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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 5^th 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.

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 13^th century to the 14^th century was like, it has still not been possible to determine, at an archaeological level, its foundation in the 12^th 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.

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.

Related Topics:Excavations Historical Local Mojácar

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Mojácar Reinforces Its Position as a Destination of Excellence for Easter

Mojácar reinforces its position as a destination of excellence this Easter

Mojácar is preparing for one of the busiest Easter Weeks in recent years, with a forecast of a very high hotel occupancy rate and many establishments near to full capacity.

The combination of tradition, culture, privileged climate and a quality tourism offer has once again made Mojácar one of the Mediterranean’s favourite destinations.
According to data gathered by the Tourism Department, many hotels will reach 90% and 100% occupancy on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and others will exceed 85% in their average bookings for the whole week.

At the same time, some recently opened accommodation and several tourist apartments are still offering availability, which represents an opportunity for last minute visitors.

In addition to the excellent tourist response, Mojácar presents a full Easter Week programme with religious and cultural events in the heart of the old town. The processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will mark the most emotional moments, starting from the Santa María Church and going through the municipality’s most emblematic streets.

The spring-like weather will be another of the main attractions, with temperatures forecast to be between 22 and 25 degrees and no rain, ideal for enjoying both the religious events and the beach and open-air leisure.

The Local Council has activated a special mobility plan, reinforcing public transport between Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa for the enjoyment of both visitors and residents of the municipality

Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar, has been very positive about the response from the tourism sector: “Easter Week once again positions Mojácar as one of the leading destinations in the Mediterranean. Our offer combines tradition, culture, beach and fine cuisine, and that translates into an almost full occupancy rate”.

Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón highlighted the joint work that has made this success possible: “These figures are the result of coordinated work between Mojácar Council, business owners and tourism promoters. Mojácar offers much more than sun and beach, and increasingly more visitors are discovering it all year round, not just in summer.”.

With all these elements, Mojácar approaches an Easter Week marked by the high number of visitors, the quality of its tourism offer and the deeply-rooted nature of its traditions. The municipality thus reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable, welcoming and quality tourism model, consolidating itself as an essential destination not only in summer, but also at key times of year such as this Easter Week.

City News

Mojácar Dedicates a Plaza to Antonio Bonet Correo

Mojácar dedicates a square to Antonio Bonet Correo, a great figure in spanish art with a strong link to the municipality

Mojácar dedicates a plaza to Antonio Bonet Correo, a great figure in spanish art with a strong link to the municipality next Tuesday 15th of April at 5pm. Mojácar Council will pay tribute to the renowned art historian Antonio Bonet Correa, with the unveiling of this dedication in his memory and the official designation of the Plaza Antonio Bonet Correa, located in the Calle Salvia, a symbolic place next to the sea which from now on will bear his name.

Antonio Bonet Correa (1925-2020) was one of the great restorers of art historiography in Spain. An academic, professor and director of institutions such as the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Madrid Museum of Contemporary Art, he introduced new ways of interpreting art, connecting it with architecture, sociology and critical thought. His legacy also included the defence of artistic heritage, research into the Andalucian Baroque and the promotion of new aesthetic trends.

His link with Mojácar dates back to 1965, when he arrived in the municipality accompanied by his family. He discovered the village thanks to the geographer Horacio Capel, and from then he maintained a deep connection with its people, its architecture and its surroundings. He was a regular in the municipality for decades, actively participating in its cultural life, chairing the Mojácar Art Courses and promoting the arrival of great artists to the municipality.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted that: “Antonio Bonet Correa was able to see in Mojácar not only its scenic beauty, but also its value as a meeting point between tradition and modernity. He was an essential pillar in the promotion and dissemination of art in our municipality. With this square, we leave a record of his mark on our history and our way of understanding culture.”

Pedro Bonet, professor of recorder and director of the Baroque Music Group La Folía, and Antonio Bonet Correa’s son, commented: “My father was a restorer of the history of art in Spain, and his dedication was tireless up until his death five years ago. We are very grateful to the Local Council for this gesture that recognises not only his figure, but that of all those pioneers who were committed to the culture and beauty of Almería.”

Mojácar Council invites residents and visitors to take part in this emotionally charged event, marking another step in the locality’s commitment to cultural memory, art and the figures who have contributed to its enrichment.

City News

The Art of Enjoying the Landscape by Decorating Benches

Mojácar announces the competition “SentArte”: The art of enjoying the landscape by decorating benches. Mojácar Council, through its Culture and Tourism Departments, has officially launched the SentArte: the art of enjoying the landscape competition, an artistic initiative aimed at transforming street furniture into authentic works of art that enrich the most beautiful corners of the municipality and, at the same time, serve as an additional tourist attraction to boost the arrival of visitors. A project to sit, look and feel.

The competition aims to select creative and original proposals for the decoration of wood benches, which will be installed in unique locations in Mojácar, forming a route where art and landscape go hand in hand. The intention is that each bench will be an invitation not only to sit down, but also to contemplate and appreciate the surroundings.

“SentArte is an invitation to experience Mojácar in a different way. We want locals and visitors to rediscover our landscapes through pausing, art and sensitivity. We believe in culture as a tool for social transformation and in creativity as an engine for local development,” stated the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García.

The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, stressed that “this project allows us to highlight unique corners of Mojácar that often go unnoticed. We want art to serve as a guide for discovering these small landscape treasures that we have and, at the same time, to support and showcase the talent of our local artists.

The competition is open to artists, designers, architects and creators in any discipline. Each participant may submit up to three original sketches. Each proposal must include a title and a brief conceptual explanation (maximum 150 words).

The theme of the designs is free, being a requirement that the materials used must be resistant to inclement weather and continuous use. The works must be adapted to the measurements and characteristics of the model bench selected by the Local Council (“Romantic” model, tropical wood and cast iron legs).

SentArte seeks to turn a stroll through Mojácar into a unique experience, where creativity and natural beauty come together in each decorated bench. An artistic itinerary that invites you to sit down, observe and connect with the surroundings.

The complete rules of the competition, as well as the deadlines and entry requirements, are available on Mojácar Council’s official website.

Because in Mojácar, art also sits and admires the view.