Bacares is a small town located in the
Sierra de los Filabres. It is located at 1,206 meters above sea level, making it one of the towns located at the highest altitude in the province of Almeria.
Around the town are several hills, typical of the Sierra de Filabres. Of note are the “Tetica de Bacares” and “Calar Alto”, whose altitudes are 2,080 and 2,168 meters, respectively.
The town gets its name from the Arabic word “baqarah”, which means dairy farm or place of care for cattle. This economic activity continues to this day, accompanied by the work of the land, as crops of vegetables and fruits abound. However, mining was the economic stronghold of the town during the peak of production, which occurred between the last third of the 19th century and the middle of the 20th century.
Places of interest
Centuries of history are present in the monuments of this beautiful town. These include:
The Church of Saint Mary, built at the beginning of the 16th century, and which has a Mudejar architectural style. This is the resting place of the image of the Holy Christ of the Forest.
The Ethnographic Museum of Bacares, located along several streets of the municipality, recreating the various trades used in ancient times. The Castle of Bacares, whose construction date is not clear, although it denotes a marked Arab style. From it, one has an impressive view that dominates the entire valley and, of course, the two neighbourhoods that make up Bacares.
The
public laundries of Bacares, an open space that allows one to experience the way of life of times past.
The
Bacares Hermitage, which was originally built upon the settlement of the Christians after the reconquest. However, the current construction was rebuilt in 1866. Every year, on September 14, the Holy Christ of the Forest is carried in procession to the hermitage.
Tourism
The first thing that stands out in Bacares is the possibility of getting in touch with its history and characteristic cultural elements. To do this, you can take a splendid day trip in which you will pass by the Ethnographic Museum, the Bacares Castle, the Hermitage, the Church of Saint Mary, and the public laundry.
If you want to engage in sports outdoors, excursions to the surrounding hills are ideal. The “Tetica de Bacares”, at over 2,000 meters high, is an excellent challenge. If you want to increase the bet, there is a route that takes you to the Calar Alto astronomical observatory, which is one of the most important in all of Europe.
This nature tour isn’t complete without enjoying the different
routes and trails that run through the region. Also, Bacares has excellent gastronomy that is a delight in taste and smell.