Water Street (Berja)

The emblematic Water Street is one of the most important streets in the urban area of Berja. The urbanisation was developed around the street, because it is where the water flows from some of the largest springs.

It is known that in this street there were at least 7 fortified towers attached to homes, such as the Enciso Tower. In the battle of Berja, which resulted in the death of 1,400 Moorish, 600 of them died in this street, because of the trap set up by the Christian troops of the Marquis of Los Velez.

Warned by their spies of the imminent attack, the Christian troops let the Moorish enter the town through this and other long and narrow streets, confident that they would easily surround the encamped troops. Once inside, they were trapped by the Christian troops who locked them in the upper part of the streets so they could not defend themselves. The Christian troops sustained only 20 casualties.

As early as the 19th century, many mine owners and wealthy people of the time built their residences on this street. Some of these stately homes are preserved, such as the Jewel which houses the “Hotel Casa Palaciega”.