competition which challenges the technical and artistic level of the young gymnasts.

The Mojácar athletes achieved podium positions in several categories:
Prebenjamín Category: Gold medal, demonstrating great coordination and precision in their performance.
Infant Category: Bronze medal, with an outstanding execution of their routines.
Carmen Torres (Infant Category, individual): Silver medal, with a brilliant performance that secured her second place.

The event saw a significant turnout of family members and supporters, who travelled to Balanegra to support the Mojácar gymnasts, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and motivation during each performance. The educational circuit’s main aim is the promotion of rhythmic gymnastics and sporting development in schools, allowing participants to improve their performance and strengthen their technique in a competitive environment.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, gave a positive assessment of the local team’s participation in the competition: “These kinds of events are essential for encouraging sports among the youngest. We take pride in seeing our gymnasts stand out on the provincial circuit, continually demonstrating their talent and effort.”

Advertisement

The Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, underlined the municipality’s commitment to grassroots sports development: “The Local Council will continue supporting our athletes, providing them with the necessary resources for their growth and encouraging participation in competitions like this, which are key for their development.”

The Mojácar gymnasts will continue their preparation for upcoming competitions, with the aim of continuing to represent the municipality and consolidate their progress in this discipline.

Continue Reading

City News

Mojácar 5 Estrellas Finalises the Musical Menu for Its Spectacular Second Edition

Mojácar 5 Estrellas Finalises the Musical Menu for Its Spectacular Second Edition

Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster complete the line-up headed by Iván Ferreiro. Mojácar 5 Estrellas or, in other words, a delicatessen menu for a festival that has already left its mark with just one edition and will do so again in its second edition next October.

This is what you can conclude from the new ingredients that are gradually being announced. Following the big surprise of Iván Ferreiro as the headliner, this week the line-up of Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster has been announced.

These are the names of the musical side of an event, the gastronomic part of which is still ‘slow-cooking’, and which will be announced shortly and will feature renowned chefs who will create the perfect pairing.

Mojácar 5 Estrellas will continue combining music and cuisine in an exceptional tourist enclave like the Almería locality on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October. An extension of the dates that means numerous complementary events will be added to the main day (Saturday the 4th) for the preceding and following days.

Advertisement

Mojácar 5 Estrellas is organised by Crash Music and Mojácar Council’s Culture Department and is sponsored by Almería Provincial Council, Costa de Almería, Sabores de Almería, the Junta de Andalucía, Macenas, Estrella de Levante, Cupra and Ecoinver.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, maintains that “this festival is a demonstration of Mojácar’s commitment to culture, music and gastronomy. We want to consolidate our position as a benchmark for tourism and leisure, and events such as Mojácar 5 Estrellas reinforce our position as a quality destination.”

Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, emphasizes that “Mojácar 5 Stars not only reinforces our image as a destination of excellence, but also boosts our local economy, attracting visitors and promoting our culture and traditions. It is a key event for continuing to position Mojácar on the national and international tourism scene’.

Diego Ferrón from Crash Music points out that “the second edition of Mojácar 5 Estrellas aims to grow both in the number of days and with a first-class line-up for lovers of multi-sensory experiences by bringing together the best music and cuisine in a quality setting’.

Advertisement

Iván Ferreiro (Nigrán-Galicia) is a composer of indie rock and pop rock music. He was for 13 years of his musical career the leader, singer and main songwriter of the renowned band Los Piratas, with whom they released 12 albums and left a great musical legacy that is still revered today. After separating from Los Piratas at the end of 2003, Iván decided to continue in the world of music, becoming an indisputable benchmark of quality with a creative talent that over the years has yet to reach its peak .

Pignoise is a Spanish pop punk band made up of former Real Madrid footballer Álvaro Benito (singer, guitarist and composer), Pablo Alonso Álvarez (bass and backing vocals) and Héctor Polo (drums). They recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, bringing together artists from different generations and with popular support at concerts. It is clear that Pignoise is a band that transcends generations. You only have to go along to one of their concerts to see it for yourself.

Hailing from Getxo, Paula Mattheus has won over the public with her mix of pop rock and sincere lyrics, full of experiences and emotions that reflect the heart of an authentic and approachable artist. Her music, marked by honesty, has consolidated her as one of the most promising emerging figures of recent years. Her constant exploration of sounds and themes and her connection with the public make her considered one of the artists with the brightest future.

Marlena has become one of the most iconic, brilliant and energetic pop and rock duos on the current scene. Formed by Ana Legazpi and Carolina Moyano, they are already one of the most powerful and promising acts in our country, with the authenticity of songs as successful as ‘Amor de verano’, ‘Último baile’, ‘Red flags’, ‘Me sabe mal’ and ‘Te vas a inventar’

Advertisement

Me & The Reptiles is a project made up of Mamen (Me DJ) and René (Reptile DJ), in which they mix the best national and international indietronica tracks, with occasional electric violin interventions. Their show is pure energy and fun, as they will demonstrate at Mojácar 5 Estrellas.

Continue Reading

Trending