Discover Vélez-Rubio: History, Festivals and Nature

The historic centre of Vélez-Rubio has been designated a Bien de Interés Cultural and preserves traditional architecture.

Culture

The Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is an important architectural example of the development from the late Baroque through Neoclassicism to Greek and Roman-inspired Preromanticism.

The Iglesia de la Encarnación stands on a broad plateau and is visible from every part of the town.

The Iglesia del Carmen is considered the oldest building in Vélez-Rubio; its main altarpiece dates from 1721.

The Convento María Inmaculada and its church date from the early 17th century; the bell tower features elements of the Mudéjar style.

The Palacio de las Damas Catequistas was converted into the Iglesia de San José in 1888.

The Palacio was formerly the home of the administrator of the Marqués de los Vélez and had previously served as the marquis’s grain store.

Its original courtyard and surrounding cloister were converted into a municipal exhibition space and multipurpose area.

Museums

The Museo Comarcal Velezano Miguel Guirao is housed in the former Hospital Real, dating from 1765, within the historic-artistic complex of Vélez-Rubio’s old town.

The museum’s collections range from the earliest stages of prehistory to historical objects from contemporary folk culture.

They also include models and reconstructions of rural life in Vélez.

The museum displays several thousand artefacts from the Comarca de Los Vélez and from other locations in the southeast, Andalusia and the Sahara.

The Centro de Interpretación offers a chronological tour through the various art styles that have particularly shaped the comarca.

Nature

Vélez-Rubio is one of the four municipalities that form part of the Sierra María-Los Vélez Nature Park.

The municipal tourist office provides local and regional information on the monumental and natural heritage.

It offers guided tours for nature routes and town visits in the comarca.

The Subida al Castellón route is a circular trail that begins and ends in Vélez-Rubio.

Festivals

The Semana Santa in Vélez-Rubio dates back in origin to the late 16th century.

In 2004, the Semana Santa de Vélez-Rubio was recognised as a festival of national tourist interest in Andalusia.

The Encuentro de Cuadrillas in Vélez-Rubio began in 1983 and is still held today.

At this Encuentro, dozens of Cuadrillas from different parts of the Province of Almería and from Murcia perform.

The Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen takes place over several days around 16 July and includes musical performances, children’s games, a Mass and a procession of the Virgin.

The Día de los Inocentes begins with a traditional street parade led by the alcalde de los inocentes and his guindillas, accompanied by the band of the Asociación Musical Velezana.

Other places

Discover more places here: Villaricos, El Ejido, Nijar, Garrucha, Balerma, Pechina, Instinción, Los Escullos.

To the main travel overview: Almeria.