El Parador de las Hortichuelas – Church, Festivals and Colonization History

History

Between 1954 and 1967, the Instituto Nacional de Colonización (INC) developed El Parador de las Hortichuelas as a colonization village. El Parador de las Hortichuelas is considered the first newly established village built by this institute in the province of Almería. The Roquebús Route provides an opportunity to visit the colonization village of El Parador. The first and most significant development phase of El Parador was structured around a square laid out at the intersection of two roads. Thus, the origins of the settlement are shaped both by the period of its development and by the village’s original layout. The information about the route and the central square is directly part of this history of the village’s colonial foundation.

Church and Townscape

The present-day Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built in 1965 to a design by Francisco Langle. Its nave is 23 metres high. The choir surrounds the central space of the nave. The bell tower of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción rises above the surrounding houses and buildings. In the landscape, it serves as a prominent landmark and at the same time as a characteristic feature of El Parador’s identity. The church’s construction date, design, spatial layout and nave height make it a clearly identifiable part of the townscape. The bell tower rising above the buildings adds a widely recognisable vertical line to this architectural presence.

Parque Municipal

When it opened, the Parque Municipal de El Parador was made accessible to the public. The park features pedestrian and relaxation areas, as well as innovative children’s play areas themed around musical instruments. A calisthenics area is provided for outdoor exercise. The Parque Municipal de El Parador also includes a bandstand and a kiosk bar. Drinking fountains and public toilets complement the park’s aforementioned facilities. The various areas thus combine staying, playing and exercise within the same public space. The design of the children’s play areas takes musical instruments as its specific theme, while the calisthenics area is expressly intended for outdoor exercise. The bandstand, kiosk bar, drinking fountains and toilets expand the facilities beyond the paths and relaxation areas.

The children’s play areas derive their distinctive design from their connection with musical instruments, while the calisthenics area is expressly intended for outdoor exercise. Pedestrian areas and relaxation areas are just as much part of the park as the bandstand, kiosk bar, drinking fountains and public toilets.

Fiestas of San Isidro

The Fiestas del Parador de las Hortichuelas take place from 10 to 15 May in honour of San Isidro Labrador. Their programme includes cultural, sporting and religious events. The traditional celebration of San Isidro in El Parador includes a mass in honour of the patron saint at 8:00 p.m. on 15 May and a procession with San Isidro from 8:45 p.m. On 15 May, the two religious events therefore take place in the evening and follow one another at a fixed time interval. The festival period also encompasses several types of events and extends beyond the individual day of honour.

Other Places

Other places in Andalusia: Vicar, Vera, Alhama De Almería, Cuevas Del Almanzora, Armuña De Almanzora, Aguadulce, Beires, Terque.

To the main travel overview: Almeria.